Drink Lightly

Natasha David, an award-winning bartender behind New York City's Nitecap, offers 100 recipes for drinks with little or no alcohol. She works with the growing range of low-proof spirits, liqueurs and wines, along with fruit and herb infusions, to go well beyond the familiar pairing of a bitter liqueur and soda.

The drinks are fizzy and light in effect but layered in flavor, shifting from savory and herbal to floral and aromatic depending on your mood. Examples include the Kitty Cat Chronicles, spiked with Lillet Rouge, and the Wiggle Room, a vermouth and soda that evokes a tropical getaway. The recipes take their cues from everyday rhythms of life and time spent with others.

The book is arranged by occasion: Gulpabale Thirst Quenchers for refreshment, Party Starters for groups, Decadent Treats for frothy indulgence, Slow Sippers for the end of the night, and non-alcoholic pick-me-ups. Its playful tone makes it useful to both beginners and experienced bartenders.