The Gin High Tea - Gin Cocktails: A Unique Coffee Table Book

Book slide

Sometimes the most exciting things happen completely unexpectedly. I am over the moon that Andreas Schmidt from ELBROEWER | publishing chose my project "The Gin High Tea - Gin Cocktails" - a coffee table book that is so different from traditional cocktail books. It was a huge surprise for me because I never thought anyone would be so interested in it. 

"The Gin High Tea - Gin Cocktails" is no ordinary cocktail book. Instead of standard photos, I created illustrations using a mixture of photos, collages, AI-generated images, 3D elements and Photoshop edits. These illustrations tell a story and give each cocktail a special touch. But the special thing about this book is that it's basically the autobiography of my drinking.

A few years ago, I discovered an ancient, tattered cocktail book in my parents' kitchen. The pages were yellowed and covered in grease and dust - a book that had obviously had a long life in various kitchens. It was full of notes and additions from various people who had adapted the recipes to their own preferences. This book no longer had a cover and was probably from the 1930s. I had it bound in a leather cover and have carried it with me on my travels ever since.

Since then, I have made it my mission to take this book with me to every bar I visit. I ask the bartenders if they can recreate the old drinks from the book. These experiences and the stories I have collected are the basis for "The Gin High Tea - Gin Cocktails". My aim is to show that cocktails and mixology don't have to be stiff and strict. I have met many mixologists and bartenders and appreciate their incredible creativity and dedication. But sometimes it can be disheartening to see how perfectly they make their cocktails. With my book, I want to show that cocktails don't have to be a science and that everyone can have fun with them.

You often hear that a drink needs a lemon zest and not a slice of lemon. Yes, that may be true. But some of these drinks are listed in original cocktail books from 1930, garnished with a slice of lemon or even a quarter of a lemon. Of course, this has changed in the meantime. Take the Tequila Sunrise, for example. In 1930, it was a completely different drink than it is today. Today, orange is mixed into it, which wasn't the case in the past. Everything moves back and forth and that shows the freedom we have with cocktails. Cocktails are a matter of taste. Cocktails are not a dictatorship. A recipe is a guide. And if the drink is too bitter for me and I like it sweeter, then I put more of the sweet in and less of the bitter and find a balance that suits me.

Try out classic recipes in an unconventional way, such as a Tequila Sunrise with gin instead of tequila or a Negroni with beer. It's all about finding your own taste and experimenting.

The stories in this book are deeply personal and reflect my travels and experiences. I remember the first bar where I opened the old cocktail book and asked the bartender to mix a classic drink. These moments are unforgettable and have taught me that cocktails are not just drinks, but experiences that bring people together and tell stories.

"The Gin High Tea - Gin Cocktails" is a high-quality printed coffee table book filled with beautiful illustrations and inspiring stories. It is printed in a large format (30×30 cm) on high-quality paper, making it a sensual experience to leaf through. It invites you to flip through the pages and be inspired by the stories and pictures. You can even use QR codes to call up audio guides with audio play elements that deepen the reading experience and take you to the places I talk about.

This project would not have been possible without Andreas and ELBROEWER | publishing. Their support has made it possible for me to publish this book in the quality I have always wanted. I am delighted that anyone who wants to be inspired by this book will be able to pre-order it in the fall.

For more information and to take a look at the book, visit the book's page.

The Gin High Tea
Gin cocktails

Cocktail book
Listen to my podcasts to find out more about my approaches and topics relating to mindfulness and personal development.

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Maxim Matthew

Maxim Matthew, born in Berlin in 1979, has lived and worked all over the world. With no formal training, he started early in the creative industry and developed into a creative director. Maxim founded a film production company and created his own gin. Today he focuses on storytelling and shares his experiences in the podcasts "The Gin High Tea" and "Echoes of Neverland - Beyond the Norm". His passion for stories is evident in his current young adult fantasy novels.

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