We’ve bottled everything we know about great cocktails into one beautiful book.
You know that feeling when something you’ve been working on for a really long time finally comes to life? The blood, the sweat, the tears – or in our case, the gin, the whiskey, the vodka – were all absolutely worth it? Well, we have something extremely special to share with you.
Introducing The Dan’s Cocktail Book – our first-ever book, and a project that’s been equal parts passion, perseverance and painstakingly precise stirring. Inside you’ll find 68 recipes you’ll actually use; impressive, not impossible; stylish, not snobby; and made for real homes, real fridges and real people who just want something good in their glass.
Because, let’s be honest, most of us are working with a sad little shelf above the toaster holding a few half-finished bottles and a dream. This book isn’t a bartender’s manual. It’s a practical, beautiful, mouth-watering guide to feeling confident when you’re staring at that shelf, wondering what on earth you can do with that leftover amaretto.
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Why we made it
At Dan’s Daily, we exist to make drinks make sense and to make learning about them enjoyable. And while our stories and recipes live beautifully online, there’s something about holding a book (and a drink) in your hands that just feels right.
The last time we ventured off the screen was last year’s cult-favourite Yuzu & Blood Orange Sour mixer. And it reminded us of something important: people want and need tools that make cocktailing at home realistic. So, we thought – why stop at mixers when we could make the whole playbook?
Like, I’m sure, so many of you, we love and cherish going out to a bar and having a perfectly crafted cocktail placed in our hands. But we also want to be able to bring that energy home, and serve it up for the people we love without spending a bomb on things we don’t need. And we don’t just want to tell people “Hey, you can actually do this” – we want to teach them how. From the right products at the right prices to the right advice, we want to make it genuinely achievable.
This book is an extension of that same legacy. It’s proof that great drinks belong to all of us, and that you can get so much more out of every bottle – whether you’re pulling out crystal coupes or chipped IKEA tumblers (or drinking straight from the NutriBullet – no judgement). You don’t need a degree in bartending (or a trust fund) to make something incredible. You just need a bottle or two, some curiosity, and a little know-how. Luckily, we’ve got you covered for all three.
Inside this hard-cover beauty you’ll find 68 recipes developed with two of Australia’s finest bartenders – Melbourne’s Matt Stirling (of #19 bar in the world Caretaker’s Cottage and the new Three Horses) and Matt Linklater (formerly Black Pearl, now Zareh). Every single one has been road-tested to perfection – which, yes, was as gruelling as it sounds.
The chapters are built for real life. Two-ingredient wonders for when mustering any more effort is out of the question. Twists on the classics for when you’re wanting to venture just out your comfort zone. Big-batch recipes for when your friends won’t stop inviting themselves over. Weekend projects for when you’re ready to level up (or procrastinate in the tastiest way possible). And so, so much more.
Between the recipes, you’ll find clever explainers and tips – from picking the right glassware to understanding ice and dilution, from building a home bar without blowing the budget to pairing cocktails with food. It’s equal parts recipe book and crash course in cocktail confidence.
And yes, it’s gorgeous. Every page is designed to look as good as the drinks taste – punchy, inviting and full of quiet flexes and hot tips for getting more out of every drink. It’s as at-home on your coffee table as it is next to your chopping board.
One of the perks of being Editor-in-Chief? I got to pick every recipe that made the cut and (crucially) help with that all-important taste-testing. Plenty of these have become absolute go-tos at my house, and whether you’re a tequila diehard, a gin fanatic, or you’re not one for ‘labels’, there’s something in here for you.
In case you need some help deciding where to start, these are my personal standouts:
Mandarin Sour – bright, silky and ridiculously versatile. I love this with everything from bourbon to vodka.
Lao Gan Martini – hear me out on chilli crisp and lemon sorbet. It slaps.
Raspberry Tequila Sangria – a summer showstopper that’s 90% vibes, 10% effort.
Oliveto – gin, lemon, olive oil. Sounds rogue, tastes like liquid sunshine.
The Dan’s Cocktail Book is available now, in every Dan Murphy’s store across the country and online. And because we’re big on value around these parts, it’s just $30 for My Dan’s members (down from $35) – which, if you ask us, is absurdly good value for a lifetime of impressive dinner-party moments.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to shake, stir or pour with confidence (and without YouTube ads interrupting you mid-shake), you’ll want to grab a copy before this limited run sells out. Also, hot tip: it makes a killer Christmas present. Wrap this bad boy up and call it a day – job done, legend status secured.
This book has been a colossal labour of love – from the first draft to the last perfect pour. It’s everything we love about drinking well: discovery, confidence, and the joy of sharing something great.
Working on this reminded me that drinks are really just an excuse – to slow down, to talk, to connect. And that’s exactly what this book is about. Well, that… and how to make a Freezer-Door Martini that’s so easy you could do it while reheating last night’s leftovers.
So, whether you’re a seasoned shaker or someone who’s only ever owned one bottle of vodka and a half-cut lime, this is your invitation to jump in. All that’s left to do now? Fill the ice tray, grab a copy of The Dan’s Cocktail Book and get started.
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