Books

I am not 100% obsessed with digital media. In my free time, I like to do normal things, like drink cocktails and eat ribs. A few years ago, I wrote a few books dedicated to some of my favorite topics. It all started when I decided that I made the best Bloody Mary in the world, and decided to prove it by writing the first comprehensive book on the topic. That makes me “The World’s Foremost Expert on the Bloody Mary Cocktail.” Yes it does. Anyway, if you are a red blooded American, you will enjoy these books:

Bloody Mary: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Most Complex Cocktail

Have you ever wondered when the original Bloody was invented? Who makes the best prepared mix? Why a hangover makes you feel so bad? Here the answers to these questions – and any others you may have about this most complex, most varied cocktail: its invention at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, and the complete history, including a thorough discussion of the Bloody’s inspiration – the hangover: its biological causes as well as its best (and worst) cures; twenty variations, with classics such as the Red Snapper, regional variations like the Bloody Swedish Blonde, gourmet creations including the Surf and Turf, and celebrity concoctions from David Rosengarten, Dale Degroff, Sirio Maccioni, and Ernest Hemingway; directions for fifteen garnishes, from how to make the perfect lemon twist to recipes for the likes of chilled Cajun crawfish; an analysis of the most popular prepared mixes; and a guide to serving the Bloody in style – from the proper glassware to garnish presentation – and no-nonsense advice on responsible consumption. Thorough yet accessible, and suffused with charm and wit, the Bloody Mary will delight anyone who has ever enjoyed this unlikely concoction. (7 1/4 X 7 1/4, 132 pages, color photos)

Ribs: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Barbecuing and Grilling

“O’Hara’s book can help even the most citified people feel as though they’re in North Carolnia, Kansas City or Texas.

– Publishers Weekly

“Ribs will have you ready to stoke up the barbie before the snow’s finished melting….an everything-you-want-to-know guide.”

– New York Daily News

Christopher B. O’Hara, author of The Bloody Mary, brings you Ribs: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Barbecuing and Grilling. With dozens of color photographs and detailed recipes for over a dozen varieties of ribs and sauces, from Carolina baby-backs to Kansas City-style barbeque, this book will teach you how to make great-tasting ribs at home. Learn what cooking techniques work best, including recipes for sauces, rubs, glazes, and marinades. Sample exciting recipes for delectable baby-back, pork, beef ribs, spare ribs, and more. Discover the origins of ribs’ regional variations and sources for the most popular prepared sauces. Whether you’re braising, smoking, grilling, or barbecuing, you won’t want to be without this mouthwatering cookbook. (71/4 X 71/4, 116 pages, color photos)

The Ultimate Chili Book: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Gourmet Recipes and the Perfect Four-Alarm Bowl

Why is chili called “chili”? Where did the dish originate? What are the relative merits of bean and no-bean chili? Find out in this definitive guide to “the ultimate bowl of red.” More than a cookbook, The Ultimate Chili Book covers chili legend and fact, lists common and uncommon ingredients (plus indispensable implements), details the ins and outs of proper chili consumption, and takes us to legendary places in the American chili world. In addition, it offers more than 30 traditional and innovative recipes – from Texas-Style Chili and Cincinnati Chili, to Grilled Rib-Eye Chili and Grilled Corn and Chicken Chili. Illustrated throughout with full-color photographs, The Ultimate Chili Book provides a savory update on a culinary classic. (7 1/4 x 7 1/4, 112 pages, color photos, recipes)

Hot Toddies: Mulled Wine, Buttered Rum, Spiced Cider, and Other Soul-Warming Winter Drinks

“Some prefer not to spend the holidays sober, and O’Hara’s guide is the book for them.”

–Publisher’s Weekly

When the weather outside is frightful, what could be more delightful than a hot toddy? From the scent of nutmeg-laced hot buttered rum to the fizz of a poinsettia cocktail, there’s nothing like a classic winter drink to bring true festivity to the season. And it’s easy as pie—whipping up an eggnog from scratch is a whole lot simpler than cooking the perfect turkey, and your guests will appreciate the gesture as much as the taste. From spiced cider to champagne punch, Hot Toddies is the perfect little collection of winter refreshments, with fail-safe recipes that will make any holiday party shine. These delicious seasonal drink ideas are as perfect for wintertime as a cold smoothie is for summer. Rather than offering guests the same lackluster wine, heat it with sweet spices, spike it with Aquavit, and serve up an authentic Swedish glögg for some true Christmas spirit. Tempt friends with the luscious richness of chocolate eggnog, topped with real chocolate whipped cream. Curl up on a blustery winter’s day with a steamy, frothy Irish coffee, or combine apple cider, bourbon, and spices for a Thanksgiving Day batch of harvest moon punch. In addition to these flavorful recipes, useful tips on everything from keeping punch cold to stocking a bar will help you concoct special drinks all winter long—even the whole year round.  Whether it’s a stocking stuffer, a hostess gift, or a great addition to your next holiday party, Hot Toddies is the perfect guide to celebrating the season.

Wing It!: Delectable Recipes for Everyone’s Favorite Bar Snack

Who can pass up a platter of chicken wings? Spicy, crunchy, indulgent, and delicious, they’re simply irresistible. Here at last is the definitive collection of recipes for the inveterate wing lover, filled with easy, addictive recipes that run from classic to exotic. Author Christopher B. O’Hara has collected a wide range of fabulous recipes, including classic wings (such as Original Anchor Bar Buffalo Wings, Mahogany Wings, and Easy Sesame Wings), wings with spicy international flavors (like Barbecued Thai Chicken Wings and Tandoori Wings), and plenty of BBQ wings from all over the South (from the vinegary North Carolina-Style to Deep South Mustard-Based Barbecue). And since the only thing that’s better than a savory wing is one that’s paired with a creamy sauce, Wing It! includes plenty of dips, such as traditional Roquefort Blue Cheese, spicy Chipotle Ranch, and easy Honey Mustard. With detailed instructions on baking, grilling, and frying wings, hot sauce information, and gorgeous photographs throughout, Wing It! is the all-in-one solution to anytime chicken wing cravings—just add celery sticks and some beer!

Great American Beer: 50 Brands That Shaped the 20th Century

#1 on Esquire’s “Man at His Best” List

“Low-brow food expert Christoper O’Hara (Wing It!, The Bloody Mary) turns his attention to classic American beers in this entertaining look at timeless brands. Opening with an overview of beer’s place in American society, O’Hara succinctly chronicles the evolution of the industry from the first settlers to bring Bavarian yeast across the Atlantic in the mid-1800s, to the megabrands that dominate store shelves today. But it’s his collection of fifty classic American beers that will keep readers misty-eyed, reminiscing about stalwarts like Olde Frothingslosh and Schaefer, or long-lost friends like Buckeye and Lowenbrau. This book doesn’t cover esoteric artisan beers-these are the beers you swiped from your father’s fridge and bought by the case in college, “the beers to have when you’re having more than one.” Each beer gets its own biography, complete with history, location and advertising jingles. Illustrated with product photos and original advertising, and packed with trivia (the first beer with a “born on” date? Lucky Lager, 60 years before Budweiser), O’Hara’s book is a great read for aficionados whose tastes run more toward the Rockies than the Rhine.” –Publishers Weekly

There was a time when one income could support a family, when American-made automobiles were the best on the market, when you could eat a steak without thinking of cholesterol, and when Milwaukee was the beer capital of the world. Back then, you drank beer—not lager, stout, or IPA—just plain old great American beer.  The ultimate guide to the classic brews and legendary brands of the past two centuries, Great American Beer is packed with full-color photos of beer memorabilia from the heyday of this country’s beer revolution and brief histories of fifty brands that left their mark on generations of beer drinkers. Infused with fact, lore, and an ample dose of tongue-in-cheek humor, Great American Beer lures you into the America where these legendary beers were born and rose to prominence as regional favorites. If you’re a beer drinker who knows that Schlitz offers “just the kiss of the hops” or who can recite the Budweiser Manifesto by heart, this book’s for you.

Hot Toddies Deck

From the scent of nutmeg-laced hot buttered rum to the fizz of a poinsettia cocktail, there’s nothing like a classic winter drink to bring true festivity to the season. In this convenient recipe deck, you’ll discover that whipping up eggnog from scratch is a whole lot simpler than cooking the perfect turkey. Divided into easy-to-reference sections, this deck includes recipes for nogs, ciders, festive punches, and classic holiday cocktails. You’ll also find advice for keeping a well-stocked bar and tips for serving a large crowd.