Snapshots: lights, camera, cocktail shaker...

A history of Hollywood films is seen through the characters’ favourite tipples

The Dude drinking white russians in The Big Lebowski, Mark Wahlberg sipping margaritas in Boogie Nights, Cate Blanchett’s Stoli martinis with a twist in Blue Jasmine: cocktails and Hollywood have history. Writer and presenter Will Francis has collected 64 of these moments in the book, Cocktails of the Movies (Prestel, £14.99), out this week. “Cocktails play a part in the visual language of film, like cars or clothes,” says Francis. “They have always been there saying something about the character.” Featuring original illustrations by Stacey Marsh, the book contains recipes, a history of the drinks and a description of their appearance in the film. “Hollywood and mixology are on this intertwined journey and the cocktails each have a history of their own,” says Francis.

Continue reading...