“Let’s Make Cocktails!” - Comic Book Mixology

The comic book medium is, by its very nature, flexible. Sequential storytelling need not be limited to superhero stories or dramatic tales. Indeed, as Scott McCloud famously pointed out in Understanding Comics, even airplane safety pamphlets are, at their core, comics. 

It is this flexibility that Let's Make Cocktails! Takes advantage of. Sarah Becan uses the medium of comics to share the history, techniques, and recipes behind the world’s most iconic cocktails. 

Written and Illustrated by Sarah Becan
Published by Ten Speed Graphic 

Published on April 7, 2026

Length: 192 Pages

Publisher’s Blurb: 

A fun and approachable comic book introduction to the wonderful world of cocktails, with tips for stocking your home bar and 60 recipes for classic drinks, from the co-author and illustrator of Let's Make Ramen! and Let's Make Dumplings!

Sarah Becan invites readers to wet their whistles in Let's Make Cocktails! Featuring her colorful, engaging illustrations that have become a series favorite, the book opens with insight on the proper tools, glassware, and staple ingredients such as juices, sodas, homemade syrups, and garnishes to always have in stock. With vivid, easy-to-follow graphics, Becan guides readers through basic techniques such as shaking, stirring, muddling, and more.  The book explores the origins, traditions, and popular legends surrounding foundational cocktails, including fun tidbits on drink accompaniments and occasions.

Review: 

I am a cocktail nerd. I’ve explored some of the seminary’s works on the topic and I have strong opinions about the “right” way to prepare cocktails. To my delight, I can see that Becan did, too. She cites liberally from the luminaries of the cocktail renaissance. When I saw her quote from cocktail historian David Wondrich, I knew we were in good hands. 

Cocktail culture is, at its core, storytelling culture. You can’t (or at least shouldn’t!) drink too many cocktails in one sitting. So the favorites we return to again and again often have delightful origin stories to make your evening tipple feel special. Becan uses her comic to share these stories. Not only will the reader understand how to mix drinks, they will understand what makes the drinks they are mixing so special. 

While I may gently take issue with some of Becan’s cocktail formulations (the old fashioned doesn’t traditionally include fruit), this is an excellent book for someone new to mixology. It succinctly covers the basics: how to mix drinks, what tools to use, defining the various categories or spirits, etc. It doesn’t get lost in the weeds. Beacon and her editor clearly worked to include only the most crucial information. This is a clear, succinct book. 

Let's Make Cocktails! Is exactly what it intends to be: an engaging and entertaining introduction to the world of cocktails using the medium of comics. I would be more than happy to add a copy to my cocktail book shelf or give this book as a gift to a friend starting their home bar. 

Thank you Ten Speed Graphic for providing a copy of this ebook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Cheers!

4/5 Stars