Drinking French: The Iconic Cocktails, Aperitifs, and Cafe Traditions of France,

If your fantasy vacation in France—to say nothing of your dreams of living there—doesn't include whiling away a sunny afternoon on a cafe terrace drinking coffee until it's time to switch to something alcoholic, then this book is not for you. However, if few things could be more satisfying, then Drinking French is a delightful way to simulate the experience on the western side of the Atlantic.

David Lebovitz, who has so deftly captured aspects of Parisian life in My Paris Kitchen, Sweet Life in Paris, and L'Appart offers here an entrancing guide to French beverages (and some lovely things to accompany them). There are recipes for coffee- and tea-based beverages, classic cocktails as well as tipples of Lebovitz's own invention, and simple little accompaniments like radishes with butter and gougères.

There are also many wry asides from Lebovitz on everything from inviting a new acquaintance to join you for a drink to the thrills of navigating Corsican backroads. Honestly, it's the Lebovitzian storytelling that makes this book a real treat. But the drinks are great too.

Hardcover. Color photographs throughout.