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Eddie Muller’s Noir Bar Book Review

If you love film noir and cocktails, “Eddie Muller’s Noir Bar” is tailor made for you. 

The latest Turner Classic Movies book is a different kind of film book. Written by Eddie Muller (host of TCM’s Noir Alley program), “Eddie Muller’s Noir Bar” (AKA “Eddie Muller’s Noir Bar: Cocktails Inspired By The World Of Film Noir”) is a drinking companion book that pairs a classic film noir with a cocktail recipe inspired by the film. For instance, for 1946’s “The Killers,” Muller creates a variation on the Tom Collins drink called Kitty Collins (the character Ava Gardner plays in the film). 

Muller lists 50 films and 50 cocktails and also provides an intro, bar stocking tips, tools needed (ala a cocktail shaker, juicier, martini glass and what have you), suggestions on how to properly make a cocktail, and an index of ingredients to close the book out. Each film entry contains a written description of the film noir, tidbits about how the drink invention correlates with the film (or perhaps even some background on the drink like with “Nightmare Alley”), the alcoholic beverage recipe along with film stills and poster art.

Niche though it may be, this novelty book release is perfect for film noir buffs out there. Even if you aren’t a drinker, you might get some relatively obscure film noir recommendations along the way here like “Dr. Broadway,” “The Devil Thumbs A Ride, “Specter Of The Rose,” and “Wicked Woman.” Of course, a lot of the expected classics are listed here too such as “The Maltese Falcon,” “The Big Sleep,” and one of my personal favorites “The Asphalt Jungle.” 

What really struck me about the book is that it is clearly a passion project for Muller. His love of film noir is evident in every passage and it’s clear he wanted to express his admiration for the classic film genre with a fun creative project that pairs another passion of his with cocktails. Muller, who has bartending experience, really goes all in pairing a movie with a cocktail creation (although there are several established drinks listed). It’s all very thematic and it will undoubtedly motivate you to say sip on a Corpse Reviver No. 2 while watching “Decoy” too.

May 25, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Alcoholic Drinks, Cocktails, Eddie Muller's Noir Bar Book Review, Film Noir, noir, Turner Classic Movies