Margarita in Retrograde; Cocktails for Every Sign, Reviewed

 Sometimes it’s not easy to find something new in cookbooks. There are days when I feel as though everything has already been done. That is certainly not the case in this new, cute little volume Margarita in Retrograde; Cocktails for Every Sign by Vanessa Li and Bowen Goh, co-owners of Mood Ring, scheduled for release on April 19th.

While I must admit to reading the occasional horoscope in the newspaper, and I did have my astrological chart plotted when I was in college, it’s not something that I tend to be totally on board with. That said, this book, divided into categories by astrological sign, really had me pegged when it came to cocktails.

The PLUR (an acronym for peace, love, unity, respect), is a measured combination of a cocktail that I have poured for myself, willy-nilly. The wonderful mix of aviation gin and St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and topped with Prosecco, is unexpected, complex, and refreshing, much like this Libra girl herself.

Each astrological sign featured has four signature cocktails suitable for the personality of the individual who possesses that star sign. Names range from the humorous “Butt Massage” (Taurus), to the more apologetic “Sorry I Ghosted You” (Sagittarius), to the innocence of “I Like You a Latte” (Virgo), to the whimsical “Miss Piggy Fan Club”(Gemini). There are also cocktails specific to the period when mercury is in retrograde and Saturn returns. Suggested dates for the various star signs are also included although, truth be told, mine was way off the mark.

The book is clever, and will certainly be a great topic for conversation, but it is useful as well. It provides information on how to set up a homemade bar, what glassware to use, as well as information as to the possible personality types you can expect from various star signs.

While there’s nothing scientific to this at all, it is great fun, and the plethora of recipes is cleverly named, uncommon, and delicious. The authors are co-owners of Brooklyn’s bar, Mood Ring, a bar that is, allegedly “astrologically attuned.”  If you’re familiar with that bar, then this is a must have. If you’re not, I think it would certainly be a worthy addition to your cocktail bar or cookbook library.

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 Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Margarita in Retrograde from Abrams Books as a member of their Abrams Dinner Party 2021-2022.