Category Is: Cocktails! Mixed Drinks Inspired by Legendary Drag Performers

Category Is: Cocktails! features original recipes for 60 cocktails and zero-proof drinks, alongside beautifully-rendered illustrations and profiles of the personalities who inspired them. The drag legends here run the gamut: designers, dancers, comedians, community activists, contortionists, Emmy winners, and Broadway actors. The book includes drag’s big names, such as stars of reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race Kim Chi, Trixie Mattel, and Latrice Royale, to scene stalwarts Divine and Peaches Christ, to international performers like Pabllo Vittar and Pangina Heals—as well as culturally significant figures, like vaudevillian king Annie Hindle and activist Stormé DeLarverie.

While the drinks in most drag bars could easily fuel a transatlantic flight, this collection puts forth a radical thought: drag performers and their fans deserve better. The tipples here are equal parts delicious and quirky, featuring unusual but easily-sourced ingredients. Along with straightforward recipes, the authors cover the basics of preparing, garnishing, and serving mixed drinks. Armed with these brilliant concoctions and some deep-dive diva trivia, this terrific resource will make you the life of your next cocktail party.

Here's a review from Laura Hadland

If you’re looking for a gift for the gay who has everything, then look no further Category is: Cocktails! is the book for you. It’s the light hearted, flamboyant mixed drinks recipe guide that we didn’t know we needed. Written by David Dodge and David Orton, this is a sizeable book that jumps off the shelf at you thanks to its bold neon cover.

Inside, you’ll find all the details you need to start making these delectable concoctions at home. There is an introductory section giving beginners an overview of the different equipment, glasses and ingredients. Then you just need to pick your favourite drag performer – or your favourite flavour – and let your imagination run wild.

This book is actually a who’s who of the US drag community first, and a cocktail book second. It’s a great read to just settle on the sofa and enjoy. Or dip in when you are thirsty! Each page, beautifully and boldly illustrated by Cheyne Gallarde, gives a biography of the performers and then outlines why their drink was chosen. Happily, drag queens, kings and non binary performers come in all flavours and the book really reflects that. There are performers of all colours and ethnicities featured, as well as queens with disabilities, making this as inclusive a book as you would hope to see.

The recipe on each page is given in a side box. Each has an illustration, ingredients and short, concise instructions on how to make it. It’s a great book for people just getting into mixing their own drinks, as well as having plenty of quirky inspiration for people looking to up their game. Whatever mood you’re in, from frivolous and fruity to dark and brooding, there’s a drink to suit your mood. There are plenty of recipes bringing a little spice – more than you might normally expect. From Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur to Valentina hot sauce (the most popular brand in Mexico, and drag artist Valentina’s name inspiration) the performers are really bringing the heat.

I was delighted to see a number of alcohol free recipes in there too, but just sprinkled in with the general flow of the book rather than being squirrelled away in their own section. It’s fantastic to see zero proof options being normalised in this way.

If you’re a Drag Race fan, then I think you’ll enjoy finding out more about the stars, and the wider drag community. The recipes are fun and simple to make. All of the text is engaging and occasionally the language is a little spicy! This is a lovely little book to remind you that the world doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Bring a little sparkle to your beverages.