[2] It contains a number of pioneering recipes, including the 20th Century and what later became the Margarita.

[4] A number of notable cocktails are detailed in the book, including the first recorded recipe of the 20th Century,[5] several references to absinthe[6] and some of the earliest known recipes for drinks made with tequila and vodka.

[2] An early reference to a possible precursor to the Margarita was in the book, where it was called a Picador, which did not require a salt-rimmed glass, but used almost the same 7:4:3 ratio (2:1:1 in the book) of concentrations of tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice (or lemon juice, which is not an official Margarita ingredient) and Cointreau triple sec.

[8] There was only one printing of the original edition of the book, and copies have become difficult to find.

In 2008 the UKBG, Universal Exposition of Wines and Spirits, and Mixellany Limited reproduced a facsimile edition.