Cocktail Therapy
The Brief
Cocktail Therapy is a mood-based recipe book that encourages readers to check in with their emotions and choose a drink to match. Designed with a clear, thoughtful layout, it stands out from typical cocktail books by offering a mocktail option for every recipe, making it customizable and accessible to everyone. By creating elevated drinks at home, it offers a stylish yet affordable way to have fun while staying on budget.
The goal was to create a recipe book catered toward young adults and professionals seeking to host parties or simply enjoy a cocktail at home offering a more affordable way to have fun in style while staying on a budget.
Design Approach
My vision for this project was to design a cookbook that gives off the vibe of an editorial magazine. It should double as an aesthetic piece for your living room table while remaining practical for creating original cocktail recipes. I wanted its seductive, high-contrast look to appeal to young adults interested in aesthetic lifestyle culture, as seen on social media.
It’s the kind of book meant to be both decorative and functional. Its visual language and tone reflect the contemporary language of Gen Z, with cocktail names like “Spill the Tea” and many others, accompanied by curated photos tailored to match each cocktail’s mood.
Production
The production process was quite tedious overall, with the most challenging part being curating the imagery and defining the art direction. I ensured each photo aligned cohesively with its corresponding recipe and section, using high-contrast, vibrant visuals that paired lifestyle shots with close-ups of the drinks.
Font selection was equally important: my vision was to create something sleek and elegant, yet timeless and contemporary. I combined a decorative typeface with a rounded sans-serif to unify the tone, while the glossy black cover with striking red interior accents reinforces a high-fashion aesthetic and maintains a refined, professional finish.
