RAISE THE BAR

In charge of the booze? Master the very important job with these easy tips

Cocktail guru Jake Smyth, who oversees the good times at Sydney drinking haunts Mary’s, The Unicorn Hotel and The Lansdowne Hotel, says you only need three spirits to knock up a seemingly endless range of drinks and keep your crowd happy all weekend long. 1. GIN “Breakfast? Gin and orange juice. Tennis match? Gin and tonic. Sophisticated evening? Negroni. James Bond-style nightcap? Gin martini. It’s one of the greatest and most versatile spirits in the world.” 2. SWEET VERMOUTH “A vermouth and soda with breakfast will turn one hangover into the next.” 3. CAMPARI “Passiona for grown-ups. Makes for one hell of a spritz.”

AND 5 FUSS-FREE DRINKS TO MAKE WITH THEM • 30ml vermouth + 30ml Campari + 1 orange slice = AMERICANO

Stir in a glass full of ice, then add orange slice. • 50ml gin + 10ml vermouth + 2 olives = GIN MARTINI

Stir in a glass of ice, strain into a martini glass, then add olives. • 30ml gin + 30ml vermouth + 30ml Campari + 1 orange slice = NEGRONI

Stir in a glass full of ice, then add orange slice. • 30ml Campari + 100ml sparkling wine + 15ml soda water + 1 orange slice + 1 olive = CAMPARI SPRITZ Mix Campari and wine in a glass full of ice, top with soda, then add orange and olive on a toothpick. • 30ml vermouth + 30ml Campari + 100ml sparkling wine = SBAGLIATO Stir together in a glass full of ice.