A handy guide to start your cocktail mixing career

Useful cocktail books

Books are a great way of mugging up on the classics and getting ideas for your own creations. These are my standby tomes.

A Spot at the Bar by Michael Madrusan and Zara Young (Hardie Grant) Party Cocktails by Ian Wisniewski (Conran Octopus)

The Art of the Cocktail by Ben Reed (Ryland, Peters & Small)

Useful cocktail kit

I’d say that the only essentials are a jigger (measuring cup) and a Boston shaker, both of which can be bought online for peanuts. All other pieces of kit can be borrowed from the kitchen. I use:

Boston shaker

Jigger

Long bar spoon

Strainer

Martini glasses

Highball glasses

Shot glasses

Tumblers

Sharp knife

Chopping board

Fresh citrus fruit

Sugar syrup

Useful spirits and liqueurs

Most cocktails can be made using fairly basic-quality spirits although some require the best you can buy. However, you will need a selection of the following to get started.

Gin

Whisky/bourbon White/dark rum

Tequila

Cognac

Vermouth

Bitters

Triple Sec

Grand Marnier

Tia Maria/kahlua Crème de Menthe

Useful websites

If you can’t find the bottle you’re after for your cocktail, go online to Master of Malt (masterofmalt.com) or The Whisky Exchange (thewhiskyexchange.com), both of which stock every spirit/liqueur imaginable and deliver promptly. Difford’s Guide (diffordsguide.com ) is a brilliant compendium of recipes and advice if you’re lacking inspiration.

WITH THANKS The 12 cocktails featured here were mixed and photographed in The Bar at Hambleton Hall, Rutland. To book lunch, dinner or a Countryside Escape at Hambleton Hall, call 01572 756991 or visit: hambletonhall.com