Cocktails

Guides for this shelf

• Drinking responsibly: the UK guidelines The UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines, what a unit is, alcohol and young people, and where to get help.
• Cocktail techniques: shake, stir, build and more When to shake and when to stir, plus building, muddling, double straining, layering, blending, rinsing and working with egg white.
• Ice: the most important cocktail ingredient Cubes, large blocks, cracked and crushed ice: which to use for which drink, how to make crushed ice at home, and keeping ice fresh.
• Garnishes: twists, wheels, rims and more How to cut a citrus twist and express its oils, salt and sugar rims, herbs, spices and the classic garnishes in IBA specifications.
• Home bar basics: kit, measures, syrups and bottles The essential tools, UK spirit measures, how to make sugar and honey syrups, fresh citrus, and a sensible starter set of bottles.
• Glassware: which glass for which drink Coupes, martini glasses, rocks, highballs and flutes; nonic pints, tulips and weizen glasses; Irish coffee glasses, and how to look after them.