Are you a Bosom Caresser or a Harvey Wallbanger? Can you tell a Moscow Mule from a Brass Monkey? Can you name Ernest Hemingway’s favourite tipple? All the kit, spirits, mixers, famous drinkers – and over 80 classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, plus tried and tested hangover cures for the morning after.

If you have friends coming round for drinks, or you're looking for the perfect accessory to take to a party, Gem Cocktails is the ideal quick-reference, bursting with information on everything you need to know to mix the perfect cocktail.

The fact-packed introduction examines the legends of how the cocktail was invented and tells the story of its climb to fame in Jazz Age America. It then looks at the secrets of mixing a great cocktail and what you’ll need to set up your own cocktail bar – what spirits, liqueurs and mixers to keep stocked up on, what equipment you'll need and which glasses to serve each cocktail in and how to garnish.

Nine drinks-based chapters then detail ingredients, assembly instructions and presentation for each cocktail and you'll even learn a little about the background to their creation.

Contents include:

• Introduction


• Rum-based cocktails


• Brandy-based cocktails


• Vodka-based cocktails


• The Classic Martini


• Whisky-based cocktails


• Champagne-based cocktails


• Shooters, slammers and tequila


• Non-alcoholic cocktails


• Hangover cures