From the Singapore Sling to a Bloody Mary, this book has everything you need to know about alcoholic drinks and how to mix them. Each drink type is highlighted with a colour photograph and details of how it is made and the expected taste. In this one-stop bartender's reference, there is a history of alcohol, a guide to bartending equipment, a glossary of drinks terminology, and information on how to mix, measure and pour drinks. There are then hundreds of cocktails, mixes and blends, with all the classics as well as new combinations. As many of us are health-conscious, there is also a section on safe drinking and tips on how to avoid hangovers, and plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails and mixes.

Stuart Walton has been writing about alcoholic drinks since the early 1990's. A prolific writer and commentator on wines and spirits, he is currently writing for BBC Homes and Antiques and Sherbet magazines. He is also the author of many titles on this subject.