If you want to spend your time enjoying your next BBQ without having to keep fixing your guests drink after drink, we recommend doing the hard work beforehand, and enlarging the serving size. These drinks all have just a handful of ingredients and they're all pretty easy to find, so you only need to visit your local supermarket and bottle shop once.

Once upon a time this drink was the Espresso Martini of its time, and unlike the Espresso Martini it was for good reason. It's almost impossible to describe in words. But let's give it a go. The Sherry (yes you do like it, no it's not just for grandmothers) gives a nutty, vinous note, the Coast Gin, a salinity that tempers the sweetness and the peach the hit of summer you so desperately wanted.

Has gin and juice ever been so good? No. I guarantee if you buy a dozen coconuts, a machete (or Coco Jack if you want to keep your fingers) you will make more friends by the beach this summer with this drink than you know what to do with.

We all know equipment used in the preparation of cocktails is the stuff of magic. However, there are some rules to using that shaker. Here's how you too can make yourself indispensable at a party.

Ah, summer holidays, that special time of year when it’s completely acceptable to drink bubbles with breakfast, or pour yourself a second, third – neigh fourth G&T before dinner. Unbutton your pants, dear reader, because since we’re on this summertime boozy bandwagon we’ve unearthed some brilliant ideas for working that bottle of Signature Dry or Distiller’s Strength Gin, Original Vodka or your favourite whisky into your festive food menu, too. Hungry?

There are several things that make for a good party. A great guest list is the most important. Music comes second. Then comes the offerings. After who was flirting with whom, the next thing people will discuss or remember is what they ate or drank. We've come up with a handy list of batched drinks here. We've also come up with a few ideas of how to turn a gathering into an party for the ages without breaking a sweat.