Happy Hours: The Penguin Book of Cocktails

Happy Hours: The Penguin Book of Cocktails is a first of its kind and all that you will need to set up your very own bar and make it the most talked-about one in town.

It will show you how to master basic techniques and impress your guests: keep your glasses sparkling clean, create decorative ice cubes and use a cocktail shaker with panache. It will tell you about the origins, production and classification of different types of liquor, and provide smart tips on preserving and serving them. It will treat you to a splendid selection of over 650 recipes-from classics such as the Tom Collins and Daiquiri to unique concoctions like the Maheshwar Margarita (a feni-Cointreau-lemon juice mix) and Mango Bellini to inventive punches, mocktails and heady mixtures guaranteed to cure hangovers-complete with meticulous instructions on measurements, suggested glassware and garnishes, as well as a few tricks to reinvent popular mixes.

Along the way, you’ll also pick up

– Up-to-date information on premier liquor brands and their availability in India

– Entertaining asides on sundry topics of interest, from the most expensive whisky in the world to the status of alcohol in ancient Indian society

– Crucial advice on how to recover from a night of hectic partying

– A comprehensive glossary that provides clear definitions of otherwise unfamiliar terms

Whether you’re a professional bartender or a generous host, planning a lavish party or simply looking to add zing to an evening drink, this stylish, sumptuous book is the ultimate companion for your bar.