Cooking shows such as the Naked Chef and Nigella Lawson has made it a fashion to eat in, rather than to splurge at fancy restaurants. Home entertainment is the new buzz word, and we’re not talking about surround sound systems, but rather of gents and dames shaking up martinis before dinner, serving out a three course meal for friends and offering large serves of Baileys as a digestif, or perhaps a glass of Blue Label or a fine single malt with some Cuban cigars to finish off the evening.

To me – spirits and cocktails are an essential part of entertaining at home. We always have a cheeky martini or a small shot ‘on arrival’ for our guests before we start pairing our wines and beers with the food on offer. Spirits such as vodka and gin are great appetizers, and when served martini style, or perhaps in a tall glass with soda or tonic water, and a touch of fresh lime, these not only spark the appetite, but also help cleanse your palate. A glass of red or a bottle of ale, contrastingly, can obscure your taste buds and thus mask some of the flavours in the coming meal. Likewise once the meal is over, and we may have over indulged a little a chilled shot of Jagermeister will help the digestion kick into high gear, whilst a glass of Scotch whisky, or some Cognac, will help settle the stomach and allow you to relax and comfortably enjoy the rest of the evening.

Setting up you own ‘home bar’ is easy. Contrary to popular belief you do not need a whole lot of fancy equipment to make a crisp martini or a cheeky li’l cosmopolitan. Cocktail books of the past can be to blame for this general misconception that you need 15 types of glassware and a plethora of weird tools before you can start shaking it up in your kitchen, whereas in reality all you need is some quality spirits, fresh ingredients and besides the cocktail shaker (which can be replaced by something more domestic like a jam jar) and a Hawthorne strainer (which again can be replaced with a domestic tea strainer), most of the necessary equipment will already be in your kitchen drawers and cupboards.

The key to making drinks at home is not the tools, but the attitude. Making drinks is all about having fun, about experimenting with tastes and with flavours, and – once you get it right – it is about enhancing your, and your guests’ experience. Putting together a James Bond night – complete with Bollinger Champagne, Lowenbrau beer and of course Vodka Martinis shaken not stirred, makes not only for a great theme, but also a cool and well thought through party. As does a Mexican evening where Margaritas and Coronas accompany hot and spicy tacos , burritos and enchiladas.