Spirited

A flavour-focused drinks recipe book with a feminist slant, Spirited opens up the 'boys' club' world of serious cocktails and features fifty drinks, both alcoholic and booze-free. Spirited brings together fifty well-crafted cocktail recipes, all fuelled by a cook's palate and a love of creative ingredients. Signe Johansen's recipes play with a wide range of flavours such as fresh, floral, herbal and spicy notes and encourage you to think like a cook not a bartender. With chapters on drambling (the joy of winter walks and whisky), creative and delicious drinks to serve at gatherings, warming nightcaps and non-alcoholic 'soothies' to calm an ailing spirit, there is a tipple here for every occasion. There is also a collection of recipes called Cupboard Cocktails made from staple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen and more ambitious weekend projects for gifts or special occasions. Spirited is a refreshing departure from earnest mixologists writing about the 'art of the cocktail' books often written by men, for men. Instead, Signe opens the field for everyone and celebrates the convivial and social experience of healthy hedonism and raising a glass together. This is a warm and inclusive companion to the subject, packed with trade secrets, delicious recipes and fascinating insight into the world of drinks.