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.