Just uttering the words ‘it's time for cocktails’ makes us conjure up glamorous hotels and shimmering bottles amidst a sea of exquisitely dressed patrons. I have stayed at some beautiful hotels on my travels and simply love to soak in the ambience. The glassware used, the flowers, the use of lighting and even the quality of the ice, don’t go unnoticed. Then to top it off, the wonderfully trained bar staff that place the bottle perfectly in front of you, ensuring their guest enjoys the entire experience.

To create a little of this magic at home, everything needs to be clean and shiny, and for ease, all located together - this will allow you to demonstrate the craft of what you are creating. A bar cart is perfect to house your items - it even adds a little drama.

My crystal glassware and my trays also add drama. Candlelight is important to really transport you into cocktail hour, and as you know, I add flowers to everything! I have quite a collection of Ralph Lauren Home bar items and crystal glasses - everything tastes better in a beautiful glass!

I’ve once again partnered with our friends at Scapegrace and have used two of their limited edition vodkas to experiment with, cin cin!

Try something new…

Vodka Sidecar

4 tablespoons Scapegrace Yuzu Lemon Uncommon Vodka

2 tablespoons Cointreau

2 tablespoons Lemon juice

Use caster sugar to rim your glass. Add all ingredients to your cocktail shaker and fill with ice (this will cool the liquids quickly). Shake vigorously, and pour into an elegant glass. Serve with a lemon slice, or as in my image, a lemon twist.

Lemon Drop

3 tablespoons Scapegrace Yuzu Lemon Uncommon Vodka

1 tablespoon Cointreau

1 tablespoon Lemon juice

1 teaspoon Maple syrup

Pop all ingredients, along with a generous amount of ice, into a cocktail shaker. Shake well, and pour into a martini glass, add a lemon twist or suitable decorative element.

Vodka Soda

50ml Scapegrace Umeshu Plum Uncommon Vodka

Ice

Soda or sparkling water

Place all ingredients into a tall glass, swirl with a gorgeous swizzle stick.

Cosmopolitan

50ml Scapegrace Vodka

25ml Cointreau

25ml Cranberry juice, unsweetened

25ml Pomegranate juice, unsweetened

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a generous amount of ice. Pour into a martini glass and enjoy!