My cocktail cabinet essentials
Photograph Allun Callender
The TV presenter, author and wine expert selects classy glassware, nifty knives, and a Harris Tweed hipflask that’s perfect for your next hike
Rauk Heavy Tumbler
Mrs Smith insists on gripping the heaviest glasses in the game when she drinks whisky, so I held my breath the first time I passed over her evening aperitif poured into this Rauk Heavy Tumbler. Luckily, she was entranced by this glass’s gentle curvature, with soft angles at the corner and chunky yet strikingly decorative cross at the base. As was I. It’s majestic to drink from and delivers a grand sense of occasion. Fit for neat sipping or with a large statement ice sphere or cube for mixed drinks.
Isle of Harris Tweed Hipflask
I love hipflasks that are battered and weathered after years of stomping up glens – mine is perpetually raised outdoors to the memory of my favourite Scottish poet, Norman MacCaig. Whatever the weather, a trusty hipflask brings comfort, reward and poignancy as the years go by. These Isle of Harris Tweed Hipflasks come in every shade of tartan and weave and are ideal for gifting as a unique statement of character. And down the line when their bright newness fades, remember to raise yours to Norman: “I think about you/ in as many ways as rain comes.”
LSA Martini Glasses
£45 for a set of two
Where 007 seems to sip from outspan martini glasses with stems longer than daffodils, this is all compactness and elegance. Being dishwasher-friendly may not be the sexiest requirement from a cocktail glass, but I love that it fits superbly into mine thanks to the shorter stem, and there’s a handmade feel to the wobbly glass that delivers instant allure. Such is its elegance, any concerns the rim looked a trifle thick disappeared on the first sip of my Blood and Sand. Superb quality for a widely available glass.
Japanese Style Seamless Mixing Glass Stirring Cocktail by Kotai
£58.52
Satisfyingly bold with a striking flat base, this mixing glass is constructed with work in mind – the serious work of stirring cocktails. It’s dishwasher safe, looks a treat and pours consistently and smoothly. As a companion to the discerning drinker’s cabinet, it more than fits the bill. There are cheaper versions out there, but if you’ve got the budget, this is the mightiest of mixing glasses to bag.
Kuhn Rikon Paring Knife
An exceptional paring knife, the 19.5cm blade of mine has remained shockingly true despite years of active service. Coming in a variety of jazzy shades (I have the vibrant pink one), for shaving segments of citrus fruits, dicing, slicing and getting creative with garnishes, this knife has all the finesse the cocktail connoisseur needs. I feel mean mentioning the only drawback, that the colour eventually fades on the knife, but for the price, does that really matter?
