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Create the ultimate at-home gin experience: expert barware, garnishes & tips from Pippa Guy

Mixology Basics
Author: The Bar Team & Pippa Guy
Two gin and tonic cocktails sit on a kitchen counter, in highball glasses with a wedge of pink grapefruit

Home bar stocked? Yes. Gin cocktail menu decided? Absolutely. Bar extras sorted? No, whoops!

To help you nail your favourite gin cocktails with ease, Pippa Guy, ex- senior bartender at The Savoy’s American Bar, has rounded up everything you need in your gin-set-up at home. Shake, stir, and enjoy.

World Class 2017 Tanqueray T&T Event With Cocktail & Garnishes

Curate an excellent glassware selection for all cocktails

If you want to serve top classic cocktails, you’ll at least need a Copa for your G&T, a Martini glass for martinis and a rocks glass for the Negroni. If you're a traditionalist, go for sleek, minimal glassware that lets the cocktails shine. Or, if you love experimenting, look for glassware with interesting colours and textures.


“Many charity shops stock a selection of beautiful vintage glassware.”

Pippa Guy 1

Pippa Guy

Author of Let's Get Fizzical and Tanqueray Gin Pro


Tanqueray Ten Tonic Orange Peel Serve

Keep a trusty peeler on-hand

It might sound silly, but if you’re going to make martinis for your friends all night and want to garnish them with a beautiful lemon twist, you'll appreciate a good Y shaped peeler to get all the skin and none of the bitter pith!

Ice is poured into a highball glass using a silver bar scoop

Ice cubes - the bigger, the better

When it comes to ice - think big. The bigger the ice cube, the longer it will take to melt, meaning your drinks are fresher (and less diluted) for longer. Look out for large-sized ice moulds to make at home - either cubed or spherical.

A woman shakes a silver cocktail shaker

Keep a good cocktail book (or two) around

Sometimes inspiration strikes when you're mixing a cocktail, and sometimes you need a little helping hand. That's why we always recommend having a few cocktail recipe books around to steer you in the right direction. The cherry on top? With a book on-hand, anyone can pick up the cocktail shaker and get mixing - giving you a bit of a break from playing mixologist.

A great playlist full of crowdpleasers

Whether that’s jazz, indie, reggae – whatever style of music you’re into, a cocktail in your hand is always enjoyed much more with good tunes.

A home bar isn't complete without gin

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Smiling person enjoying a cocktail outdoors in bright lighting
Smiling person enjoying a cocktail outdoors in bright lighting

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