How to make yourself a cocktail expert in a few easy lesssons

It was not so long ago that a cocktail was a special treat. Perhaps something you enjoyed on your birthday, or with a date you were particularly keen to impress.

Nowadays, cocktails are everywhere, as producers up the ante across gin, vodka, whisky, brandy, tequila, run and a host other spirits.

Cocktail pourers, now known as mixologists, are the superstars of their sphere.

If you've wanted to learn the basics of cocktail making then Strong, Sweet and Bitter by Cara Devine might be the book for you.

Learn about the ‘Flavour Triangle’ of drink mixing and how to make sure your flavours balance.

The book, written with an appealing chatty tone, also contains helpful insights - and the history behind some famous drinks.

# Cara Devine is the manager at Bomba Rooftop and host of the web series Behind the Bar. She has worked in Scotland, Canada and Australia.

Strong, Sweet and Bitter will be published by Hardie Grant Books. RRP $36.99.