'Martini is made with gin. A Vodka Martini is made with vodka. Apple Martinis are an abomination. That is all.' - Kay Plunkett-Hogge From just a few friends for drinks and snacks in the kitchen to a sophisticated soir'e for everyone you know, Kay Plunkett-Hogge draws upon her background in the worlds of film and fashion and her youth in Mad Men-era Bangkok to create the ultimate guide to making your evening as easy as ABC. Kay's approach to throwing a party is to keep it simple (yet stylish), plan ahead and, above all, enjoy it. The 80 cocktail recipes are organised by base spirit, with chapters on Gin, Vodka, Rum etc, and the 40 canap' recipes are grouped into Vegetarian, Fish & Seafood and Meat. As Kay writes in the book's introduction: 'Just the sound of ice being shaken, preferably to a rhythm all of its own, is enough to bring a smile to anyone's face.

It's the promise of sweet relief, of good times, good friends and good conversation. Just make mine a Martini.