With a cocktail shaker, some classy stemware and a few basic ingredients, these gin and vodka based cocktails are easier to make than you think - and best of all, very straightforward to drink too...

VODKA

:: SPRING KIWI KICK

Celebrate spring even more with a zesty cocktail made with a vodka from the Ukraine, the birthplace of this clear spirit. Try Staritsky & Levitsky Reserve (£29.09, 70cl, www.thedrinkshop.com), a wheat vodka with a soft palate and twist of black pepper on the finish that's been awarded a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competiton. Here's the recipe to surprise your guests...

60ml Staritsky & Levitsky, dash of ginger syrup, 1/2 kiwi, 1 inch fresh ginger, 25ml pineapple juice, squeeze of lime

Muddle the 1/2 kiwi, ginger syrup and fresh ginger in a mixing glass. Add the vodka, pineapple juice and generous squeeze of lime. Shake over ice and double strain into a chilled coupette glass. Garnish with a kiwi and ginger wheel.

:: FROZEN VINES

A smooth, delicate French vodka made from grapes as opposed to grain, five times distilled Ciroc Vodka (£38.90, 70cl, www.alexanderandjames.com) has a distinct, viney aftertaste and naturally pairs well with wine. This stylish creation is served in the bar at Aqua Shard, The Shard, London and tastes deliciously refreshing when you're happily thinking about springtime.

50ml Ciroc, 15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, 15ml elderflower cordial, 5ml Fernet Branca, top with champagne or sparkling wine

Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, lemon juice, cordial and Fernet Branca. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with champagne or sparking wine and garnish with a white grape and mint sprig.

:: PEARLY QUEEN MARTINI

Pretty as a picture, this seasonal serve from Belvedere Vodka (£36, 70cl, Waitrose), distilled four times and made from Polish rye, would sit very well with the glamorous party crowd. But don't be deceived by the pale, ballet slipper pink from the influence of Lillet Rose (£15.50, 75cl, Waitrose) - a blend of red and white Bordeaux wines and fruit liqueur - this cocktail tastes stronger than it looks...

60ml Belvedere, 10ml Lillet Rose

Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka and Lillet, shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.

GIN BASED

:: HENDRICK'S DREAM TIME MARTINI (serves 3)

Worthy of a Mad Hatter's tea party, Hendrick's Gin (£26, 70cl, Sainsbury's) suggest serving their new spring cocktail in a teapot to 'escape the humdrum of the ordinary'. A Scottish gin with infusions of cucumber and rose petals, the floral aromas are perfectly in tune with the flowering bulbs outside.

150ml Hendrick's Gin, 60ml lemon juice, 33ml lavender honey syrup, your favourite vintage teapot

To make the lavender honey syrup: infuse 20ml honey with 10ml boiling water and a teaspoon of dried lavender, stir until honey dissolves completely & mixture has infused lavender

Half-fill the teapot with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice and syrup, stir briskly and allow to sit for approx one minute. Stir again before pouring into chilled tea cups without ice (can always use a tea strainer!). Garnish with lemon zest.

:: SPRING SOUTHSIDE

Australian through and through, Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin (£39.85, 70cl, www.masterofmalt.com) from the Yarra Valley, Australia is a punchy gin made with oranges and spicy botanicals such as cardamom, cinnamon and star anise with Tasmanian pepperberry leaf and lemon myrtle, as an alternative to lemon peel. Cocktail friendly, Four Pillars already boasts a stash of medals since being released in 2013 and works well in this twist on a Cuban classic.

45ml Four Pillars, 20ml lime juice, 10ml sugar syrup, 8 mint leaves (one for garnish)

Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lime juice, sugar syrup and mint leaves. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupette. Garnish with a bruised mint leaf to release oils.

:: GREENALL'S GIN FIZZ

With a gin distilling history going back 250 years, this classic thirst quencher from Greenall's The Original London Dry Gin (£14.50, 70cl, Sainsbury's) is just the tonic, but made with soda water. Serve it in a high ball and the citrus juice in this sour based cocktail will be nice and frothy when shaken and bring out the juniper and coriander in the gin.

50ml Greenall's, 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice, 10ml sugar syrup, soda water, lemon wedge

Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup, shake well and strain into a high ball glass half-filled with ice. Top up with soda water and garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig.

Cheers!

:: BEST BUY

Full of Eastern promise... Even though they've been producing wines for thousands of years, Romanian reds are not really on our radar - but with soft, rich, easy drinking styles such as Torre Rika Merlot Reserva 2011, Romania (£7.99, Waitrose), they should be. Ripe rounded black cherries and mulberry fruit with light tannins and a smooth finish make this a delicious weekday wine.

:: LIQUID NEWS

Master of the Glen... Top selling single malt The Glenlivet have launched The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve (£36, 70cl, www.whiskyshop.com) in honour of its founder George Smith, paying tribute to the uniquely smooth and fruity style he first envisioned in 1824 when he established The Glenlivet as a licensed distillery.

The Glenlivet Founder's Reserve replaces The Glenlivet 12 Year Old to become a permanent expression within the range and is a no age statement Scotch, similar to the earliest Glenlivet bottles. Aged in first fill American oak casks, the Founder's Reserve flavours are described by the company as having a fruity profile with a delicious, contemporary twist of creaminess.

For more info visit www.theglenlivet.com

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