One of the best parts of my job is creating cocktails for every single special occasion or calendar date that comes a'knockin. And Eurovision is no different. So I've created a special cocktail to embrace the glitz this weekend - for those that don't fancy knocking back a drink for each country.

With no less than five sumptuous courses, all served up with Absolut's new Single Estate mixed up into silky smooth cocktails to suit each dish, I guarantee your taste buds will thank you when you take a seat at the HIX table.

The heritage of alcohol in Britain goes far back; in fact there's brands and houses that have been around longer than many countries. In many cases, these brands have shaped their categories, and even the law surrounding them. Give these a go...

They say mud tends to stick, and tequila has had a hell of a lot of dirt thrown at it over the years. But I've been amazed, and very glad, to see how it continues to boom and shake off its tarnished reputation.

So here is my confession: too many women feel they need to drink like men. It's something we see time and time again at the bar, always the flick of the eye towards the other drinks being pulled and then the order for something meaty in a pint glass. When did this happen? What happened to girls being allowed to drink fruity cocktails? Is feminism now brandishing a pint glass rather than a bra?

I'm quite inclined to make myself a cocktail at the end of a long day, and I'll certainly put together a few if I have friends coming over, but sometimes you just need something simple and easy.

I thrive on flirtation on dates; it's the plutonium I need to get me to the end of the night. From him, however, there is none. Usually I'd put this down to nervousness or shyness, but that's not the case here. He exudes a kind of bland confidence; he's not brash or assertive, just, well, a bit boring.

Exploring cocktails should be fun- and like with cooking, there's a chance to get a group of friends involved. The beauty of this type of collaboration is that each person will bring a unique view to the gathering and with this, a whole new take to bring to the table.

One thing people always seem to ask me is how long the products will last. I've been served drinks in people's homes that really should've been thrown out long ago. Similarly, I've been served whiskies in bars that have simply been open too long.

I've stressed before the need to try and fit the right drink to the occasion. Falling back on a default serve is even more of a waste at Christmas - and it's essential to remove as much stress from the day as possible.

Cocktails require craft. If they're offering you half price drinks there's something fishy going on - they're not offering you half price beer or wine are they? Chances are it's cut price booze and a lot of sugar - neither which your head or liver will thank you for the next day.

The truth is, drinks really can reflect your mood-or completely contrast it-so something a little bit different can not only take you to a new taste sensation, it can transport you to a completely new place. Sometimes you need something unusual to do this.

As I've described before, alcohol is inextricably linked with our humanity. I know so many people who will ask recommendations for bars and restaurants in places they are going to visit, but I suggest a different tact; Make them the destination.

The truth is, alcohol is inextricably linked with our humanity- our evolution. It's taken all the steps with us. And ye gods, that's included the thick and thin.

The real disappointment is that it's often just one simple step that's overlooked, and that's the ice. You might've seen many bars putting a big focus on their ice- triple frozen, pride of place illuminated blocks glistening like glass, ice blocks cut into diamonds... the bar world has gone ice mad.

To me, the real crux of the food revival hasn't been that more people own a kitchen blowtorch or a bottle of truffle oil than before, but that people are focussing on their own tastes much closely... My real hope is that with a few pointers, I can get people doing the same with their drinks

One of the most common questions about whisky is "Should I add water or ice?" and there are numerous 'whisky myths' surrounding the subject. Adding water and/or ice changes a whisky in both positive and negative ways.

I once took a second date to an album launch in a members club in Mayfair, only to find he could not be trusted around the surprise royal guest, finally being ejected by security for trying to 'touch' Prince Harry.