DRAMBUIE 15 RUSTY NAIL: Don Draper

Mad Men fans are salivating over the prospect of Series 5. From 27th March, Sky Atlantic will screen new episodes just two days after broadcast in the US. Apparently, the action jumps forward in time. Will Don ditch his Old Fashioneds for something newer? As he’s a whisky man, how about a Rusty Nail? Big in mid-60s America, it was actually created around the time of Pearl Harbor. Of course, were I his doctor, I’d suggest Draper switch to neat soda water.

Make it...Over crushed ice in a short tumbler, pour 25ml Drambuie 15 year old then 25ml whisky. Stir gently. Add lemon twist garnish.

Drink it…Albannach WC2; Good Godfrey’s at the Aldwych Hilton London; Coco Tang, Nottingham; The Corinthian, Glasgow; 56 North, Edinburgh.   

TWINKLE: Will Young

How time flies. Can it really be ten years to the week since twinkly-eyed 'twink' Will became the nation’s idol? Young’s career continues to flourish. His album, Echoes, topped the UK charts and there are gigs staged in various English forests - cue Evergreen - to look forward to in June. I reckon William owes me a cocktail in return for all those texts sent to ensure my clearly superior choice beat puppet master Simon’s Pop Idol apparent, Gareth, on the night.

Make it... 

Shake 80ml Ketel One vodka and 20 ml St. Germain Elderflower liqueur with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with champagne (or prosecco) and add lemon peel float.

Drink it…at Mojobar, Liverpool; Pluto Bar, Stockport; Bon Vivant, Edinburgh; ZTH, Clerkenwell; The Penny Black, Chelsea; Canteen, Canary Wharf and Southbank; or order it from Mr Twinkle himself, Tony Conigliaro at 69 Colebrooke Row, Islington. 

image kanonvodka.com / soundsenseuk

EARL GREY MARTINI: Florence Welch

Two UK number one albums in the bag; feted by Karl Lagerfeld; up for Best British Solo Female Artist at this month’s BRITS, having won ‘best breakthrough act’ in 2010: how does the Camberwell beauty keep her machine oiled? According to my spies, by drinking tea at her local, The Crooked Well. Soup up your cuppa, Flo! Try their take on modern American classic, the Earl Grey MarTEAni. Two, and you’ll be Hurricane Drunk.

Make it... 

Steep 6 Earl Grey tea bags in 200 ml gin (Tanqueray) for 10 minutes. Strain. Allowing 50 ml infused gin per drink, shake with ice, 1 egg white, 25 ml fresh lemon juice, 30 ml sugar syrup (gomme). Strain into sugar-rimmed martini glass.

 

Drink it…The Crooked Well SE5; Berry Bar, Hilton London Green Park, W1(served in a frozen teapot) ; Sygn, Edinburgh; Hotel du Vin, Bristol; Jakes, Leeds; Beagle Bar, Moreton-in-the-Marsh; Ginger’s Bar, Birmingham.

EASY TIGER: Harry Styles

Turning 18 today, Harry’s now old enough to legally order alcohol on licensed premises. Previously, he was restricted to wine, cider and beer, and only then when ordered by an adult - a 32-year-old female TV presenter, say. Was his impending freedom to go cocktail crazy part of the reason he split from one such enabler last week? Hit the bars, Harry, but ..easy tiger! 

Make it... 

Diffords Guide specifies 2 shots tequila, 1 shot freshly squeezed lime juice, 2 small slices fresh ginger, 2 spoonfuls of runny honey, ¾ shot chilled mineral water. Shake with ice and strain. 

Drink it…Devised by Alex Kammerling when Harry was in short trousers, good bars should be up to making one:  69 Colebrooke Row, Islington; Apotheca, Manchester; Bank, Birmingham; The Raconteur, Edinburgh; Angels, Oxford or refer your ‘tender to www.absolutdrinks.com for an alternative recipe.