Est. 2026 · Cocktails, coffee & more

Stirred, shaken, explained.

Cocktails, mocktails, coffee and tea, explained in thirty seconds. Every recipe ends with the tools, machines and glassware to make it, at three prices.

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Tonight's menu

  1. Why a Gin Basil Smash needs a fistful of basil: the spec and a scaling builderModern Cocktails
  2. Shaken or stirred? What each does to chill and dilution, with a clock you can dragBar & Barista Technique
  3. Why does tonic water taste bitter? Quinine, sugar and a mixer ratio builderLow & No
  4. Why does moka pot coffee taste bitter? Grind, heat and when to stop, with a pot calculatorCoffee & Espresso
  5. Why a Negroni is equal parts: the spec and a ratio builderClassic Cocktails

drinkMX

Drink of the week · Coffee & EspressoPicker · 5 min Why does moka pot coffee taste bitter? Grind, heat and when to stop, with a pot calculator A moka pot is not an espresso machine, and most bitter moka coffee comes from a handful of small habits rather than the pot itself: too fine a grind, a tamped basket, cold water… Get the recipe → Stock the bar BargainBialetti Moka Express 3 kopjes€25.99 Best valueBialetti Moka Induction Moka pot 4tz€41.99 SplurgeCafetière italienne électrique 3 tasses inox - 0006092 - BIALETTI€110.31

On the menu

Everything we've poured →
Modern Cocktails Why a Gin Basil Smash needs a fistful of basil: the spec and a scaling builder Recipe · 4 min Modern Cocktails · Recipe · 4 min Why a Gin Basil Smash needs a fistful of basil: the spec and a scaling builder The Gin Basil Smash was invented by Jörg Meyer at Le Lion in Hamburg in 2008, and it is a gin sour with a fistful of basil. We give the common spec, explain why muddling the basil…
3min Bar & Barista Technique · Picker Shaken or stirred? What each does to chill and dilution, with a clock you can drag Shaking and stirring both chill a drink and add water from the ice. They differ in speed and texture. A… 5min Low & No · Picker Why does tonic water taste bitter? Quinine, sugar and a mixer ratio builder Tonic water tastes bitter because of quinine, a compound from cinchona bark, and the amount in your glass… 5min Coffee & Espresso · Picker Why does moka pot coffee taste bitter? Grind, heat and when to stop, with a pot calculator A moka pot is not an espresso machine, and most bitter moka coffee comes from a handful of small habits… 4min Classic Cocktails · Picker Why a Negroni is equal parts: the spec and a ratio builder The Negroni is the simplest spec in the book: equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, built over ice. It… 5min Parties & Batches · Recipe How to batch hot spiced punch for a crowd: a pot planner for mulled wine or alcohol-free A hot spiced punch is the easiest drink to make for a crowd, because one pot does the whole job. The trick is…

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No. 01 Shaken or stirred? What each does to chill and dilution, with a clock you can drag Shaking and stirring both chill a drink and add water from the ice. They differ in speed and texture. A… Start · 3 min No. 02 Why does tonic water taste bitter? Quinine, sugar and a mixer ratio builder Tonic water tastes bitter because of quinine, a compound from cinchona bark, and the amount in your glass… Start · 5 min No. 03 Why does moka pot coffee taste bitter? Grind, heat and when to stop, with a pot calculator A moka pot is not an espresso machine, and most bitter moka coffee comes from a handful of small habits… Start · 5 min No. 04 Why a Negroni is equal parts: the spec and a ratio builder The Negroni is the simplest spec in the book: equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, built over ice. It… Start · 4 min No. 05 Which bottles should a home bar stock first? A planner that counts the cocktails each one unlocks The best first bottle for a home bar isn't the cheapest or the fanciest. It's the one that shares ingredients… Start · 4 min No. 06 What does 40% mean on a vodka label? A pour calculator for strength, units and mixers Vodka is a spirit distilled until most of the flavour of its base, whether grain, potato or grape, is gone… Start · 5 min

Behind the bar

The kit our recipes come back to most.

Bargain
Pierre Melkopschuimer PMF3000 Zwart€29.99
300 ml jug · Hot or cold froth · 4 settings
from “Which milk frother do you need? A batch picker by drink and cups” Coolblue
Best value
Philips Baristina Melkopschuimer Zwart€83
120 ml jug · Hot & cold foam · Magnetic whisk
from “Which milk frother do you need? A batch picker by drink and cups” Coolblue
Squeeze
Braun TributeCollection citruspers CJ 3000€22.99
Electric citrus press · 350 ml juice jug · 20 W motor
from “How to make ginger fizz at home: a syrup scaler, no fermenting needed” Alternate.nl
Fizz
SodaStream TERRA Zwart€95
Quick Connect cylinder · No plug needed · 1 L bottle
from “How to make ginger fizz at home: a syrup scaler, no fermenting needed” Coolblue
Best value
SodaStream DUO Grijs€99
Cordless · Glass carafe included · Quick Connect gas
from “How to make an alcohol-free spritz: a 3-2-1 builder for bitter, sweet and fizz” Coolblue
Bargain
SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker - Starter Kit - Black€72.04
Cordless · Quick Connect gas · Push-button
from “How to make an alcohol-free spritz: a 3-2-1 builder for bitter, sweet and fizz” RueDuCommerce

The sections

01 Bar & Barista TechniqueIce, dilution, syrups, tamping and steaming milk. 7 02 Classic CocktailsThe drinks every bar should know, and why they work. 7 03 Coffee & EspressoBeans, brewing, espresso and milk drinks. 7 04 Home Bar & GearTools, machines and glassware, and what to buy first. 6 05 Low & NoMocktails, spritzes and alcohol-free drinks with flavour. 7 06 Modern CocktailsNewer recipes and twists worth learning. 7 07 Parties & BatchesPunches, pitchers and drinks for a crowd. 6 08 Spirits & LiqueursGin, whisky, rum, agave and how each is made. 6 09 Tea & InfusionsGreen, black, oolong, herbal and how to brew them. 6 10 Wine, Beer & CiderGrapes, styles, pairing and serving it right. 6

House rules

How we write recipes, how we pick the kit and how the shop works.

  1. 01Every recipe gives measures in ml, a method and the glass. We explain why it works, not just what goes in.
  2. 02Not every drink needs alcohol. Coffee, tea and alcohol-free drinks get the same care as cocktails.
  3. 03Picks are tools, machines and glassware chosen for the recipe at three prices. Nobody pays to be picked.
  4. 04Links are affiliate links, marked sponsored. We may earn a commission, but your price doesn’t change. Please drink responsibly, and only if you’re of legal age.