Coffee & Beverage

A good double-hinged waiter's corkscrew opens any bottle cleanly, fits in a drawer and never needs batteries. Here's how to pick a genuine one and use it.

The right glass really does help a beer: a curvy pub glass holds the foam, carries the aroma and shows off the colour, from a light lager to a stout.

You don't need a different glass for every wine. One good universal glass, thin at the rim and with room to swirl, makes reds and whites taste better.

A proper martini glass makes a simple drink feel like an occasion. Choose a modest size on a long stem, so the drink stays cold to the last sip.

Measuring is the difference between a great cocktail and a so-so one. This little 2-ounce angled cup does a jigger's job and is easier to read.

An insulated ice bucket keeps ice frozen for the whole party, so nobody's running back to the freezer. Plus the fastest way to chill a bottle of wine.

A decanter lets young red wine breathe and leaves the sediment of old bottles behind. It also looks beautiful on the table, which is reason enough.

Opened a bottle of bubbly and didn't finish it? A good Champagne stopper clamps on tight so the fizz is still there tomorrow. And no, the spoon trick doesn't work.

Fresh lemon and lime juice makes everything taste brighter, from salad dressings to margaritas. A good geared hand press gets more juice with less effort.

Two pieces, no fiddly cap, and a properly cold drink in 15 seconds. Here's the Boston shaker I'd buy and how to seal, shake and open it without the drama.

A Hawthorne strainer keeps the ice in the tin and the bits out of your glass. Here's the one I'd buy, and which way to push the tab for a finer pour.

A cocktail shaker mixes, chills and dilutes a drink in about 15 seconds. Here's the easy, reliable shaker I'd start with, and how to stop a cap from sticking.

A small fine-mesh strainer sifts, rinses, smooths sauces and double-strains cocktails. Here's the sturdy one I'd buy and what makes a strainer last.

A soda maker turns cold tap water into sparkling water in seconds. Here's the one I'd buy, what it really costs per litre, and the one mistake to avoid.

A French press makes rich, full-bodied coffee with hot water and four minutes. Here's the insulated one I'd buy, and the ratio that gets it right every time.

A muddler gently presses mint, citrus and fruit to release their flavour. Here's the long, unvarnished one I'd buy, and how to muddle mint without bitterness.

An electric kettle is usually quicker than the stove and switches itself off. Here's the temperature-control kettle I'd buy, and when a plain glass one is smarter.