A compendium of facts and sayings about the superior spirit, Gin.

From juniper berries to coriander, and citrus peel to exotic spices, the endless varieties of gin makes it one of the most versatile and beloved drinks today. Go on a spirited journey into the history, production and culture of gin, learn how your favourite gins are created and be gin-spired with cocktail recipes in this intoxicating guide.

Go beyond the Gin & Tonic with over 55 classic and contemporary gin cocktail recipes. Whether you love sweet drinks or sour ones, quick and casual cocktails or something more impressive, The Little Book of Gin can help you transform your favourite gin into something special. - Learn your way around making gin-based martinis, from the perfect Classic Martini to cap off a great evening to drinks that are perfect for kicking off a boozy brunch, like the Espresso Gin-tini and the Breakfast Martini (complete with toast to garnish!) - Master well-known staples like the Gin Rickey, the Negroni and the Tom Collins and then take a walk on the wild side with contemporary twists on gin's biggest hits like the Mango Rickey, the Lychee Negroni, and the Camomile Collins. - Discover your new favourite gin-based drink along with tips and tricks for making it, right down to the type of glass it is traditionally served in (though we won't judge you if you get creative). Enjoy gin your way and delight the gin-lover in your life with this pocket-sized guide to gin recipes for every occasion.

Did You Know? In medieval times, Cheshire was a County Palatine with its own independent parliament. The village of Willaston hosts the annual World Worm Charming Championships. With 86,000 ponds, Cheshire claims to be the pond capital of Europe. Cheshire cheese is the oldest named cheese in England. The Little Book of Cheshire is a fast-paced, fact-packed compendium of the sort of frivolous, fantastic or simply strange information no one will want to be without. Here we find out about the most unusual crimes and punishments, eccentric inhabitants, famous sons and daughters and hundreds of other facts, plus some authentically bizarre bits of historical trivia. This is an ideal book to have by your bedside or to while away the hours on a long train journey. And if you like to take part in pub quizzes – or set them – then you will find this book a veritable treasure trove of useful information.

"The greatest writer of his time." (George Orwell) The author of 20 much-loved novels and novellas, Charles Dickens combined humor and pathos to explore Victorian society in all its shades. Widely praised for his rich narratives and larger-than-life characters, he was not only a celebrity author but also an admired social reformer. Moving from the refined drawing rooms of the upper classes to the horrors of the workhouse or the filthy back streets of London, Dickens' writings shone a light on the harsh inequalities of the times. The Little Book of Dickens showcases wonderful quotes from the author's writings, alongside fascinating facts about his life and achievements. By turns witty, comic, insightful and wise, this delightful volume is a fitting tribute to a literary giant. SAMPLE QUOTE: "It is said that the children of the very poor are not brought up, but dragged up." Bleak House SAMPLE FACT: When Dickens was 12 years old, his father was sent to a debtor's prison. Forced to become the family's main breadwinner, the young Dickens worked at Warren's Blacking Factory, where he was paid a pittance for pasting labels onto bottles of shoe polish.

This beautifully presented Little Book is an excellent introduction to the world of gin. It includes a fascinating history of the product itself, how it’s made, how best to drink it and details of the world’s best gins.

Sloes are not just for making gin, they are an extremely interesting fruit with an intense flavour. Together with crab apples, these magical ingredients have inspired me to create thirty original recipes. Crab apple recipes include Toffee Apple Cupcakes, Strudel and Preserves. Sloes I have used to create drinks, chocolates with gin-soaked sloes and recipes for the festive season. All the recipes are visually illustrated with full colour photographs and are easy to prepare and make.