Something is stirring in the drinks cabinet

Forget straight gin-and-tonic; the Martini is in, and being quaffed in smart bars across Britain and the States. Even "three-Martini-lunches" are enjoying a revival. But sloshing together a sophisticated cocktail in a simple jug doesn't have the same eclat as creating one using authentic accessories. To create the mood, we offer a selection of equipment for the home bar, from cheap and cheery novelties to refined bar-top paraphernalia. Then rent a copy of Cocktail and model your mixing on Tom Cruise's technique.

JUST SHAKIN' ALL OVER

Glass cocktail shaker (practise before you try nonchalantly tossing this one about), comes complete with recipes, pounds 5.95, Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW3, 0171 235 5000; space-age stainless steel cocktail shaker, pounds 55, The Conran Shop, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3, 0171 589 7401; ready- for-anything chain-mail Bloody Mary shaker, pounds 42, from Graham & Green, 164 Regent's Park Road, London NW1, 0171 586 2690. Mail order: 0171 727 4594

COAST TO COAST COVERAGE

Avoid unsightly furniture rings, but forget twee floral coasters and go for city chic with `Urban' design, pounds 24.75 for six, from Graham & Green, 164 Regent's Park Road, London NW1, 0171 586 2690. Mail order: 0171 727 4594

ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?

Di developed cellulite from sitting on wicker. No problem with the Crab bar stool, pounds 225, The Conran Shop, 81 Fulham Road, London SW3, 0171 589 7401

SILENT SERVICE

After a pre-dinner Martini, one's grip may not be steady. Make life easier with the wine butler, pounds 19.95, The Gadget Shop, Unit 249, Lakeside Shopping Centre, West Thurrock, 01708 8686 0225. Further stockists: 01482 870316

TAKING THE STRAIN

Be a real smoothie: no pips, no peel, no pith, and, most importantly, no ice to melt and dilute the kick. And a fleck-free drink makes the washing- up easier. Cocktail strainer, pounds 9.95, Liberty, Regent Street, London W1, 0171 734 1234

A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Chopping board, pounds 25.95, Heal's, 196 Tottenham Court Road, London W1, 0171 636 1666. Tomato knife (for lemons, silly! tomatoes only appear as juice) pounds 6, Divertimenti, 45-47 Wigmore Street, London W1, 0171 935 0689

OPEN ALL HOURS

Levering off bottle-tops on a drawer-edge isn't stylish. King Frog, pounds 9.50, flying saucer, pounds 15, Purves & Purves, 80-81 Tottenham Court Road, London W1, 0171 580 8223. Dolphin corkscrew, pounds 22, The Conran Shop, as before