How to spin and pour a bottle like a barman

Any old fool can pour gin, so why not stand out from the crowd at your barbecue and add a little pizazz to your G&T preparation? TGI Friday’s 2010 UK Flairing Champion Adi Astley puts us in a spin.

1 “You definitely don’t want any more than about two fingers of liquid in the bottle, otherwise the weight and balance will be all wrong and it’ll go flying off everywhere. You’ll also need a pour spout on the bottle. Place a glass in your weaker hand and hold the bottle by the neck, like a tennis racquet, with the base facing downwards.”

2 “Raise the bottle up and release it, with a flick of the wrist, for half a rotation.”

3 “As the base spins back round towards you, catch it on the back of your hand. Scoop your hand downwards, going with the motion of the bottle so there’s less impact on your hand.”

4 “Pause for a second, then snap your hand back so that the bottle spins 360 degrees, and then catch it again. Again, go with the movement of the bottle to minimise any pain.”

5 “Now it’s time for the pour. Making sure that you’re ready to put the glass underneath, snap your hand back again, but not quite as hard, and as the bottle turns 180 degrees, catch it by the neck. Have your hand wide open, as if you were about to choke someone, and as soon as you feel the neck of the bottle, clasp it.”

6 “You can look smug and triumphant as you pour the drink out. Feel free to ostentatiously exaggerate the effect by raising the bottle up high as the liquid splashes into the glass.”