So here’s one of my secrets. Minimal input with maximum effect. Learn to make two things great: Her favourite drink and a French Martini. Whatever her fav drink is, make it the best it’s ever been. Does she like a G&T? Try it with a slice of lime, or maybe a squirt of bitters. Find a unique twist and ALWAYS make it that way. It will be special for her because you make it different to everyone else, and you make it the best.

And the French Martini. Man’s best friend. Looks complicated, tastes great, but it’s easy to make and it’s easy to make it sparkle. Here’s how you make one:

30ml vanilla vodka

30ml chambord (it’s a berry liqueur)

30ml pineapple juice

Sure, the vodka and chambord might not be in your cupboard, but for about $40 each, you will have enough to make around 1,000 of these. Here’s what you do:

Use a martini glass. You can get cheap “cocktail glasses” at Target, K-mart or pretty much any homewares shop. Put the glass in your freezer while you make the drink. The glass will get a little bit cold, but when you take it out and it hits the warm air, it will frost, and that’s what you’re looking for.

Put two ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and add the three ingredients. If you have a large glass, do 45ml of everything – the trick is equal measures. Then, shake the living shit out of the drink for about 20 seconds. If you do it right, you will end up with some froth on the top of the drink when you pour – but the froth isn’t essential.

Keep the strainer on the shaker and pour the drink into the glass and serve – this stops the ice dropping into the drink. It’s that simple. BUT, if you really want the drink to “pop”, here’s a couple of tips for garnish. Once again, they’re simple, but they add a great appearance to the drink and make it look like you worked harder than you really did.

1. Get a straw and cut it to be about 5cm longer than the side of the glass – no need to be exact. Wet one side of the straw a little from about the middle to one end. Then press the straw gently against the UNDERSIDE of the glass, so that the top points upwards. The straw will stick there by itself until the lady removes it to drink.

The harder you shake when mixing, the thicker the layer of foam on top. CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL SIZE

2. Get a strawberry and a sharp knife. Hold the strawberry slightly above the rim of the glass, with the pointy end facing out, but at 90° to the side of the glass.

Use the knife to cut a slit in the strawberry on the same angle as the glass so the strawb will slide onto the side of the glass. Gently push a straw through the strawberry, making sure that the angle allows the straw to sit in the bottom “point” of the martini glass (as shown at left). Slide the straw completely out and cut off the end which is now filled with strawberry. Slip the straw back through the strawberry and serve.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE FULL SIZE

Whoever you serve this up for, she’ll love it. Whether it’s your Mum on Mother’s Day, your wife, or that special lady you’re trying to impress. The drink is kind of fruity and sweet, and after two or three of these, she’ll be relaxed and giggling like a school girl. All you need then is the school uniform!