Our Team

Karl Tessendorf

Writer

Karl is a talented writer and recipe developer with a passion for the history of food and drink. He produced and starred in a TV series about craft beer and BBQ culture. He’s also written two recipe books about cooking over fire, and he loves to eat, drink and be merry.

Favourite Cocktail: I’m a seasonal drinker so it’s always changing but you can’t go wrong with a Caipirinha or a Negroni. Lime is my favourite citrus and I love its fresh zing on a hot summer’s day. And a Negroni, well it’s a Negroni—so what more is there to say?

Best Mixer Tip: If you’re just starting out in the world of cocktails then my advice is to always keep it simple. There are so many classic cocktails that are easy to make with just a few ingredients. They’re iconic for a reason so before you buy a fancy smoke machine for infusing cocktails, delve into the classics. You won’t be disappointed.

Top cocktails Karl thinks you should make:

5 min Easy

Between the Sheets Cocktail

5 min Easy

Americano Cocktail Recipe

5 min Easy

Black Manhattan Recipe

5 min Medium

Boulevardier Cocktail Recipe

5 min Easy

Mudslide Cocktail Recipe

Karl's articles

Negroni Week 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Negroni Week first hit the scene in 2013, starting out with just 120 bars pouring Campari, gin, and vermouth for a cause. Fast-forward to today, and what began as a small idea has blown up into a global movement with thousands of venues and countless fans raising a glass together. At its core, nothing’s changed: […]

The Complete History of the Negroni

The history of the Negroni cocktail stretches back over a hundred years. Deeply rooted in Italian aperitivo history, it’s about how one man’s craving for something a little bolder and more potent than usual resulted in an iconic drink. At its core, the Negroni is a simple three-ingredient cocktail, but its impact has crossed borders, shaped […]

Negroni Variations to Try at Home

Negroni variations are proof that even legends can switch up their vibe. The classic formula (equal parts Campari, gin and sweet vermouth) hasn’t just survived more than a century; it’s become the ultimate template for creativity. That’s because Campari is the unshakable anchor: its bold, bittersweet punch ties every riff together, no matter what spirit […]

The Finest British Cocktails to Serve at Home

Friends, cocktail drinkers, and countrymen! Lend us your taste buds because we’re about to embark on a boozy journey of discovery around the United Kingdom. That’s right, we’re talking British cocktails today, and by Jove, are you in for a tasty treat! We’ve got whiskey, vodka, bourbon, and as you’d expect from the British, a […]

16 Cocktail Recipes for Those on a Budget

The end of the year is fast approaching, and with it comes that elusive list of New Year’s resolutions. If you’re anything like us, then right under ‘go to gym more’ will be ‘budget better’. Well, my penny-pinching friends, do we have a treat for you today! We’ve put together a list of 16 of […]

7 Best Cocktail Bars in Edinburgh for 2025

Edinburgh has many amazing cocktail bars, but which one should you visit? You could ask Siri to search ‘best cocktail bars Edinburgh’, but you’d still have to sift through the results. Well, my friends, it’s your lucky day because we’ve done the work for you, and compiled a handy list. It features Edinburgh’s best bars, […]