The first of a two-part series on how to make better cocktails at home.

We're veteran cookbook authors Bruce Weinstein & Mark Scarbrough. We've written over three dozen titles for several New York publishers, including THE ULTIMATE PARTY DRINK BOOK (which you can find here).

In this episode of COOKING WITH BRUCE & MARK, we'll offer three simple tips to make every cocktail you prepare better every time. Cocktails are not rocket science. But with a little finesse, they can be even better.

Here are the segments of this episode:

[01:46] Up the booze you use--but don't go nuts!

[06:52] Use better mixers all around.

[11:51] Improve your ice game!