Lorenzo Fiorentini's pouring out his story

Cocktail king Lorenzo Fiorentini pours out the story of his rise to the top over a couple of Sweet Mangoes

A cocktail has to taste good but also look good, says Italian mixologist Lorenzo Fiorentini as he begins whipping up one of his concoctions in front of me. For two nights only, Fiorentini brought his kick-ass list to Gazebo on Sukhumvit soi 1.

In less than a minute two fully garnished cocktails stand waiting on the bar, while Fiorentini is already reminiscing. "It [mixology] came to me naturally, like a calling," he says. "I started tending bars for fun, to earn extra cash. The next thing I know I'm travelling the world making cocktails for people from far-flung countries."

Degrees in mixology didn't exist 23 years ago when Milanese Fiorentini started out, but he got an education in standard cocktails from a year's observation of his first head barman. "My school is the way. Once you know the alcohol and you know what's good with what, you can make anything. But then again, you can make cocktails with no alcohol too - for that you need knowledge of fruits and vegetables."

That knowledge brought him a win at Singapore's international competition for mixologists two years ago, where his Sweet Mango cocktail seduced the judges. And those fruity flavours have also made him a hit at designer Giorgio Armani's Milan and Paris parties.

If he's not partying with Armani, Fiorentini will probably be in a club somewhere - Mexico, America, Costa Rica, Monte Carlo or a big city in Italy - creating a signature cocktail list for them.

"It's all about imagination. For an Indian club, I'll use Indian booze and herbs while at Latin-style bars, I use the local spice and alcohol. It gives each bar a unique character.

"The real way to judge a cocktail though is by sight, smell and taste. A good cocktail should look good, taste smooth and, most importantly, not have a sharp tang of alcohol. You have to experiment a lot, practice and remember.

"Oh, one more thing - don't drink when you're working!"