More vodka is consumed than any other spirit in the Western world but although Britons certainly enjoy drinking it, not many people know that it's a great ingredient for cooking at home.

Vodka can do delicious things to food it tenderises meat, helps prevent cream sauces curdling, de-glazes pans and adds flavour all while delivering a unique taste.

If you're not sure where to begin in taking those vodka bottles out of the drinks cabinet and into the kitchen cupboard, The Vodka Cookbook by John Rose has some suggestions.

Rose has collected 100 recipes using vodka, from brunch and main meals through to desserts.

"In some recipes the vodka is used to simply perk up a classic dish. But in most cases the vodka is integral to the result and creates a unique and flavourful meal," he says.

"Even one of these recipes would be good enough to spice up any meal and add spirit (pun intended) to any gathering."

With so many recipes to choose from, there's more than enough ideas to throw a vodka-themed dinner party.

"Nothing inspires quite like vodka," Rose says enthusiastically. "While just one of the recipes in this book will add novelty to any meal, it can be more fun to present several vodka dishes providing a unique theme to a special gathering."

But a word of warning cheap vodka might just impair the eating experience. "Just as you should always cook with the best wines, be sure to use premium vodka in all these recipes," insists Rose.

Though the cooking and consuming of vodka dishes should provide much merriment, a little adult behaviour is also required it's important not to serve these dishes to children or others who do not or should not consume alcohol.

However, it's unlikely your diners will be rolling around the table after sampling.

"Once you factor in the cooking method and the proportion of vodka to other ingredients, then divide by the number of servings, the alcohol content of many dishes will be negligible," Rose says.

"There is no need to turn these recipes into lab experiments I mean... if you can't have fun with a vodka cookbook, you may need to seek professional help."

Lisa Haynes and Gabrielle Fagan