Top 5: Cocktails You Need to Drink in London This WeekendBy Angelica Malin
As the weekend rears its head once again – we’ve teamed up with our pals over at Highshot to bring you five cocktails you need to sip in London this weekend. If you’ve never heard on Highshot, here’s what you need to know: Highshot is Europe’s first on-demand, subscription based “Digital Cocktail Pass”, featuring a curated list of highly-rated bars, lunges and restaurants in London. They offer members one free cocktail every day at any of their partnered venues for £9.99 a month, and if you sign up now they’re offering a 5-day free trial.
Less talking, more drinking. Here’s 5 cocktails you need to try this weekend:
The Cocktail: Nagami Potion
The Blend: Chairman Rum, Aperol, Viscolatta, half lime, gomme sugar and kumquat fruit
The Lowdown: Of all the bars on the Southbank, Skylon stands out for the quality of its cocktails and its talented team of mixologists. The restaurant and bar is truly beautiful. You can’t help but fall in love with the place; dimly lit, uber cool modern furnishings and thanks to floor to ceiling windows, the restaurant offers panoramic views of The Thames. Alongside their extensive wine menu, the cocktail bar also rustle up innovative cocktails – the Rosemary Mule made from homemade fennel seeds infused vodka, rosemary sugar and cherry liquor is a liquid dream.
Where: Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX
2. For Chicken and Cocktails: Absurd Bird Soho
The Cocktail: Savvy Sling
The Blend: Bombay Sapphire, mint, pomegranate seeds, lemon juice, simple syrup and house white wine
The Lowdown: Absurd Bird brings the soul-warming comfort food of the American South to the streets of Soho. Here you’ll find good value grub, and innovative twists on deep-south classics. There’s only one way to wash down a hefty plate of chicken and waffles, and that’s with one of their alcoholic concoctions. Work your way through the incredible cocktail list, put together by the mixology masterminds at Soulshakers.
Where: 25 Peter St, Soho, London W1F 0AH
3. For a Fruity Cocktail: Zelman Drinks
The Cocktail: Aguas Frescas
The Blend: Havana Club 3, Kraken Rum, guava, pineapple and banana
The Lowdown: Zelman Drinks is Finsbury Park’s answer to a fine drinking establishment. It’s a pub, cocktail bar and live music venue all rolled into one. And if you’re an Arsenal fan – you’re in luck, as they show games on two 64″ TVs. Football aside, their cocktail menu changes seasonally. For summer, the Aguas Frescas is the perfect cooler – a refreshing mix of guava, pineapple and Kraken Rum is just what the doctor ordered.
Where: 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park, London N4 2DH
4. For a Refreshing Cocktails: Bodo’s Schloss
The Cocktail: Cucumber Crush
The Blend: Tanqueray Gin, Midori Watermelon Liqueur, muddled cucumber, fresh lime Juice and soda water
The Lowdown: Bodo’s Schloss offers a slice of the Swiss alps in Kensington. This Kitsch Alpine-style restaurant with costumed staff gets wild at the weekend when city workers splash their cash on huge bottles of vodka and champers. This place isn’t for everyone – but if you’re up for dining on schnitzel and fondue, before hitting up the liquid delights from the ultimate après ski drinking vessels – Bodo’s Schloss is right up your street.
Where: 2A Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 4PT
The Blend: Wild strawberry and Hazelnut, Frangelico, Crème de Fraise and Prosecco
The Bootlegger: Throwing back to the roaring 1920s, The Bootlegger’s retro basement lounge oozes that speakeasy vibe. Situated a stone’s throw from Fenchurch Street station, the bar is adorned with vintage American ornaments and drinking paraphernalia. Pop in on Thursdays and Fridays for live music, and plenty of dancing.
Where: 25-26 Lime St, London EC3M 7HR
