Top 10: London Cocktail Week CocktailsBy Angelica Malin
On the hunt for the best London Cocktail Week cocktails? Take your pick below from our favourites. There’s alcoholic slushies, whisky tipples and other alcoholic concoctions. Time for a drink (or three):
1. For a Spiced Cocktail: Swingers – The Crazy Golf Club
The Drink: Butter Cinnamon Daiquiri (£6)
The Blend: Havana rum, vanilla infused syrup and fresh lime
The Story: Throughout LCW, Swingers are offering an exclusive new addition to their already extensive cocktail menu: the Butter Cinnamon Daiquiri. The deliciously tart cocktail is made with cinnamon butter washed Havana rum, vanilla infused syrup, fresh lime and served with a cinnamon crunch rim. Enjoy this special cocktail at any of Swingers’ five bars (you don’t have to be playing crazy golf to visit Swingers), or directly on either of the courses (so no need to interrupt the all-important game).
Where: 8 Brown’s Buildings, (between St Mary Axe and Bury Street), London EC3A 8AL
2. For a Sharp Cocktail: Heliot Steak House x 808 Whisky
The Drink: Haunted House (£7.50)
The Blend: 808 Whisky, apple liqueur, cinnamon syrup, pineapple juice and apple juice
The Story: Heliot Steak House has teamed up with 808 Whisky to create three exclusive cocktails that will be served throughout London Cocktail Week. The three new cocktails include the Haunted House with apple liqueur and cinnamon syrup, Nelson’s Column made with a muddle of 808 Whisky, fresh grapefruit and lime juice, and, lastly, the Ginger Nija with 808 Whisky, Cherry Heering and raspberry liqueur.
Where: 14 Cranbourn St, London WC2H 7JH
3. For a Frozen Cocktail: Super Lyan
The Drink: Brumble Slushie (£6)
The Blend: Bacardi Carta Oro, Purple Sizzurp and lemon thyme
The Story: For the duration of London Cocktail Week, the team at Super Lyan have a new toy to play with: a slushie machine. They’ll be serving up this zingy cocktail which combines Bacardi Carta Oro – a tasty golden rum – with their in-house ‘purple sizzurp’ and lemon thyme for a fresh finish.
Where: 155 Hoxton St, London N1 6PJ
4. For a Dessert Cocktail: Quaglino’s
The Drink: Southern Quaglino’s Fizz (£6)
The Blend: Southern Comfort, lemon juice, lime juice, heavy cream, Bergamot and egg white
The Story: For a cocktail as iconic at this Mayfair institution, the bar team at Quaglino’s have whipped up this twist on a Ramos Gin Fizz for LCW. Festival pass holders will be able to sip on this frothy, citrus delight which combines Southern Comfort with Bergamot and lemon juice. Head down on Friday for live music and cocktails aplenty.
Where: 16 Bury St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6AJ
5. For a Whisky Cocktail: Black Rock
The Drink: Talisker Remember the Maine (£6)
The Blend: Talisker Amoroso, homemade spiced cherry liqueur made with Bulleit Rye, Cocchi Barolo Chianti and a dash of bitters
The Story: Specialist whisky bar Black Rock is serving up big flavours in their new whisky based cocktail, Talisker Remember the Maine. Dry Scotch notes and light smoke are combined with fruit and spices, making this heady beauty the perfect slow sip serve.
Where: 9 Christopher St, London EC2A 2BS
6. For a Smokey Cocktail: The Devil’s Darling
The Drink: Stormy Bobby (£6)
The Blend: Talisker Storm, Cocchi di Torino, Benedettine and Peychaud’s
The Story: The Devil’s Darling is known for its classic cocktail menu, and for LCW they’re honouring the Bobby Burns serve with this twist: a Stormy Bobby. A rich, well-loved cocktail from the 1930s it’s spiced up with Talisker, and boasts a smokey finish thanks to the addition of Islay whisky.
Where: 9 Christopher St, London EC2A 2BS
7. For a Bubbly Cocktail: Balans Soho Society
The Drink: Grandiose
The Blend: Moskovskaya Vodka with Grand Marnier, orange marmalade and Champagne
The Story: Balans Soho Society have created an exclusive menu of Champagne cocktails on the theme of ‘Opulence’ to celebrate London Cocktail Week. The menu will run from the 2nd to the 8th October, and features the likes of the Kingmaker with hibiscus infused King of Soho gin mixed with Fiorente, vanilla and Champagne, and the Lady of Leisure with Pococello lemon liqueur and Fiorente, shaken with mint and finished with Champagne.
Where: Locations here
8. For a Royal Cocktail: Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, Suites and Residences
The Drink: Prince Henry of Wales (£11)
The Blend: Kaffir infused Bacardi, peach schnapps and ginger
The Story: Taj 51 Buckingham Gate, Suites and Residences, situated a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, shake up their cultivated cocktail menu and raise a toast to the Royals with a selection of drinks inspired by members of the monarchy specially for LCW. Cocktail connoisseurs can enjoy a zesty Prince Henry of Wales – an ode to Prince Harry – with Kaffir infused Bacardi and peach schnapps, infused with fragrant fresh ginger. The distinct Duchess contains a crisp chai-infused rum, coconut rum and lychee juice, finished with aromatic star anise, while the Prince of Wales delivers a mouth-watering mix of Penderyn Whiskey, honey and lemon.
Where: 51 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, London SW1E 6AF
9. For a Coconut Cocktail: Nobu Hotel Shoreditch
The Drink: Koko Chap Cocktail (£15)
The Blend: Crème de Cacao, Nobu coffee and Japanese aged whiskey
The Story: Nobu Hotel Shoreditch are offering a sip and snack for LCW in their Lobby Lounge. The tipples include the Koko Chap Cocktail, made from Crème de Cacao, Nobu coffee, Japanese aged whiskey, brandy, Sette Vie Amaretto and Benedictine, served with a Nobu Bite – Korobuta sausage roll with black sesame seeds nasu miso skewers.
Where: 10-50 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH
10. For a Caffeinated Cocktail: The Wigmore
The Drink: Blended Union (£6)
The Blend: Wigmore Saison beer with Amaro di Angostura rum, fresh Union coffee, mango and honey
The Story: Having just won the award for Best Cocktail by Drink.Up, the Blended Union is essentially the best cocktail for LCW. Frothy and downright delicious, the cocktail features a blend of Wigmore Saison beer and Amaro di Angostura rum. Fresh Union coffee is added for a caffeine hit, and mango and honey for fruity flavours.
Where: 15 Langham Place, Regent Street, London W1B 3DE
