Cocktail Guide: May Kongsrivilai, UK Brand Ambassador for Bacardi RumBy Alicia Grimshaw
There’s so many new cocktail menus and bar openings happening in London, we simply can’t keep up. We’ve enlisted May Kongsrivilai, UK Brand Ambassador for Bacardi Rum to share her favourite cocktails available in the capital. If you’re thirsty for a new cocktail haut in London – say no more. Bottoms up:
1. For a Twist on a Mojito: Super Lyan
The Drink: Queen’s Park Swizzle
The Lowdown: Quietly tucked away in the basement of Hoxton Street, this bar is one of my top favourites, with an intimate atmosphere serving extremely top quality and interesting cocktails. For example, a mojito is a serve that everyone knows well as a long rum cooler, but the Queen’s Park Swizzle offers the same bright combination, with an added depth. Super Lyan’s Queen’s Park takes this idea and nuances it to not only BACARDÍ Carta Blanca rum, but the richer spice with Ocho Años Reserva. They use a variety of green herbs, taking the drink into different directions – with the herbal fresh oregano, aromatic Thai basil, or zesty with lemon verbena – the cocktail still has a balance of brightness and spice. The zestiness comes in a combination of citrus and White Lyan acids, whilst the avocado leaf bitters adds a subtle vegetal sweetness. Served over crushed ice, it slowly unfolds the greener fruitiness of carta blanca and the sweet chocolate notes of ocho.
Address: 155 Hoxton St, London N1 6PJ
2. For a Caribbean Classic: Coupette
The Drink: Champagne Colada
The Lowdown: This new opening on Bethnal Green has wowed those that have walked through the doors so far, their most popular cocktail, the Champagne Colada is a good reason why! The drink is a light and bright fresh twist on the Caribbean Classic. Completely different to the usual heavy, creamy blended version that exists – the drink combines BACARDÍ Heritage 44.5%, agricole rum, coconut sorbet from France, fresh pineapple juice, pineapple cordial bleed, topped with champagne. Et voila!
Address: 423 Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 0AN
3. For Cocktails on Tap: Duck & Waffle Local
The Drink: Milennial Mojito
The Lowdown: This baby duckling offers a faster, casual version of the high flyer, Duck & Waffle. Nothing is compromised still using the highest and freshest of quality – they provide efficiency through ‘Tap tails’, cocktails dispensed using a draft like mechanism. You can enjoy your Millennial Mojitos – Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, preserved mint, lime, sugar, lightly carbonated – within seconds.
Address: 52 Haymarket, St. James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RP
4. For a Tiki Cocktail: Trailer Happiness
The Drink: The Domino
The Lowdown: This world renowned little den in west London transports you to another time and place. Choose to escape with this new tiki concoction, The Domino – a blend of BACARDÍ Rums, Antica Formula, Fernet Branca, toasted cardamon bitters and toasted sesame seed syrup. It’s too good for words.
Address: 177 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY
5. For a Quirky Cocktail: Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel
The Drink: The Savoy Delivers
The Lowdown: The Beaufort bar’s new menu will have you encaptivated from beginning to end, with drinks that have been inspired by the hotel’s quirky history and in-house stories. My favourite is a drink called The Savoy Delivers, a simple concoction of BACARDÍ Ocho Años Reseva rum, Martini Bianco, fresh lime, honey and indian spices – inspired by the story of their old page boy who was sent to India to return a parcel back by hand to the Maharajah.
Address: 99 Strand, London WC2R 0EU
If you need more cocktail inspiration, BACARDÍ has mapped out some of the best bars in London to get a Mojito, or a Mojito with a twist this summer. From dancing the night away at Cargo to the candle lit London Cocktail Club on Islington’s notorious Essex Road, there are countless ways to enjoy this iconic cocktail. See the map below:
