Top 5: Cocktails You Need to Drink in London This WeekendBy Alicia Grimshaw
Thirsty? Need a new cocktail spot? Never fear, we’re here to help. We’ve drank our way round the capital to bring you the best cocktails you should be spending your sparkles on this weekend. Happy sipping, London:
1. For a French Cocktail: Il Bar at the Bulgari Hotel
The Drink: Garden State
The Blend: Clove and Basil Infused Gin, Thyme Liqueur, Amalfi Lemon and Geranium Flower
The Story: To coincide with the start of summer, the Il Bar at Knightsbridge’s Bulgari Hotel has launched a new cocktail menu, which perfectly captures the essence of the French and Italian Mediterranean coasts. The new menu is split into four sections which each offer a unique taste of a voyage down the coast: salty breeze and coastal views, influenced by the salty mist and views of the sea along the journey; sun kissed fruits and hints of earth, inspired by the native fruits of the coastal region between the Côte d’Azur and Calabria, wild herbs and fragrant air, which captures the flavours and aromas of the coast from Provence to Tuscany, and homage to Count Camillo negroni, featuring five intriguing twists on the iconic Italian classic. The Garden State cocktail is inspired by the aromas and flavours of the coast from Provence to Tuscany, this ornate and fragrant twist on a Tom Collins combines clove and basil infused gin, fragrant thyme liqueur and delicate Amalfi lemon.
Where: 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW
2. For Edible Cocktails: Duck and Waffle
The Drink: Daily Grind
The Blend: Soured Vodka, Spent Coffee Grinds, Lemon Leaf Aperitivo and Stone Fruit Liqueur
The Story: Intriguing, clever and unique, Duck & Waffle’s Urban Foraging vs. Urban Decay delivers one of the best cocktail menus at the restaurant to date. Duck & Waffle’s Head of Spirit & Cocktail Development, Rich Woods has once again turned his hand to off the wall flavour combination and zany ingredients. Picking up wild edible and discarded ingredients common to city life, Rich (aka Willy Wonka) showcases the playfulness and creativity for which he has become widely known in this inventive menu. Cocktails from the Urban Foraging section of the list incorporate ingredients sourced in London, including tree bark, fresh cut grass, English strawberry leaf and moss. Cocktails from the Urban Decay section, on the other hand, feature discarded food elements – including banana skins, tomato stalks and leaves, asparagus ends and burnt toast.
Where: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
3. For a Sharing Cocktail: The Sun Tavern
The Drink: Festival Punch
The Blend: Beefeater Gin, Cider, Cassis and Black Tea Syrup
The Story: This summer, The Sun Tavern is helping the masses embrace the festival season with two boozy punches: Punch Bowl #1, a reviving blend of Beefeater Gin, Cider, Cassis and Black Tea Syrup; available alongside Punch Bowl #2, a concoction of Ban Poitín, Sipsmith Sloe Gin, Bold Cherry Aperitif, Pale Ale and Lemon Juice – all in bountiful supply. Ideal for sharing at The Sun’s weathered, wooden copper-topped bar, but when the sun is shining and the outdoors pining both punches can be bottled up into single serve sizes to take away. The Sun is also rewarding dedicated festivalgoers including those hitting up Victoria Park for Lovebox and Citadel, or Latitude and Secret Garden Party further afield, 25% off the punches, mixed drinks and tankard cocktails on the menu. Simply show your festival wristband on purchase of any drink between July and September 2016 to comply.
Where: 441 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 0AN
4. For a Fruity Cocktail: Little Bird
The Drink: The Little Bird Cocktail
The Blend: Vanilla and Ginger infused Red Leg Rum, Passion Fruit, Creme de Fraise Strawberry, Pineapple and Phillipe Betrand Brut Blanc de Blancs
The Story: The latest venture from successful restauranteur Lorraine Angliss has just opened its doors in Chiswick. The Little Bird cocktail bar has been kitted out in mood-boosting interiors, stylish and fun fittings, a seriously good food menu, and a dazzling cocktail menu to match. This neighbourhood cocktail bar joins the family of Lorraine’s successful portfolio of West London restaurants: Rock & Rose in Richmond and Annie’s in Barnes and Chiswick. Adam Bozsoki from Richmond’s Rock & Rose has created a drinks menu featuring classic cocktails, infused with kitchen garden herbs alongside Little Bird’s own signature concoctions. Their self titled Little Bird cocktail is a heady mix of vanilla and ginger infused Red Leg Rum, Creme de Fraise Strawberry and pineapple for a real fruity kick.
Where: 1 Station Parade, Burlington Lane, Chiswick, LONDON W4 3HD
5. For a Gin Cocktail: TRADE UNION
The Drink: English Rose
The Blend: Bloom Gin, Rose Water, Lemon and Orange
The Story: Wapping’s exciting new multi-purpose venue brings together some of London’s hippest lifestyle brands under one roof for one-stop drinking, grooming, and floristry. With a dedicated gin bar it is fitting that TRADE UNION drinks menu offers a medley of cocktails that showcase juniper such as the English Rose, a fruity, floral mix of Bloom gin, rose water, lemon and orange that can be enjoyed in TRADE UNION‘s outdoor patio surrounded by flowers from Maua, their very own on-site florist. If you’re an early riser, their trained baristas can knock up excellent caffeine creations using beans from Vagabond Coffee Roasters.
Where: Thomas More Square, London E1W 1YN
