London Cocktail Week is back! Expert mixologist Rudi Carraro shares his 10 best cocktails in London to help you navigate your way through the festival, that includes a Wild Cardinal Martini and A Scoundrel Secret…
10 best cocktails in London
1. Disrepute
4 Kingly Court, London, W1B 5PW
An underground cocktail den decked out in luxurious 60’s-style velvet, lots of gold and tube lighting that make it feel like you’ve stepped into a futuristic first-class train carriage for a decadent drink.
Cocktail: Amatitan Sour
This delicious drink is made up of El Jimador blanco tequila, Amaro Montenegro, Banane du Brazil liqueur, fresh lime juice, fresh egg whites and orange bitters.
2. Dalloway Terrace
16-22 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NN
This Instagram-famed, covered courtyard is part of The Bloomsbury Hotel. Sip glasses of Champagne or Spritzes under its seasonal floral canopy and escape the city for an hour or two.
Cocktail: Johnnie Highball
This refreshing number is made up of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch whisky, peach liqueur, Amaro Montenegro and topped with soda water.
3. Tayer + Elementary
152 Old Street, London EC1V 9BW
A bar of two halves from a world-famous duo. Step into Elementary for something quick and pre-batched from the fridge, then onto Tayēr to watch a more complex creation unfold on the hexagonal stage.
Cocktail: Fragolino Sour
Made up of Maker’s Mark bourbon, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, fresh citrus and Fragolino.
4. Aqua Spirit
5th Floor, 30 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7EB
The cocktail bar and terrace has expertly made drinks with sushi on the side if you’re hungry.
Cocktail: Pineapple Smash
Made up of Crystal Head vodka, fresh pineapple juice, agave, citrus and fresh egg white.
5. Funkidory
42 Peckham Rye, London, SE15 4JR
Funkidory has reopened as a bar and store, selling vinyl records, natural wines, bottled cocktails and some amazing local products made in Peckham. There’s still 20 seats at the bar so guests can enjoy cocktails while listening to their cherry picked music selection.
Cocktail: Isabella
MUYU Vetiver Gris, tequila, lacto-fermented strawberry & grape cordial and topped with soda water.
6. Lyaness
20 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PD
Dandelyan has had a face-lift and has been paired with a new bar concept. The drinks explore the way we think of flavour by playing with some very unique ingredients.
Cocktail: Lincoln Julep
Made up of Angel’s Envy whiskey, Plum I Suppose liqueur, mint cordial, Infinite Banana, a dash of wood-spice bitters and topped with soda water.
7. Cahoots
13 Kingly Street, Kingly Court, London, W1B 5PG
Jazz, swing, lindy-hop and vintage cocktails in this blitz-style basement bar. The space has recently expanded across the street and now includes the original Underground station, the recently discovered Control Room basement and the ground floor Ticket Hall.
Cocktail: A Scoundrel Secret
Made up of Smirnoff Black vodka, homemade beetroot & honey shrub and fresh lime juice. Topped with home-infused coconut & basil soda.
8. Fare
11 Old Street, London, EC1V 8HL
The team behind Sager + Wilde bring an all day drinking and dining space with coffee from Assembly, along with their usual prowess for decent wine and a range of cocktails on tap.
Cocktail: Wilde Nettle Spritz
Made up of Belvedere vodka, wild nettles, 30&40 Double Jus, verjus and topped with sparkling apple juice.
9. Laki Kane
144-145 Upper Street, London, N1 1QY
Fantastic tropical-escape-inspired bar in the heart of Islington, with masterclasses, rum-making workshops and tiki mugs galore!
Cocktail: Sustainable Vice
A very sophisticated twist on Miami Vice, and made only with waste products from local businesses, this delicious cocktail is made up of Flor De Cana 12 yo rum, Flor De Cana 4 yo rum (redistilled with pineapple skin and citrus), grapefruit and lemon Oleo Saccharum, spiced pineapple tapache, lime cordial and squid ink. Served in a calabash fruit and garnished with dehydrated fruit mix.
10. Aviary
Montcalm Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1DX
An after-work favourite, towering above Finsbury Square with sleek interiors, classy cocktails and a south-facing terrace with soaring views of the city.
Cocktail: Wild Cardinal Martini
Made up of Tanqueray No.TEN gin, Belsazar Rosé aromatised wine, strawberry oleo saccharum, bitter aperitif and strawberry bitters.
Rudi Carraro is the Global Ambassador for Amaro Montenegro
Main image: Tayer + Elementary
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Hettie is the editor and co-founder of DOSE. A keen runner, she’s also partial to a blast of high-intensity and hot yoga. A country girl at heart, she divides her time between London and the lush rolling hills of North Devon. When she’s not jetting off on her next adventure, Hettie can be found in a candle-lit alcove with a laptop, a spaniel and a full bodied Malbec.
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/
- Hettie Holmeshttps://whateveryourdose.com/author/hettie/