5 Ways to Celebrate the End of Dry January in LondonBy Angelica Malin
You’ve done it. You’ve made it to the last day of Dry January. The end is nigh. Put down that tonic water and non-alcoholic beer (an abomination on the tastebuds), and head forth to these bars to toast the driest and saddest month of the year.
1. For a 50:50 Menu: Bocca di Lupo
The Run-Down: Bocca di Lupo’s 50:50 martini vermouth menu, creates the classic cocktail in the way it was originally served, giving a more floral, citrusy taste that is refreshing to drink.
Drink: The menu features five serves which show off the sweet vermouth and gin/vodka in equal measure, making it an interesting and enjoyable drink both for regular and uninitiated martini drinkers, or to simply ease into the evening with a lighter cocktail. Each cocktail will be served with a different combination of gin or vodka, vermouth, and garnishes, catering to all tastes and preferences.
Where: 12 Archer St, Soho, London W1D 7BB
2. For Reinvented Cocktails: Every Cloud
The Run-Down: Hackney’s favourite new(ish) neighbourhood cocktail bar has some unusual takes on classic drinks. Every Cloud excel at creative cocktails, and their menu isn’t short of out there flavour combinations. A must visit for any avid cocktail fan.
Drink: Campari and beer is a surprisingly winning combo, and has led to a few interesting takes like the Peroni Negroni (a mini Negroni dropped into a Peroni). Every Cloud’s elaborate take on the idea sees them combine Campari, lemon, sugar and chickpea water (the trendy vegan alternative to egg whites) and top it with 5 Points XPA. Inspired by classic fizz cocktails, the drink is a beautifully bitter refreshing thirst quencher. If you’re in the mood for something shorter you can always ask them for a Ferrari, a bitter and twisted shot of half Campari and half Fernet Branca – a super sour tipple which packs a punch.
Where: 11A Morning Ln, London E9 6ND
3. For a Happy Hour: Duck & Waffle Local
The Run-Down: Duck & Waffle Local is launching a new Happy Hour and bar menu just in time to mark the end of Dry January. From 4pm – 7pm, Monday through Friday, Duck & Waffle Local will be offering their cocktail, drink and bar snack menus from half price at the bar, with cocktails starting at £5 and bar snacks £3.
Drink: The cocktail menu has been curated by Duck & Waffle’s award-winning head of Spirit & Cocktail Development Rich Woods, and include his unique on-tap cocktails, affectionately referred to as ‘Taps & Tails’. Rich’s creations include the Breakfast Fizz with Grey Goose L’Orange, pink grapefruit, and burnt toast infusion, as well as the White Wine Basil Spritz’, with Bombay Sapphire gin, white wine, basil and apricot. As always, local brews “Holy Duck” IPA and Local Lager, as well as a selection of wines, are available.
Where: 52 Haymarket, St. James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RP
4. For a New Cocktail Menu: Quaglinos
The Run-Down: Swanky Quaglino’s has launched ‘Q Aperitivo’, a brand new menu featuring 7 expertly mixed cocktails accompanied by a selection of bar snacks. The menu has been created by Quaglino’s passionate bar team alongside Executive Head Chef Piero Leone, and is accompanied by live music in the bar every week.
Drink: The Q Aperitivo Cocktail Menu includes: Conte Cavour consisting of London N1 gin blendedwith Cinzano Bianco & Rosso, Cinzano Asti and vanilla, lemon balm and verbena. Inspired by one of the classics and most appreciated Aperitif around Italy, La Scala features Campari stirred with Martini Rubino, Cynar and Amer Picon. La Gondola is a refreshing mix of Maraschino, lime, kiwi topped up with Prosecco, and the Negroni-style cocktail, Ponte Vecchio features Sultanas and rosemary infused Tanqueray 10 blended with the rich notes of Martini Ambrato, Campari, Barolo Chinato and Galliano Balsamico.
Where: 16 Bury St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6AJ
5. For an Experience: The Berkeley
The Run-Down: The Blue Bar at The Berkeley has created ‘Out Of The Blue’ to take everyone on an explorative journey of taste by stimulating the senses through a combination of the finest ingredients and bespoke technology. At ‘Out Of The Blue’, four guests will have the exclusive opportunity to try curated cocktails in a secret space within the heart of the hotel where tailored technology, culinary science and mixology will meet to enhance the perception of flavour through sight, sound and scent.
Drink: Taking inspiration from the Blue Bar’s True Colours menu, a set menu of four taster sized cocktails has been created by the Blue Bar team using select premium spirits from Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands portfolio (BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, GREY GOOSE vodka, BACARDÍ OCHO rum and Aberfeldy single malt) with the addition of Laurent-Perrier bringing an effervescent affect to one of the four. The cocktail sequence will interlock to create a coherent flavour experience, tantalising the taste buds through a journey where light acidity and sweetness is balanced by potency and depth.
Where: Wilton Pl, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL