Top 5: Cocktails You Need to Drink This WeekendBy Angelica Malin
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 Whiskey Cocktail: Jack Daniel’s x Harvey Nichols
The Drink: Champagne Sazerac
The Blend: Jack Daniel’s D150, Champagne Syrup, Peychaud’s bitters, Angostura bitters and Absinthe rinse
The Story: To celebrate 150 years of the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett, has created an anniversary expression. Running until November, Jack Daniel’s have partnered with the Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar in Knightsbridge, where the bar team will expertly mix the Champagne Sazerac cocktail. This Sazerac is all about enhancing the enjoyment of the Jack Daniel’s 150th Anniversary whiskey, and these flavours awaken the senses. By combining the sweet aromatic effect of the Absinthe rinse and the two contrasting flavours of bitters, the complexity of the taste is enhanced without overpowering the luxurious sweet complexities of butterscotch and toffee of the Jack Daniel’s.
Where: Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ
2. For a Retro Cocktail: Coin Laundry
The Drink: Pina Colada
The Blend: Rum, coconut blend and pineapple
The Story: Coin Laundry, the 1970s-inspired restaurant in Clerkenwell specialises in nostalgia-inducing culinary delights and their new cocktail menu unashamedly revives maligned retro classics from the likes of soda-streams and snowballs. The Grape Rickey features red grape and elderflower Sodastream with your choice of either vodka, tequila or scotch thrown into the mixture. Relax downstairs in their subterranean bar complete with slouchy sofas, pinball machines and contemporary film posters. You will able to order a veritable buffet spread of inventive bar snacks such as cheese and pineapple, deep fried cockles and chicken popcorn while getting stuck into a good board game.
Where: 70 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QP
3. For a Gin Cocktail: Bombay Sapphire x Chiltern Firehouse
The Drink: Gateway to Bombay
The Blend: Barrel aged fermented tonic with Bombay air
The Story: Bombay Sapphire has unveiled the ‘Artistry of the Ultimate Gin & Tonic’, a programme of discovery that celebrates the artistry behind the Ultimate Gin & Tonic serve. Bombay Sapphire invited six of the UK’s leading mixologists from some of London’s most acclaimed bars to create a reinterpretated expression of the Bombay Sapphire Ultimate Gin & Tonic. Dean Shurry at the Chiltern Firehouse is passionate about the art of bar tending and creating drinks for London’s leading bars for the past 12 years. Dean’s Gateway to Bombay blends barrel aged fermented tonic with Bombay air that nods towards the birthplace of the gin & tonic in India.
Where: 1 Chiltern St, London W1U 7PA
4. For Global Cocktails: St James’ Bar
The Drink: Lost City of Incas
The Blend: Pisco, Aperol, Mandarine Napoleon liqueur, lime juice, gomme syrup, grapefruit bitters, orange marmalade and peppermint tea
The Story: The St James’ Bar at The Balcon have just released their all new cocktail menu, inspired by the different wonders of the world, using ingredients sourced or associated with that particular country. If you’re feeling at a loss since the Olympics ended – these will perk you right up. The Lost City of Incas represents Peru – Pisco is muddled with Aperol, Mandarine Napoleon liqueur and lime juice to create one mega tipple. If you fancy taking a trip to China, order the 5500 Miles, paying homage to the Great Wall of China – the cocktail blends Talker, HKB Baijiu, Antica formula with fresh raspberry and plum bitters.
Where: 8 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5NG
5. For a Martini: Italicus x Sartoria
The Drink: Savile Row Martini
The Blend: Italicus,Tio Pepe fino sherry and Orange Bitter Bittertrouth
The Story: The Libare Bar found inside Sartoria, the Italian restaurant located on Savile Row, combines a dash of timeless Mayfair charm with a measure of European glamour. The Libare Bar cocktail menu comprises of liqueurs and spirits from independent and boutique producers, such as Jerry Thomas Project and Cocchi. The drinks list remains true to the bar’s Italian roots, starring the new aperitivo once enjoyed by the King of Savoy, Italicus. The Savile Row Martini is a twist on the classic, expect big citrus notes with hints of rose and lavender.
Where: 20 Savile Row, London W1S 3PR
