When the city turns sticky, step away from the fan and find something chilled instead. From sorbet-spiked cocktails to olive oil-drizzled gelato, London’s restaurants and bars are rolling out inventive ways to beat the heat this May. Here are the coolest things to eat and drink right now – no paddling pool required.

1. With Boozy Sorbets: Oriole x Ice Cream Union

What: Oriole, the speakeasy bar in Covent Garden, has teamed up with Ice Cream Union to serve Champagne Sgroppini this May. And they’re delicious. These frothy, sorbet-topped cocktails, curated by head bartender Samet Ali, come in three inventive flavours: think raspberry sorbet with elderflower liqueur and peach aperitif; blood orange sorbet spiked with Pisco Aba and grapefruit sherbet; or mango sorbet paired with Toki Japanese whisky and yuzu sake.

Where: 7-9 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB

2. With an Iced Chiya: Eat Momo

What: For a refreshing twist on your summer sip, head to Eat Momo in Borough Yards, where their new iced chiya offers a cool, spiced take on traditional Nepali milk tea. Pair it with a plate of their hand-folded momos – the dumplings that made them a cult favourite – and you’ve got sunshine eating, sorted.

Where: Arch 229, 1 Bank End, London, SE1 9FJ

3. With a Sundae: Pastaio x Soft & Swirly 

What: Cool down in Soho this May with Pastaio’s latest collaboration – a sun-drenched gelato mash-up with cult soft-serve crew Soft & Swirly. Two limited-edition sundaes are on offer: one pairs their lemon and olive oil ice cream with whipped ricotta, strawberries and toasted almonds; the other riffs on tiramisu with marsala and coffee scoops, whipped mascarpone, chocolate flakes and a dusting of cocoa. Both are as playful as they are indulgent – and available all month long.

Where: 19 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BN

4. With Gelato: Wildflowers

What: Wildflowers’ Fior di latte gelato – drizzled with olive oil, flecked with sea salt, and finished with a splash of grape balsamic – is sunshine in dessert form. Best savoured on their just-launched courtyard terrace in Newson’s Yard, it’s an instant mini-break to the Med without leaving SW1.

Where: Newson’s Yard, 57 Pimlico Rd, London SW1W 8NE

5. For an Iced Oat Latte: Hagen

What: Fancy an iced latte without the beans? Head to Hagen’s North Audley Street espresso bar, the only place in London pouring Atomo – the game-changing, beanless coffee from Seattle. Made from upcycled superfoods like date seeds and green banana, it’s bold, smooth, and served exclusively as an iced oat latte.

Where:  North Audley Street, Mayfair, London W1K 6WE