12 Ways to Stay Cool During the Heatwave in LondonBy Angelica Malin
Yes, yes, it’s really hot. Too hot for us to write proper introductions. Too hot to type. There’s only time to eat ice cream and drink spritzes. Here’s 10 top ways to stay cool in the capital during the heatwave:
1. For New Summer Drinks: Pret
What: There’s a new ‘secret’ iced drinks menu now available at Pret, featuring Iced Matcha Latte, Iced Turmeric Latte, Ice Mocha, Iced Chai and Iced Chocolate.
The Lowdown: Alongside traditional iced coffees, Pret’s expert Baristas will, for the first time, be serving Iced Turmeric Lattes, Iced Matcha Lattes, Iced Chocolate, Iced Chai and Iced Mocha. The ‘secret’ drinks won’t appear on the menu displayed in shops just yet, but customers in the know can order these from Team Members in the selected shops that would serve their usual iced coffee. Both the Matcha and Turmeric Iced Lattes are made as standard with rice-coconut milk but can also be made with soy milk or organic dairy milk, so customers can enjoy their drink, exactly how they’d like it.
Where: Prets nationwide
2. For a Countryside Hideaway: Dalloway Terrace
What: Dalloway Terrace will be offering Londoners a taste of summer in the English countryside with the launch of Dalloway Summer Estate, in partnership with Ramsbury, maker of single-estate spirits.
The Lowdown: From 24th July, you will be treated to a takeover at the renowned terrace, complete with a striking English floral installation and refreshing cocktails made with ingredients grown on the Ramsbury Estate in Wiltshire. Courtesy of master florist Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart, the new look at Dalloway Terrace will evoke the sights of the English countryside. The terrace will be complete with botanical cocktails on tap, such as The Bell with apricot, black olive, rosemary and Ramsbury Single Estate Gin. Also on offer will be a unique G&T which drinkers are able to garnish themselves using flourishes fresh from the Ramsbury Estate, such as rosemary, quince, dried apple, lemongrass, dried lemon and fresh lime.
Where: 16-22 Great Russell St, Fitzrovia, London WC1B 3NN
3. For a Secret Tipple: Secret Spritz Garden
What: In the middle of bustling Farringdon, hidden behind ivy covered walls and unknown to passers-by, lies the Secret Spritz Garden which will open on 8th August.
The Lowdown: Created by the botanical drink makers Fentimans, the Secret Spritz Garden will be an oasis for after-work drinks and savoured weekend cocktails during the parched summer days. The Pink Rhubarb Spritz, which will be served in the beautiful herb garden, is a simple and refreshing serve comprising Martini Bianco, Fentimans Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water garnished with slices of orange and fresh mint.
Where: St John’s Cloister Garden, St John’s Lane, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 4DA
4. For a Spritz Menu: Heads + Tails
What: Heads +Tails has teamed up with Sekforde this summer to create a Mediterranean-inspired spritz menu to be served on the lush outdoor terrace in West Hampstead.
The Lowdown: Spritzes include the aromatic Sicilian Monk Spritz featuring Italian amaro, Punt e Mes bitter vermouth, orange bitters and Sekforde mixer raspberry, rose and sage. The bar also offers an ‘Aperitivo Hour’ in which spritz-style drinks, such as the West End Spritz with Aperol, Suze, Bergamot & Mandarin cordial and soda, are £5.
Where:175 West End Ln, West Hampstead, London NW6 2LH
5. For a Tropical Paradise: Granary Square Brasserie
What: This summer Granary Square Brasserie will transform its terrace into a tropical paradise in collaboration with Jamaican coconut rum, Koko Kanu.
The Lowdown: Until September, guests and sun-seekers will be transported to an exotic tropical island with a striking installation and archway featuring luscious palm trees and pink hummingbirds, as well as a series of limited-edition cocktails and weekend brunch events. Granary Square Brasserie will also be hosting a series of tropical brunch events with live entertainment, Koko Kanu cocktails and dishes from the restaurant’s sumptuous weekend brunch menu. The next brunch is coming up on Saturday 27th July with a live DJ and saxophonist performing helping set the Caribbean beat to the weekend.
Where: 1-3 Stable St, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AA
6. For a Love Island Screening: Bull In A China Shop
What: Gin Mare is coupling up with Shoreditch’s Bull In A China Shop to celebrate the Love Island 2019 final in true Factor 50 style. The biggest TV event of the summer paired with bottomless bevs – we challenge you to name us a better duo.
The Lowdown: From just £20 per person, guests can kick back and relax in Bull In A China Shop’s garden while the drama unfolds on the big screen. Loyal Love Island fans can enjoy bottomless G&Ts, inspired by the (yet to be revealed) final couples, gin popsicles and bar snacks, while bidding farewell to this year’s islanders and celebrating the return of their own social life.
Where: Tickets can be purchased here.
7. For a Summer Ice Cream Menu: Gelupo
What: Fancy an ice cream? You’re in luck: everyone’s favourite Gelupo, has recently launched a new menu of summer flavours.
The Lowdown: Gelupo‘s tasty new menu is made up of summertime treats and tipples, with some delicious and unusual flavours. Flavours include; Tiramisu, Sour Cherry & Sambuca, Hendricks Summer Gin & Elderflower Cucumber sorbet, Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn and Peanut Butter & Blueberry. Go on, treat yourself.
Where: 7 Archer St, Soho, London W1D 7AU
8. For Innovative Ice Cream: José Pizarro
What: To beat the heatwave this week, much-loved Spanish Chef José Pizarro has created a range of innovative, must-try ice creams at his Bermondsey restaurant.
The Lowdown: There are five refreshing flavours to help guests beat the heat. Flavours include roasted pineapple, orange crumble, pineapple ice cream with smoked Pimentón de La Vera and grapefruit and coriander cress. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Apricot & Tejas dulces de Sevilla – a variation on the recipe from José’s recent book, Andalusia; a heavenly combination of sweet apricot sorbet and crisp almond tejas.
Where: 36 Broadgate Cir, London EC2M 1QS
9. For Vegan Milkshakes: Rudy’s Dirty Vegan Diner
What: London’s 1st 100% vegan diner has just opened a new, bigger and better diner within the Market, complete with new vegan shake bar.
The Lowdown: The diner’s indulgent vegan shake bar promises to appeal to everyone’s inner child, serving vegan freak-shakes made using vegan ice-cream and oat milk. The menu will feature instagrammable serves such as Rainbow Unicorn (Skittles, candy floss, bubble gum syrup, rainbow pops, fizzy rainbow strips and iced Party Rings) as well as Rudy’s Childhood Memories (chocolate & peanut butter, chocolate sugar wafer and peanuts) and the Golden Banana Biscoff Bonanza, all priced at £6.00.
Where: Camden Stables Market, Unit 729-731, London NW1 8AH
10. For Instagrammable Ice Cream: Chin Chin Labs
What: Want to try something different? Chin Chin Labs in Camden Market serves up Europe’s first liquid nitro ice cream and we really love it.
The Lowdown: New serves this summer include the upgraded Killer Marshmallow Cone: smooth, pillowy, gooey, chewy and crunchy blow torched handmade marshmallow, served in a fresh hand rolled cone with the new vegan ‘Black Sesame Cake’ ice cream flavour from £4.95. Also available sandwiched between two warm cookies or top of warm cookie dough from £5.50.
Where: 49-50 Camden Lock, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF
11. For Gin Lovers: Bar 31 at The Shard
What: Bar 31 has opened an al fresco Tanqueray gin garden terrace. Open now through to the end of September, the Tanqueray residency invites visitors to experience a new citrus inspired gin cocktail menu at the Shard’s number one neighbourhood bar.
The Low down: Celebrating the fresh notes of Tanqueray No. TEN, Tanqueray Rangpur, Tanqueray Lovage and Tanqueray Flor De Sevilla, the lush, summer garden is the perfect sanctuary to enjoy an afternoon drink with friends. Highlights on the menu include the Royal Blush cocktail made with Tanqueray No. TEN, rhubarb, lemonade and fresh raspberries and the Lovage cocktail which mixes Tanqueray Lovage with Fever -Tree Tonic, coriander and Juniper berries. The team at Bar 31 have also launched their very own picnic box to complement the menu.
Where: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
12. For Aperol addicts: Bar No. 3
What: Smiths of Smithfield – four floors equaling four opportunities to experience the boozy (or not so boozy if you’re not into that) creations of this newly revitalised Farringdon institution. On the top floor? No.3 Restaurant & Terrace offering a little bit of luxury with incredible views.
The Lowdown: The people of London are usually spoilt for choice when it comes to roof or terrace watering holes offering the much-loved combination of drinks and views. But there’s something a bit different about this one. It’s a little bit pretty, a little bit refined, a little bit elegant and a little bit cool. An Aperol Spritz overlooking St. Paul’s? I’ll take 10, please.
Where: 67-77 Charterhouse St, Farringdon, London EC1M 6HJ
