Some of the capital's best spots for a glass (or two) of wine, from cult natural wine bars to laidback neighbourhood joints
Looking for the best London wine bars? I've spent the past eight years writing about London's drinks scene for olive, and one of the things I'm most excited about is the explosion in new-wave wine bars across the capital. From trendy natural wine spots in Shoreditch to Gallic boltholes in Covent Garden and vermuterias in King's Cross, there's something to cater for every taste. So whether you're in the mood for a glass of funky orange wine, a fizzy pét nat or a big, bold Italian red, we've got you covered. Make sure you keep coming back here for updates, as I'll be refreshing this guide with the latest openings and discoveries. Next discover the best new restaurants in London, best dining experiences in London and best food and drink festivals to visit. Also discover some of our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Covent Garden, best restaurants in Kings Cross and best restaurants in Shoreditch. If you're partial to a cocktail served with stellar sound systems, discover our favourite listening bars in London. Best wine bars in London Passione Vino, Clerkenwell There’s something about the sight of a hefty wine menu that can induce a brain fog – too much choice can often be overwhelming. So, what if you got rid of it? Veronese Luca Dusi has been importing and selling Italian wine in London for more than 20 years, and he has no truck with wine lists. At his much-loved east London fixture, Passione Vino in Shoreditch, guests simply drink whatever Luca thinks they might enjoy. He’s brought the same idea to his new site on Exmouth Market, where you can tell staff what you’re in the mood for and they’ll make their own intuitive recommendations, bringing over a few bottles to try and talking passionately about different grapes, producers and regions. It’s a relaxed, interactive and inclusive way to choose wine, and you’re almost always guaranteed to discover something you really like. On to the bar itself, Passione Vino has taken over the digs of a family tattoo parlour on Exmouth Market. A rich blue frontage – the original ‘Electric Tattooing’ still picked out in gold on the windows – leads into a warmly inviting space with bare plaster walls, metallic-topped tables and a bar lined with colourful jars of pickles and bottles. The wine list is an all-Italian affair and our server did a fine job of introducing us to new grapes and styles we hadn’t tried before. We enjoy a peachy, lemony sylvaner from the Alpine Isarco Valley in South Tyrol; a fresh, red fruit-and-herb-flecked nebbiolo from Valtellina in Lombardy; and a soft, fragrant pòllera from the ancient region of Lunigiana which straddles Tuscany and Liguria. All of this is accompanied by a food menu that showcase the country’s best ingredients: we snacked on crunchy housemade pickles, Puglian altamura bread with Sicilian EVOO and salty, nutty chunks of parmesan, alongside excellent platters of Italian cheese and charcuterie. Those looking for more substantial repast can explore the small plates – do try the Cantabrian anchovies draped across a pillow of milky, creamy buffalo stracciatella. passionevino.co.uk Bar Flor, Belgravia One of the best things we ate on our last visit to Madrid was a calamari sandwich: crispy, hot, deep-fried squid in a baguette with a garlicky aïoli from Bar La Campana, eaten outside on the pavement. That same trip also included a visit to legendary sherry bar La Venencia – former haunt of Hemingway and Republican soldiers – where phones are banned, we sipped chilled copitas of fino and our bill was chalked up straight on the wooden bar. Our core memories of holidays in Spain almost always involved fortified wine, whether sherry or – equally enjoyable – a glass of sweet red homemade vermouth drawn directly from the barrel, served over ice with a slice of orange and olives. Flor is the layer of yeast that grows over fino and manzanilla sherry in the cask, imparting its characteristic savoury flavours. It’s also the name of the bar cloistered away in the eaves above smart Med-inspired sister restaurant Wildflowers in Belgravia, a warmly lit space decked out in buttery neutrals with a delicate floral mural wrapped around the walls. A short, snappy drinks list nevertheless has lots to say: there is of course vermouth and sherry which you can drink with soda water or tonic, or neat – the former comes from English brand Vault, while the latter runs the gamut from uber-dry saline manzanilla to rarer sherries like deliciously full-bodied palo cortado (our favourite), and raisiny PX. There’s Basque cider and a small roster of cocktails: we adored the bittersweet adonis using sherry and vermouth, and a dirty martini given a tangy twist using peschiole pickle liqueur. Sherry is a fantastically food-friendly wine and the menu features simple but delicious pintxos and tapas from co-founder and chef Aaron Potter. From cave-aged manchego and honey to gambas al ajillo and deep-fried oyster draped in iberico guanciale there wasn’t a duff dish, but the luscious calamari sandwich is a must order and reminded us of the last one we had – wolfed down in that busy Madrid street. wildflowersrestaurant.co.uk/barflor Godet, Islington A good pub is a glorious thing but typically not a place for wine drinkers. Yes, there might be a plethora of tropical IPAs and amber cask ales on offer, but we’ve had our fair share of rickety – sometimes grim – pub wine, and even when the quality is good the choice is usually much more limited compared to what’s on tap. Godet is an Essex Road denizen with the spaciously proportioned bones of an old Victorian boozer (it was formerly The Seveney in another life) but with a decidedly more chic peach and sage palette. It calls itself a ‘wine pub’ and we can see why – the vibe inside feels decidedly laid back, bustling and akin to the neighbourhood local it once was. We were impressed by the equal importance given to grape and grain here, with a pithy rotating list of low-intervention wines chalked up on blackboards and a roster of nine beers on tap. The former draws heavily from France (as befits Parisian owner Sylvain’s heritage) while the latter showcases classic and experimental brews from London and across the UK. You could stop by for a pint here as easily as you could a date-night glass of gamay. Godet has hosted several kitchen residencies – previous ones have included Nordic pop-up Jomfru by Anna Søgaard and Perk’d Up Burger – and its latest, modern Chinese outfit Ling Ling’s, delivers flavour-packed pan-Asian hits. Our crispy pork and water chestnut wontons and zingy pomegranate radish cakes made for deliciously umami bar snacks and winning matches with our glasses of textured, floral orange wine and delicate chilled red. Other highlights to keep an eye out for include regular wine tastings and meet the winemaker events, and vinyl DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. Or just swing by for a beer – that’s what we’re planning to do next. godetlondon.com Stable Wines, Islington Stable Wines makes a good case for being one of London’s most beautiful wine bars. Arrive in a glass-walled space on Essex Road which functions as a wine shop – complete with a striking oak and volcanic stone counter, and head downstairs where a former bank vault has been turned into a magical candlelit, labyrinthian cave: dimly lit with bare brick and stone walls, full of arches, alcoves and cosy nooks. It feels like you’ve descended into an ancient pagan temple but in a sexy, sultry way – a date-night spot par excellence. Owners Alex Young and George de Vos are also the brains behind the much-adored Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery, and Stable Wines has similar decorative touches – like the sculptural painted paper lanterns dotted throughout, including a beautiful rice paper shade in the ground-floor shop illustrated with whimsical folkloric scenes by artist Lucy Stein, who also lent her touch to the other venues (such as the Chagall-esque ceiling at The Dreamery). Wines channel a ‘zero zero’ ethos, meaning natural and low-intervention bottles: just tell the server what you’d like and they’ll bring something out for you. A highlight on our visit included a textured, honey-floral pét nat. Next-level snacks and small plates include uber-umami Guinness rarebit oysters, crunchy fingers of layered potato topped with beef tartare, grilled squash with a crisp pastry filled with hazelnut cream, and an unmissable silky whipped chocolate mousse doused in olive oil. @stablewines Bar Levan, Peckham Peckham's answer to the Parisian wine bar comes in the form of Bar Levan, where bottles line deep red walls, candles flicker alongside vintage Ricard vessels and co-owner Mark curates the list of regularly rotating European natural wines chalked up on the board. Staff wind through the handful of tables to make recommendations - a chilled, crunchy Austrian red perhaps as a progression from a rosé on a warm summer's evening, a honeyed Georgian orange (find out where to eat and drink in Tbilisi here) with nutty finish to warm up on a colder night or a fresh, salty, appley Bavarian pinot blanc to accompany the succinct food menu. Smoked sausage embedded into a slice of brown butter brioche is a rich uplift on a hotdog. Beautiful orange peaches with creamy burrata and glistening crispy sage sit alongside Vesuvio tomatoes as fantastic vehicles for warm, crusty baguettes delivered at 2am each morning. An eclectic rotation of DJs on a Friday night add an extra je ne sais quoi to the already buzzy vibes of Peckham punters that spill out onto the pavement in the warmer months. There's also a short aperitif list including refreshing Lillet and soda or the floral negroni made with Suze, Lillet rouge and ELLC gin. barlevan.co.uk Sager + Wilde, Hackney With its many wines by-the-glass, its adventurousness (bottles from the Balkans and beyond), and its legendary cheese toasties, this East End venue was the first of the capital’s new-wave wine bars, and it's still one of our favourites. sagerandwilde.com Dynamic Vines, East Dulwich Dynamic Vines, the UK’s leading importer of premium biodynamic and organic wine, has opened its first wine bar, offering European wines alongside charcuterie, cheese and bread to Dulwich denizens. The candle-lit space can be found on upper Lordship Lane – one of London’s best independent shopping streets – harbouring a cornucopia of much loved suppliers including neighbouring Mons Cheesemonger (which supplies the snacks), Moxon’s fishmonger and Bora & Sons greengrocer. A pithy, seasonal menu showcases independent winemakers, with wines sourced from minimal intervention, sustainable vineyards. When we visited we enjoyed a glass of IGT Venezia Giulia Slatnik, a chardonnay-dominant Italian orange with notes of stone fruits and baking spices with a touch of paprika. We also loved the gently sweet Jurançon Marie Kattalin, a French dessert wine with a rich nose of stone fruit, caramel popcorn and a hint of coconut. With a few individual tables as well as a large, eight-seater communal table and an outdoor terrace for sunnier days, this is a space which can be enjoyed all year round, with wines to take home or enjoy in the bar without any corkage fee. dynamicvines.com Marjorie's, Soho Though slap bang in the middle of Soho, its locals rather than tourists who frequent this Parisian-inspired wine bar, tucked away on a side street. Perch at the large counter table on the ground floor while owner Michael and team pour wines. A wooden dresser showcases the 100% French wine line-up, covering a diverse mixture of regions and styles. New bottles are opened each day to keep the ‘by the glass’ list interesting, with a sparkling, a couple of skin contacts, three reds and three whites on rotation – that might be a pétillant, oak-aged chenin blanc from the Loire, a chilled beaujolais or a robust Crozes-Hermitage. To pair alongside the wines, there's baguette with French butter and La Fromagerie cheese plates as well as Morello cherry rolled in chicken liver parfait and hazelnuts for a savoury Ferrero Rocher twist. Other highlights include lamb tartare studded with summer vegetables – sliced radishes, peas, broad beans and edible flowers – and comforting poached chicken and nutty rice bathing in a rich, frothy brown butter emulsion, with radicchio and leaves doused in floral orange blossom dressing to pair. For dessert, a towering slice of puff pastry mille-feuille comes layered with silky crème diplomat and strawberries, while cocoa nib and hazelnut-flecked warm chocolate mousse is spoonable comfort. marjorieslondon.co.uk La Compagnie Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden This stylish little wine bar hidden away in Neal’s Yard is the perfect cosy bolthole for a glass or two in this tourist-thronged patch of central London. La Compagnie has been a fixture on London’s new-wave wine bar scene since 2014 – it has sister bars in Paris and New York – and is set over two floors and a terrace, the latter a particularly lovely spot for drinking in warmer weather. The focus is very much on smaller producers and hard-to-find bottles, with friendly staff on hand to make suggestions. Those looking for a bottle have a hefty slab of a menu to investigate but there’s also an impressively lengthy list of wines by the glass – perfect for trying lots of different things. Spot-on recommendations from our server come paired with seasonal European small plates from new head chef Ranieri Raimondi. Highlights include a delicious Jura chardonnay, zesty and minerally, with plump, buttery drunken scallops in a rich foie gras sauce; and torched mackerel with breadcrumbs and endive paired with a light and velvety Corsican red full of juicy red fruits. compagniewinebar.com/london Farm Shop Wine Bar, Mayfair True hidden gems are hard to come by in London but Farm Shop’s underground wine bar truly feels like one. By day it’s a fancy Mayfair deli on South Audley Street, supplied by the company farm in Bruton, among other artisan producers. There are piles of fresh fruit and veg, stacks of chutneys and jams, and loaves of sourdough and pastries laid out in the window. From the afternoon, the basement space comes into its own. There’s no signage from outside, so it’s just the arrows inside the deli that guide you downstairs to a warm, cosy room, speckled by candlelight with a relaxed, welcoming vibe where you can sit along the windows to people-watch. The menu includes classic treats like rotisserie chicken and cheese toasties, alongside sharing boards of charcuterie and cheese from Somerset, near the company farm, as well as a selection of Swiss offerings. Clearly experts in cheese, with temperature-controlled rooms to store it, this is a great place to try Yarlington, Montgomery cheddar and a creamy Bath Blue. Most importantly, the wine list is 150-strong with some varieties from the company’s vineyard. Prices for a glass of house of red start at just £4.50, so it’s a surprisingly reasonable option for such a high-end area. A particular highlight is the Maid of Bruton sparkling rosé, which is ideal for a celebratory drink. farmshop.co.uk/london/wine-bar/ Carousel Wine Bar, Fitzrovia Carousel reimagines the wine bar format, doing away with cheese and charcuterie in favour of flavour-packed small plates, like Cornish tuna crudo in a lemon vinaigrette with crispy leeks; rye and Westcombe cheddar toast kimchi; fried chicken with pickled cucumber and scotch bonnet honey; and ceps tagliatelle with butter emulsion and parmesan, wiped clean with lofty sourdough spread with cultured butter. Make sure to finish with the large scoop of chocolate mousse, elevated with crunchy hazelnuts, sea salt flakes and olive oil. A list of minimal-intervention wines focusses on small, independent producers, with a concise list available by the glass or carafe, as well as an impressive bottle offering. carousel-london.com/winebar Trullo Wine Bar, Islington Feted Italian restaurant Trullo has opened a small but perfectly formed wine bar next door with punchy, moreish antipasti and intriguing left-field bottles. It’s a small space, and interiors are kept clean and simple – white and grey walls, black-and-white photographs of past and current Trullo staff and a long counter lined with wine bottles. It feels suitably cosy compared to the traffic rush of St Paul’s road outside. The seasonally changing wine menu, chalked up on a blackboard, flits everywhere from Catalonia to Cyprus, with plenty to entice. There’s lots available by the glass and pours are pleasingly generous. Adventurous wine drinkers will find much to explore on the list. We tried Georgian Okro’s Wines Rkatsiteli, a supercharged orange wine with cider-like funkiness and spicy, savoury intensity, but more crowd-pleasing, accessible natural wines are also available, like the tangily fresh Can Sumoi Xarel-lo from northern Spain. Equally appealing is the short and sweet antipasti menu: pillowy, salt-flecked focaccia; luscious whipped cod’s roe with salted crisps for scooping; crisp arancini and flavour-packed crostini – try the whipped ricotta and confit garlic. trullorestaurant.com Sol's, Bayswater Sol’s sees the team behind Margate’s Fort Road Hotel serving Iberian-inspired dishes in a sleek, wood-decked delicatessen and wine bar in flourishing foodie neighbourhood Bayswater. Highlights include tinned sardine pâté on sourdough; roast pumpkin, braised coco beans and taleggio; half a roast chicken with peppers and aïoli; and perfectly plump jamón croquettas. Don’t miss the chocolate mousse: rich, glossy, studded with sea salt and topped with a cluster of toasted hazelnuts. The drinks list includes low-intervention, European-focussed wine curated by food writer Mina Holland. Perch at the window-side counter with a glass of chilled Côtes du Rhône for a cosy date night spot (and if you really enjoy it, you can pick up a bottle from the fridge to go). instagram.com/solslondon/ Half Cut Market, Holloway Positioned halfway between Camden and Islington (hence its name) on York Way, Half Cut Market redefines the dining experience with its unique restaurant, wine bar and bottle shop blend. This charming venue, vibrant with a lively atmosphere, boasts an impressive selection of low-intervention and natural wines curated by the expert Holly Willcocks, inviting you to sip in style. Enhance your tasting experience with small plates thoughtfully crafted by the talented Aidan Richardson, a chef celebrated for his outstanding experience at Brat. The menu evolves with the seasons, ensuring that even the most devoted regulars – affectionately dubbed 'cutlets' – always have something new to enjoy. Among the standout dishes, the mackerel with lovage and dandelion deserves special mention – it’s so exquisitely tender that it melts in your mouth. halfcut.world Oranj, Shoreditch Oranj started as an online bottle shop and wine delivery service in 2020, specialising in natural wines. At its first bar, off Brick Lane near Shoreditch, unmarked double doors lead into a warehouse space that ticks all the trendy east London boxes – dim lighting, concrete and stark industrial fittings galore – enlivened by splashes of orange, bottles dripping with wax on the tables and high ceilings. The mood is relaxed (founder Jasper Delamothe describes the bar as a “pub for wine drinkers”), and staff are friendly. While there’s a lengthy bottle list for natural wine nerds to plough through, a pithier list of wines by the glass (as well as cocktails including dry gin martinis and spicy margaritas) is a good place to start. Highlights include Domaine Pierre Frick Pinot Gris Fischbach Maceration, an incredible skin contact wine with notes of tangerine, apricot and raspberry; and Magna Carta Wines Uthando Syrah, fresh and zippy with crunchy red fruit. Oranj also has rotating kitchen residencies. Our visit saw Nigerian-Colombian fusion cooking from Ayo Collective (highlights include zingy prawn tartare with lime apple and tropical lulo fruit; and lamb cutlets with incredible crispy sweetbreads), while previous residencies have included New Orleans-inspired outfit Decatur, and cult Vietnamese pop up Ha's Đặc Biệt from New York City. Check out @oranjwine for what’s up next. oranj.co.uk Bottle + Rye, Brixton This intimate wine bar and restaurant from Robin and Sarah Gill brings a slice of European café culture to Market Row in Brixton Village. The team behind Sorella, Bermondsey Larder, Darby’s and Rye by the Water took the classic Parisian bistro as their starting point for the interiors, dominated by an elegant marble, brass and walnut bar. Nab a seat here to watch the kitchen and bar team whip up cocktails and plate dishes. A menu of simple, deftly executed Gallic classics delivers. Succulent, well-seasoned pig’s head brawn terrine comes with cornichons, delicate rings of pickled onion and hunks of sourdough, and a luscious dollop of creamy smoked eel brandade is served with Pink Fir crisps for scooping. Veggie dishes also shine – especially summery pea and broad bean ragu and a salad of green beans and leeks with crunchy hazelnut praline. Don’t miss out on dessert – a beautifully made blackcurrant and fig leaf choux éclair on our visit. A mostly European list of minimal intervention wines includes plenty by the glass (try Judith Beck’s delicious Zweigelt and Blaufrankisch rosé) as well as natural ciders from the likes of Little Pomona, Brixton Brewery beers and a succinct cocktail list including a peach and jasmine americano. bottleandrye.com Bedales of Borough, Borough Located in the middle of Borough Market, Bedales of Borough is the labour of love of three childhood friends – Rob Dann, Jamie Watts and Mario Sposito – who took on a failing wine shop in 2012 and transformed it into one of London’s best-loved wine bars, with delicious food to match. With a wine list focussed on celebrating and supporting the diverse and colourful world of small, independent winemakers, and a menu where much of the produce is sourced from neighbouring shops within Borough Market itself, it’s little wonder that Bedales of Borough – affectionately known as ‘BoB’ to regulars – is still going strong a decade on. bedaleswines.com Bar Crispin, Soho With its stylish continental vibes, this poised bar on Soho’s Kingly Street serves lavish small plates ranging from native oysters, Neal’s Yard cheeses and Trealy Farm charcuterie, and elegant sharing dishes from head chef Brendan Lee. Make a beeline for the anchovy and potato focaccia; a decadent double-carb affair of bread topped with golden piped swirls of mashed potato, whole anchovies and salsa verde. We also loved the day-boat fish – sole on our visit – which arrived, soft and flaking, in a luscious pool of brown butter, topped with briny capers. Alongside this, a natural wine list focusses on indigenous, rare and old-world grapes, featuring smaller producers who use biodynamic, organic and sustainable practices. Expect to see wines from French regions such as the Loire, Jura, Savoie and Burgundy, as well as further afield, from Slovenian orange wine to Greek assyrtiko. The menu is ever-changing, with some wines only available in finite qualities so novelty is guaranteed. Staff are imaginative and generous with their recommendations, rustling up for us their last-ever bottle of Kiss Kiss Maddie’s Lips; a juicy yet elegant German pink fizz with creamy red fruit notes. barcrispin.com The Mulwray, Soho This plushily intimate, grown-up wine bar is hidden away above the Blue Posts pub on the edge of Chinatown, a setting that inspired its name (that of Evelyn Mulwray, Faye Dunaway’s character in the classic 1970s noir film). In contrast to the bustling surrounds of the pub downstairs,The Mulwray exudes a sense of lush calm, with a pin-sharp décor that includes high ceilings garlanded by foliage, dusty pink stools and sweeping midnight blue banquettes framing a panoramic window. The seasonally changing natural wine list – created by sommeliers Honey Spencer (previously Noma Mexico) and Sarah Wright – is playfully divided into sections such as ‘Firm Favourites’, ‘The Path Less Trodden’ and ‘Wild + Free’ and accordingly there’s a wealth of interesting wines to try if you’re in the mood to explore, from crisp and crunchy Austrian rosé to funky Portuguese co-ferments. Adventurous wine drinkers should make a beeline for the Sortevera Taganana Blanco, a gorgeously smoky, stony Tenerife white. theblueposts.co.uk/the-mulwray Noble Rot, Holborn Noble Rot is unique in that it started out as a cult wine and food magazine, which then grew into a wine bar and restaurant in Lamb’s Conduit Street. Since it opened in 2015 it has won numerous awards for its wine but also its food, which is overseen by executive chef Stephen Harris (of the acclaimed Sportsman in Whitstable) who backed owners Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew. The self-styled ‘Franglaise’ menu includes the likes of beef bourguignon with kale and mash; and braised turbot with fennel and saffron velouté, which can be matched with wines ranging in price from a £24 bottle of Portuguese vinho verde to a 1985 bottle of red burgundy at £6,750. Do visit their other – equally excellent – sites: in Soho's Greek Street and Mayfair's Shepherd Market. noblerot.co.uk The Nook Deli & Wine Bar, Highbury This cosy venue on St Paul's Road in Highbury delivers quietly impressive small plates and a vibrant wine list in intimate, friendly surroundings spread over two compact floors. It's a joint effort from husband-and-wife team Angus and Lale Oztek-Pook, who both worked at the likes of The Mash Inn and Arthur Hooper's before opening their own place. The wine list – Angus's baby – is ever-changing and skips from exciting English wineries such as Renegade and Tillingham to wines from Austria, Turkey and Hungary, plus plenty in between, with a focus on organic, minimum intervention and biodynamic bottles. Highlights for us include Weninger Rozsa Petsovits, a deliciously funky Hungarian rosé, and La Fea Tambe, a tangy, floral orange wine. The petite cocktail list also impresses: try a lemony, herbaceous martini made with mastiha liqueur. The food is Lale's domain and seriously impresses, with masses of precise, vibrant flavours. Described as European with a Turkish twist, the menu, like the wine list, skips gaily across the continent. Try super-sized, golden, crisp pork schnitzel with fruity plum sauce; impeccably crisp, dainty seasonal salads; pillowy burrata with an umami garland of samphire, chilli and almonds; and hummus punchily spiked with naga chilli oil. Even the sides deliver, such as properly crispy potatoes with dips of piquant walnut ketchup and a ferocious yet moreish hot sauce made with Carolina Reaper chillies. Leave room for dessert: hazelnut parfait with miso caramel and cocoa nibs was as exactly as good as it sounds. There's also a chance to do some shopping before you leave, thanks to the restaurant's little deli and small selection of records from indie labels. thenooklondon.co.uk Passione Vino, Shoreditch Wine importers Luca Dusi and Federico Bruschetta have run this Shoreditch shop since 2013, supplying Italian wines from 75 different producers to top restaurants including Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and The River Café. Behind the shop itself is a ‘secret bar’ which also spills downstairs to the basement with small tables which can be booked. There’s no wine list or menu as customers are encouraged to discuss their tastes so the team can recommend something just a little out of their comfort zone. passionevino.co.uk Top Cuvée, Highbury This friendly, understated neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant on Blackstock Road is a relaxed affair but there’s some serious drinks talent behind it, from owner Brodie Meah (ex-Heston Blumenthal drinks expert) to business partners Max and Noel Venning, owners of acclaimed cocktail bar Three Sheets in Dalston. Their wine list changes regularly but focusses on interesting low-intervention bottles, with mostly light reds and textured whites on offer. The menu lists only a few options by the glass but this is deceptive – staff are happy to let you try most wines, depending on what’s open. Winners on our visit included Lucy M 3 Colours Red: a juicy, gluggable red made, unusually, with pinot noir and two white wine grapes – pinot gris and sauvignon blanc. Another hit, Podere Pradarolo Vej 210, was a lovely malvasia with bold stone fruit notes. They also have a cocktail list courtesy of Three Sheets, featuring an elegantly tropical take on a G&T as well as a deliciously tannic margarita made with an orange wine reduction. Drinks are accompanied by an affordable, seasonal small-plates menu – try the likes of beef dripping potatoes with aïoli, charred leeks and smoked cream, and Blythburgh pork chop with burnt apple purée. Do check out their online shop – Shop Cuvée – launched in 2020 to roaring success – for everything from natural subscriptions to superlative bottled cocktails. topcuvee.com The 10 Cases, Covent Garden The name stems from the fact that this buzzy little Covent Garden bar and bistro only ever buys 10 cases of the wines on the concise list in a quest to offer customers new experiences each time they visit. It was opened in 2011 by Ian Campbell and Will Palmer, who were bored of overpriced wine lists that never changed. Will says: “I think part of the success of 10 Cases is the constantly changing wine list and having more than 300 wines with very small cash mark-ups and small corkage charges. I think the ability to be able to drink really good and interesting wine in an unpretentious setting strikes a chord with many people.” 10cases.co.uk <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2018/10/Interiors-at-The-10-Cases-London-0f6afdd.jpg" width="3976" height="2652" alt="A restaurant has white walls with wine bottles painted onto them. There is a distressed wooden bar with blue leather high stools dotted around it. The bar is laid with napkins, cutlery and wine glasses" title="Interiors at The 10 Cases Wine Bar, Covent Garden" /> 40 Maltby Street, Bermondsey Located under the railway arches where the weekly Maltby Street food market takes place, this bar is owned by nearby Gergovie Wines, an importer of natural wines free from pesticides and fertilisers. The wines from the shop can be enjoyed in the bar with seasonal dishes such as crab quiche and lamb sweetbreads with creamed broad beans. 40maltbystreetcom Quality Wines, Clerkenwell There are around 200 bins at any one time and, since it opened in June 2018, almost 2,000 different wines have graced the shelves. Gus says: “We try to keep things interesting and ever-changing, with around 18 wines by the glass. Many of our customers end up talking to each other and sharing wine – that is a particular source of pride.” qualitywinesfarringdon.com Peckham Cellars, Peckham Elegant floor-to-ceiling Crittal windows frame this breezy, laidback wine bar on Queen's Road in Peckham. Start with a glass of lemony Gusbourne fizz from Kent before delving into a wine list defined by sustainably minded, small-scale producers, with plenty of affordable options by the glass. We try another Kentish stunner – Westwell's Ortega Amphora 2019, fermented in terracotta jars – with fragrant apricot and honey suckle notes before moving onto summery, cherry-tinged chilled gamay, available on tap at the bar. A quietly industrious open kitchen amiably sends out plates of unfussy yet deceptively indulgent food. Highlights include springy sourdough with whipped lemon and rosemary butter, porchetta layered with crispy, salty shards of crackling and filo-wrapped asparagus with a soft-boiled duck egg for dipping. Save space for pudding – a decadent lemon meringue pie sundae is the childhood dessert of dreams. South-East Londoners looking for interesting wines to drink at home should also check out PC's Club Del Vino, which delivers curated cases of wine, as well as discounts and offers on the bar's online wine shop. peckhamcellars.co.uk Vermuteria, King's Cross Vermuteria opened at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, in October 2018 and it’s the first café and bar created by chef Anthony Demetre and designer Michael Sodeau. As well as charcuterie and dishes combining European and British influences (think rabbit in mustard sauce, potato and kale; Galician octopus and chickpeas; or venison ragu and gnocchi), there are more than 70 vermouths on the list. The vermouth takes centre stage in the form of simple aperitifs and a base for cocktails such as the sbagliato (Cinzano Rosso, Campari and prosecco). vermuteria.cc The Winemakers Club, Holborn A shop and wine bar in the Victorian arches beneath the Holborn Viaduct, the site of this bar was a wine cellar for more than 150 years, including a spell as the Oddbins’ fine wine store. The bar offers wines from small organic and biodynamic producers from around the world, all them working with the same philosophy of focussing on the region and the grape varietal, and not using chemicals. The short weekly-changing seasonal menu includes root vegetables with farro and yogurt, and pigeon, bread sauce and hazelnuts. thewinemakersclub.co.uk Elliot’s, Borough Market Since opening in 2011 in the buzzing surroundings of Borough Market, Elliot’s has focussed on working with small-scale producers for both its drinks and produce, much of it sourced from the market itself. The bar adopted an all-natural or low-intervention wine list early on and has worked with Master of Wine Isabelle Legeron on its wine list. All the wine producers share the same mindful approach to wine-making as chef-owner Brett Redman does to cooking simple dishes such as grilled sweet and sour squash with chicory and Tunworth cheese, or cauliflower caponata and flaked almonds. Elliot’s also makes its own soft drinks and seasonal infused spirits. elliotscafe.com Le Bar a Vin, Blackheath Parisian Jean-Philippe Tessier has created his own corner of France in this Blackheath wine bar, where cheese and meat platters are served alongside Gallic classics such as quiche lorraine, chicken chasseur and duck leg confit. What was once a neighbourhood Indian restaurant has been given the full French makeover, right down to the vintage belle époque posters. Jean-Philippe runs his intimate, minimalist and relaxed bar almost single-handedly and is always willing to share his wine knowledge, whether it’s about his beloved natural and biodynamic wines or which French cheeses work best with them. lebaravin.co.uk Photography credits: Aleksandra Boruch (Carousel Wine Bar) Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
16 easy mocktail recipes for every occasion
Want all the flavour with none of the hangover? From elderflower-flavoured sips to drinks that'll warm the cockles in winter, our non-alcoholic cocktails will do the trick
Looking for the best mocktails? Try our ideas below, including a refreshing virgin mojito and zesty non-alcoholic gimlet. Other mocktails recipes include passionfruit martinis, kombucha spritzes and mulled tea punch. Need ingredients for your cocktails? We've got lots of non-alcoholic spirits to try out, including plenty of non-alcoholic gins.
From budget-friendly Szechuanese to sumptuous banquet dining and lesser-known-regional cuisines, check out our round-up of some of London’s best Chinese restaurants
Looking for a Chinese restaurant in London? Read on for our guide to some of the capital’s best spots, then check out our Chinese New Year guide and the 10 things we love about Hong Kong-style cuisine. Check out the best places to eat and drink in Chinatown London here (including Chinese dumplings, Szechuan food and up-market Chinese) Best Chinese restaurants in London Poons, Somerset House You should approach the Poon’s menu with a game plan in hand – pick wontons or claypot or chicken, or, if you are lunching, the daily congee or noodles and go all in, the rest of the menu can wait for another day. If you have a choice of seating then the bar will give you plenty to observe – but wherever you end up this is a cosseting, pretty, elegant space that manages not to be slightest bit stuffy. Amy Poon started her business with an online dumpling dispatch business she called a ‘wontoneria’ and the same silky wontons are available at Poon’s: order the whole menu of pork, prawn, chicken and veg all slicked with chilli oil and a side of crunchy house pickles, and you’ll die happy. For the next visit choose white-cut poussin with spring onion ginger and chilli oil, or the wind-dried meat claypot rice alongside boiled peanuts (yes, delicious) and silken tofu with avocado and diced century eggs, and you’ll have had a completely different style of meal. Drink delightful small-batch teas from China and Taiwan (worth it for the tabletop tea dispenser alone) and a truly lovely selection of wines both chosen by Amy’s husband Michael Mackenzie. poonslondon.com Dim Sum Library, Covent Garden Dim Sum Library brings a particular kind of Hong Kong polish to Covent Garden – somewhere you can drop in for lunch, stretch things into afternoon tea or head pre-theatre for tea-themed cocktails. We went in dim sum first. The signature wagyu beef puff is the dish to swoon over: crisp, flaky pastry with a rich black pepper filling that’s light yet indulgent. Dan dan xiao long bao comes with a little jeopardy – delicate dumpling skins hold a spicy broth that requires care with the chopsticks. Black truffle har gau are plump with prawn sweetness, while the black truffle crispy skin chicken has skin so thin it cracks like glass. If you love heat, order dai-ching Sichuan chicken, mouth-tingling with chilli intensity. Then cool a little with slippery, aromatic cheung fun filled with roasted pork, spring onion and coriander. Beyond the baskets, there are larger Cantonese classics – black cod, sweet and sour pork – but dim sum is the main focus, skilfully showcased by deft chefs in the open-plan kitchen that runs the length of the vast, buzzy room. Dessert is worth saving room for. The classic egg tart has impossibly short, buttery pastry, while the oolong crème brûlée is soft, creamy and gently perfumed. dimsumlibrary.co.uk Tao Tao Ju, Chinatown Tao Tao Ju has been a Chinatown stalwart since 2011 and, in a neighbourhood brimming with restaurants where it is very easy to get overwhelmed by choice, it remains a reassuringly dependable option, with a well-executed roster of classic Chinese dishes, acres of seating and speedy, efficient service. It’s also reasonably priced, which means it’s all too easy to enthusiastically over-order and end up with a table stacked high with towers of bamboo baskets (no bad thing, in our opinion). Tao Tao Ju specialises in dim sum, handmade daily on site (vegetarians and vegans take note, they also have a separate meat-free menu). Siu mai pork and prawn dumplings are juicily plump while pork xiao long bao delivers brothy flavour. Squid cakes are pleasingly bouncy and roast pork char siu buns are pillowy and enveloping. Other Chinese classics we tried also hit the spot – deep-fried soft shell crab is salty and savoury, while the prawn toast is a nicely chunky affair, full of succulent prawn and coated in sesame seeds for crispy texture. taotaoju.co.uk Master Wei, Hammersmith Dating back over 2,000 years, Xi’an is one of China’s oldest cuisines, renowned for its punchy flavours and hand-pulled noodles. At Master Wei in Hammersmith, owner Wei Guirong – a Xi’an noodle specialist – has brought this historic food to a modern space tucked beneath an office block. The menu showcases the complexity and depth of Xi’an cooking. This is a place to shed any pre-conceptions you may have about Chinese food and expand your repertoire. Start with tender pig’s ear salad, a perfect balance of crunch and heat; light and crisp skewered Xi’an beancurd skin; fresh and fiery smacked cucumber, coated in garlic, sesame paste sauce and chilli oil; or the staff favourite, salt and pepper deep-fried crispy pork, as light as a cheese puff. A must-try is the traditional Xi’an pulled pork ‘burger’ – a crispy flatbread stuffed with rich, slow-cooked pork. But the star of the show is the hand-pulled biang biang noodles, thick, slippery and as comforting as a hug, served with either tender chunks of beef or veg, dressed in a fragrant chilli sauce. Wei, whose first restaurant, Xi’an Impression, opened in 2015, says: “I roll a piece of dough into a long oval, press down in the middle and pull it, and then use all my strength slap it hard twice on my worktop – the name of the noodle biang biang comes from the sound that it makes on the worktop.” master-wei.com Barshu, Soho Barshu has set the standard for Sichuanese food in London since it first opened on Soho’s Frith Street in 2006, when it was one of the first Chinese restaurants in the city to showcase the fiery cuisine of Sichuan in a high-end setting. The quality remains undimmed 15 years later. Sichuanese food is known for its liberal use of chilli and numbing Sichuan peppercorns – the latter balancing the fire of the former – and there’s plenty of this at Barshu. Crispy, golden chunks of fried chicken come lavishly blanketed in drifts of scarlet dried chillies and peppercorns, while showstopping whole roast sea bass comes similarly garlanded alongside chunks of cauliflower and lotus root. Everything is a masterclass in balance, with lively, flavour-boosting heat that never overwhelms. Barshu also showcases the less chilli-tastic elements of Sichuanese cooking such as smashed cucumbers dressed in a deliciously savoury, garlicky dressing; stir-fried yard long beans tossed with crispy, umami minced pork; and meltingly tender aubergines, bathed in the classic ‘fish-fragrant’ mix of pickled chillies, garlic, spring onion and ginger. Quench it all with copious amounts of jasmine tea, or a floral chamomile negroni. barshurestaurant.co.uk Three Uncles, Camden The original Three Uncles – opened by friends and chefs Cheong Yew (Uncle Lim), Pui Sing Tsang (Uncle Sidney) and Mo Kwok (Uncle Mo) – was inspired by the trio’s daily visits to siu mei spots while growing up in Hong Kong in the 1970s. In this outpost, as well as their core offering of Cantonese roast meats they’ve added two classic Hong Kong dishes to the menu. These are char siu sou – plump pastries filled with char siu pork – and bouncy, tender fish balls served with curry sauce. On the main menu, choose from roast duck, crispy pork belly, char siu BBQ pork and Hainan chicken (you can also pick a mix of two or three). Meat, bronzed and tender, arrives heaped on mounds of snowy steamed jasmine rice and pak choi, with an array of sauces, from plum to chilli vinegar. They also offer lo mein, egg noodles topped with your choice of roast meats – we picked fall-apart beef brisket served with mooli. Wash it all down with a Tsingtao or two. threeuncles.co.uk Chilli Cool, Bloomsbury WC1 This wallet-friendly Szechuanese restaurant, near King’s Cross, is noisy and crowded, the service brisk and the décor decidedly no-frills – but then what you’re really here for is the punchy, vibrant food. A warning for the chilli averse: most dishes arrived blanketed in drifts of the stuff – dried and fresh – or draped in spicy oil. Some of the hits from the dauntingly lengthy menu include cold smashed cucumbers swimming in a salty-sweet, chilli-spiked dressing; blistered and charred fried green beans tossed with crispy minced pork; super-hot Chengdu-style dan dan noodles, juicy pork dumplings swimming in chilli oil and soft, wobbling cubes of tofu drizzled with more spicy piggy mince (are you detecting a theme here?). It sounds intense, but everything is in proportion. Chilli heat is balanced by the numbing qualities of Szechuanese peppercorns, and bowls of cooling steamed rice tone down fiery excess. And there’s always chilled bottles of Tsingtao beer to wash everything down. Click here for more Szechuanese recipes. chillicool.co.uk YiQi, Chinatown YiQi, which translates to ‘together’ in Mandarin, is the latest addition to an ever-evolving London Chinatown with a focus on dishes hand-picked from across Southeast Asia. At the helm is executive chef Stanley Lum Wah Cheok, who was formerly chef de cuisine at Hakkasan Group, the first Chinese restaurant to be given a Michelin star. Set over two floors with sleek, contemporary décor – including a wall made entirely of abacuses – the 80-cover restaurant adds a modern spark to an area that is famed for upholding traditions and, in the process, might create new ones of its own. yiqipanasia.co.uk Pearl Liang, Paddington Business hub Sheldon Square may seem like an unlikely place for one of London’s best Chinese restaurants, but Pearl Liang is constantly brimming with large groups feasting around banqueting tables, businessmen doing deals over dim sum, and couples getting to know each other between water fountains and Chinese blossom wall murals. The extensive menu can be quite overwhelming, with page after page of starters, meats, dim sum and noodles, ranging from Cantonese specialities to regional Southeast Asian dishes. We recommend starting with a selection of dim sum (dumplings filled with gigantic prawns, crunchy prawn rolls wrapped in shredded taro, and juicy pork shu mai), followed by a few starters. Vietnamese spring rolls were deep-fried and crisp, filled with freshly shredded vegetables, and pan-fried chicken wings came in an incredibly moreish caramelised teriyaki glaze. For the main course, there is everything from indulgent spicy crispy chilli beef to lighter fish dishes. We loved whole steamed sea bass with fragrant ginger and spring onion. If you’re gathering a crowd, Pearl Liang’s sophisticated interiors and sharing ethos (there are five set menus to choose from) make for the perfect feast. pearlliang.co.uk Click here for more great places to eat in Paddington... Murger Han Han, Mayfair W1 Noodle fiends should make a beeline for this specialist in the food of Shaanxi province and its capital, Xi’an. At the smart Mayfair branch (there’s also one in Euston) it specialises in two types of noodles, which cooks expertly hand-pull in front of diners. Bouncy, super-long belts of biang biang noodles (made in epic 12-foot batches) have just the right amount of bite and are made for slurping up with gloriously messy gusto. More unusually they also offer another regional noodle, la tiao zi (akin to a thickened udon), which is similarly elastic and satisfying to eat. You can choose from different toppings but the best is the spicy braised pork – served in enormous bowls filled with rich, umami broth, noodles, tender morsels of spicy meat, crunchy pak choi, chilli oil and softly cooked tomato and scrambled egg (another classic Chinese combination). murgerhan.com Imperial Treasure, St James’s With various (Michelin-starred) outposts across Asia, luxe restaurant group Imperial Treasure’s first UK site enjoys a grand setting in a former bank in St James’s. Inside, discover a sleek, muted décor, high ceilings and screens that divide the imposing space into more intimate sections Expect classic, mostly Cantonese dishes – from dim sum to roasted meats and braised fish and seafood. Star of the show is the signature peking duck – hand-carved at the table into butter-soft morsels with lusciously bronzed, impeccably crispy skin, served with handmade pancakes (probably the best ones we’ve ever tried). The duck is then served in a second course with either ginger and spring onion, black bean sauce or salt and pepper. The restaurant is also known for its wine, and offers luxurious signature set menus (veggie options are available) with wine pairings curated by head sommelier Victor Almeida and wine writer Ch’ng Poh Tiong – matching dishes such as crispy lobster roll with golden okra and foie gras, claypot corn-fed chicken with Szechuan pepper and braised noodles with mushrooms and truffle oil with the likes of English sparkling wine, French riesling and Austrian gruner veltliner. Prices are steep (the peking duck alone is £100) which makes this a special occasion restaurant, although Imperial Treasure has now launched more affordable set lunch menus (£38 pp) and a business set menu (£43 pp) where you can share a duck between four. imperialtreasure.com China Tang, Mayfair W1 Walk through The Dorchester's long, gilded lobby to reach this sumptuous restaurant, where the setting is as much a draw as the food. The mostly Cantonese menu holds few surprises, instead focussing on familiar yet impeccably executed classics made with premium ingredients, from expertly bronzed Peking duck deftly hand-carved tableside, to silky dumplings. Start by delving through the dim sum menu, from finely made xiao long bao – Shanghainese soup dumplings filled with ground pork and a savoury broth – to sweet and tender scallop-filled creations. On to mains, pork belly, braised to melting, tender unctuousness in a clay pot, bathes in a jammy, sticky sauce, with preserved vegetables for balance. Prawns, proudly plump, come coated in a delicate, batter-like coating of salted egg yolk – the end result richly umami. The luxe and maximalist art deco-style interiors, designed to the last detail by late founder David Tang, are lavishly opulent – think 1930s Shanghai – with mirrored pillars, ornate dark woodwork, plush, intricately patterned carpets and delicate Chinese art on the walls. Combine this with smooth, attentive white-jacketed waiters gliding up and down the restaurant, a buzzy, surprisingly casual atmosphere and the possibility of spotting an A-lister or two (it’s long been a celebrity haunt) and it makes a luxurious choice for a special occasion meal. chinatanglondon.co.uk Xi’an Impression, Arsenal N7 For many years, visiting a Chinese restaurant in the UK almost always meant Cantonese food, but one of the more interesting restaurant trends of late has been the emergence of places specialising in different regional cuisines – from fiery Hunanese and Szechuan cooking to subtle, savoury Shandong dishes. One such example is Xi’an Impression, a tiny, canteen-like outfit just minutes from the Emirates Stadium. From the team behind Sichuan Folk, it specialises in the street-food dishes of Xi’an (of Terracotta Army fame) in the northern province of Shan Xi. There's two elements on the menu you should pay attention to. The first are what the menu calls 'burgers' but which bear more similarity to pulled beef or pork: slow-cooked to melting tenderness, and redolent with meaty juices and fragrant aromatics, all sandwiched between a toasted, flatbread-like bun (and a token lettuce leaf). They taste far more sumptuous than their price tag would suggest. The other main attraction is the hand-pulled noodles. We try wide, ribbon-like ones – with just the right amount of elasticity and bite – slippery with copious amounts of chilli sauce, topped with tender chunks of beef and whole pak choi. It's a dish that demands to be slurped with gusto. xianimpression.co.uk Hutong, London Bridge SE1 Hutongs are narrow, alley-like streets that – though fast disappearing now – once criss-crossed northern Chinese cities such as Beijing. Hutong the restaurant, located on level 33 of The Shard, is a decidedly glossier affair, plushly minimalist and dimly lit – aside from the scarlet flash of red lanterns – and all the better to highlight the crowning feature of the restaurant: the glorious panoramic views of London's skyline, a sight that's particularly impressive at night, when the lights of the surrounding city contrast against the inky surfaces of the restaurant. Given such a setting it would be easy for Hutong to rest on its laurels when it comes to the food, but it doesn't. The (pricy) menu draws mostly from subtle and savoury Shandong cuisine, but it’s the fiery Szechuanese-accented dishes – especially the seafood ones – that really impress. Chilled, milky cubes of tofu come topped with sweet shreds of white king crab meat, in a pool of darkly umami, garlicky sauce that offers a fiery foil for its delicate partners. Crispy fried ma la eel, coated in the lightest of batters and tossed with liberal amounts of chopped dried chillies and cumin, is superb, the luscious buttery flesh of the eel the perfect match for the well-balanced, smoky heat of the chillies, their heat tempered by numbing peppercorns. A side of aubergine tempura, crispy on the outside but creamily collapsing inside, comes draped in an almost jammy, spicy sauce – it’s worth ordering all on its own. hutong.co.uk Silk Road, Camberwell SE5 One way to appreciate the sheer size of China is the diversity of its food – from Cantonese roasted meats to the fiery, chilli-laced hot pots of Szechuan and hearty dumplings of the northern provinces. Xinjiang, the vast, remote region in the country's north-west corner, is an especially interesting example, a distinctive cuisine that, with its grilled, cumin-spiked lamb skewers, flatbreads and pilaf-like rice dishes, shares more in common with Middle Eastern and Indian cooking. Xinjiang restaurants can be found across China but are less common outside it – that is unless you pay a visit to Silk Road in Camberwell, a cheerfully unpretentious restaurant – with no-nonsense long communal tables and minimal décor – that's become a favourite among in-the-know London foodies. Do order liberally from the shish section of the menu. The lamb – grilled over charcoal and dowsed in cumin, salt and chilli powder – is superb, salty and umami, all tender meat and a joyous amount of crispy fat. A surprise hit, for an oft-maligned piece of offal, is the ox tripe, which is crispily flavoursome. Another must order is the da pan ji (big plate of chicken). An earthy, hearty stew of tender chunks of bone-in chicken, potatoes and sliced fresh green chillies swimming in a gentle chilli broth. Save some of the latter, as once you've eaten the vegetables and meat your waiter will add in a pile of fresh, handmade noodles to mop up the rest of the sauce. silkroadlondon.has.restaurant Etles, Walthamstow For authentic Uyghur cuisine (created by Turkic Muslims in the Xinjiang region), head to family-run Etles in Walthamstow for fiery sauces heavy with szechuan pepper and silky hand-pulled noodles. Da pan ji (big plate of chicken) is tingly with szechuan pepper and masses of black pepper, garlic, ginger and soy, with potatoes and chicken and bones that have been hacked into tender chunks. Unapologetically shouty in flavour, it comes with homemade flat noodles (lagman). Other highlights of the menu include ququre – silky wontons in a bouillon-like soup – and punchy beef and vegetable stir fries with more impeccably made noodles. Dishes are very wallet friendly and the restaurant is BYOB – what more could you ask for? etleswalthamstow.com A Wong, Victoria Andrew Wong’s Michelin-starred restaurant in London Victoria is a dramatic modernisation of his late father’s restaurant, Kym’s. The fresh space has a bright dining room with a view over the big open kitchen, and a more atmospheric area just to the left. It brings together cuisine from all over China, and the menu is divided into snacks, dim sum (only available at lunch), wok, dishes (only available at dinner) and dessert. Expect everything from 63-degree tea eggs and slow-braised Iberico pork belly to steamed custard buns. The menu is best enjoyed as a selection of sharing plates, with small plates and bar snacks, and larger dishes. Check out its ‘Taste of China’ tasting menu, which showcases multiple dishes all from different regions in China. awong.co.uk Written by Hannah Guinness, Laura Rowe and Alex Crossley Photograph credits: Paul Winch-Furness
From slinky, speakeasy-style dens to cutting-edge mixology, London's cocktail bars are world-class. Here's a taste of what to expect
Looking for the best cocktail bars in London? As olive’s drinks writer, I've spent the past eight years scouring the capital’s bar scene to keep up with the latest trends, openings and hot spots. London’s bar scene is one of the best in the world (including four of the World’s 50 Best Bars; see the full list here), buzzing with cutting-edge mixology, top-tier bartender talent and, most importantly, really delicious cocktails. Here’s my pick of the best at the moment – from a Latin American-inspired basement bar in Notting Hill to a Dalston agaveria and award-winning cocktail lounge in Soho. There's plenty to keep your Friday nights and weekends busy; make sure you check back for more as I'll be updating this guide with the best new cocktail bar openings. For more like this, check out the World's 50 Best Bars, the best London hotel bars to visit, the best listening bars in London and the best London pubs for food lovers. Also check out our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Fitzrovia, best restaurants in Shoreditch, best restaurants in Marylebone and best restaurants in Notting Hill. Best London cocktail bars Swift, Soho Swift has three different sites in London – its Borough and Shoreditch outposts are well worth a visit but we’ve always had a fondness for the original Soho bar on Old Compton Street. It’s a two-part affair, with a light and bright, more casual space on the ground floor that’s just for walk-ins (do try the signature sgroppino with lemon sorbet, prosecco and St-Germain) and a secluded, slinky downstairs lounge that remains one of our favourite places to get a cocktail in central London, all inky, shimmering surfaces and moody lighting. It feels properly grown-up and chic but – crucially – never pretentious or unapproachable. It’s a place to cloister oneself away from the hectic city above. In our opinion the two best places to sit are either at the bar, where you can watch the bartenders do their thing – just the ticket for a solo cocktail – or in one of the sleek crescent booths (an excellent date night spot). The latest cocktail menu celebrates Swift entering its 10th year and divvies up drinks into four sections: Bright, Delicate, Rich and Stiff. It gets extra points for including a booze-free serve in each. On the lighter end of the spectrum, the bright-green Kew Gardens with basil, cucumber, prosecco and Gin Mare, delivered spritzy, verdant flavour, while the Chameleon marries the funk of Del Maguey Vida mezcal with green chilli, cachaça, lime, coriander and green pepper for a lively, vegetal, smoky take on a marg – do try this if you're a fan of more savoury drinks. The Stiff section celebrates spirit-forward cocktails, which as long-time devotees of boozy serves we interrogated especially closely. The Amber Cane comes out swinging, a seriously punchy, potent drink featuring Swift’s own blend of Jamaican rums with madeira and Bénédictine – we loved it. To round it all off, White Water, while not as lethal as the former, was a seductively smoky, tropical blend of Monkey Shoulder and Ardbeg 10 with coconut falernum and banana. If you want to continue the evening, don’t leave without trying the famous Irish coffee, a deliciously rich and silky creature that as far as we’re concerned is a miles better than an espresso martini. barswift.com The Prince, Old Street ‘Sharp, strong, social’ – three words that certainly have their place in hospitality and give a good indication of what to expect from new Old Street cocktail bar The Prince. Service is sharp, in the sense of clean and friendly; drinks are strong, in concept and execution as well as ABV; and the vibe is undoubtedly social. Led by Will Hawes (formerly of Milk & Honey and Booking Office 1869), and Aaron Wall (of acclaimed Islington bar Homeboy), The Prince is a warm, intimate venue with an interior of dark wood, forest green and gold evoking 1920s charm. We enjoyed the genuine sense of inclusivity and camaraderie – sit at the bar if there's space. Signature drinks include black velvet, a beguiling mix of Guinness and champagne – closer to a champagne cocktail than a pint; and Buster's Stout Punch, a blend of three rums, cognac, lemon sherbet and stout, which sounds lethal but was in fact fruity and impeccably balanced. The real highlight though is the martini menu: a 10-strong list of favourites including the gin-vodka hybrid vesper, and the slightly savoury gibson, served with a pearl onion. Order straight from the list or let the bar staff tailor a martini to your exact preference – in our case, a 6:1 gin-vermouth ratio, three olives and freezing cold. "It's your drink," as the menu says, "it should be perfect for you." theprincebar.com The Black Duke, Vauxhall The Vauxhall roundabout was an unlikely dining destination until Jackson and Frank Boxer launched their much-praised Brunswick House in the surrounds of a Grade II listed Georgian mansion in 2010, and thanks to a restoration of the building’s 18th-century cellars they’ve now launched The Black Duke, making two good reasons why you need to visit. Inside, dripping candles add flickering cosiness to the carefully revived space, which includes 300-year-old fireplaces and chimneys restored to working order. Exposed brickwork, vintage tables and leather seating complete a pared-back yet inviting setting. The drinks list is pleasingly short and to the point – start with a one-sip negroni before moving on to crowd-pleasing cocktails with a twist; alpine herbal liqueur génépi adds herbal complexity to the house martini, while an excellent bergamot margarita highlights the floral charms of this citrus fruit. Elsewhere, non-alcoholic drinks included superior no/low brands like Botivo, and you can get £5 glasses of the house champagne, Pol Roger, between 6-8pm. Elevated snacks include devilled eggs, generous cheese, pickle and charcuterie plates, and a must-order grilled potato bread with green garlic butter. brunswickhouse.london Little Bat, Islington Neighbourhood bar is a descriptor that can be used too liberally when it comes to London drinking spots but it’s perfect for Little Bat. Sister bar to Callooh Callay in Shoreditch, it’s casual and fuss-free yet stylish, with refreshingly affordable cocktails. Dark, sultry and dimly lit, it’s a great choice for low-key birthday drinks with friends or perhaps one last drink on a night out. A refreshed cocktail list has plenty to enjoy. Flutter By is a light, pretty agave cocktail with Codigo Rosa tequila complemented by floral, fruity notes from strawberry aperitif and elderflower liqueur. Little Bat also nails the classics: we tried a warming, spicy boulevardier (the negroni’s winter cousin) with Fielden rye whisky, and there’s also a pithy roster of ‘Cold AF’ martinis. Our vesper did not disappoint, crystalline, boozy and icy cold. There’s also a revamped food menu courtesy of chef-consultant James Cochran – those looking for bar snacks can try the likes of toasted sourdough bread with whipped gravy butter, seriously addictive buttermilk fried chicken with jerk spiced hot honey glaze, and beer-battered Whitstable oysters. Or turn it into a proper dinner and add mains such as jerk spiced slow-braised shoulder of mangalitza pork or torched Cornish mackerel with hazelnut tahini, finished off with aged Berkswell basque cheesecake for dessert. littlebatbar.com Chiave, Shoreditch Chiave, meaning ‘key’ in Italian, cuts a subtle exterior on Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street bar the large, polished brass-effect key on the door. Naturally lit during the day from the sash windows, stay until sundown for the bar to transform into an intimate drinking den with dark mahogany tables and palo santo incense swirling up towards the enchanting red ceiling. Nine signature cocktails are the crowning glory, each of which is called after a song. Street Spirit (named after Radiohead’s 1995 track) is a vibrant twist on a Moscow mule with aniseed notes from raki – Turkey’s national spirit – effortlessly blended with a subtle salted caramel vodka. For crisp and aromatic herbal refreshment don’t miss Sunbeams with Tanqueray No Ten gin, chinotto nero and a blend of clarified sea buckthorn and basil. Margarita fans will not be disappointed with a Tommy margarita mixing equal quantities of Ojo de Dios mezcal and Don Julio tequila, with chilli liqueur and a spicy sumac rim. The team’s Turkish heritage is reflected in the small but thoughtful snack selection. Nibble on elegant, rice-stuffed vine leaves with pomegranate molasses for dipping, or hummus-filled cucumber bites. If you want to carry on the night, head downstairs to the small but compact dance floor with custom-made speakers and a classy HiFi mixer. chiaveshoreditch.com Mad Cats, Shoreditch Another listening bar has landed in Shoreditch – and this one is more than worth a visit. With a compact cocktail selection that chooses quality over quantity, Asian-inspired flavours sing with Muyu Jasmine Verte Liqueur, junmai sake and lemongrass, while there’s a dash of Lebanese inspiration with the Zaza cocktail, a spin on a classic tequila martini with infused za’atar oil. Red, white, rosé, orange and sparkling wines are available from traditional and new world regions, as well as five varieties of sake. East Asian flavours are carried across to the menu. The yellowtail carpaccio with jalapeño sauce and ponzu dressing is beautifully presented and citrussy without being too sharp. Towering brioche toast with crab and gochujang aïoli was a highlight, although there truly were no misses: charred Hispi cabbage is accompanied by an umami-rich wafu sauce, and the miso hake with chilli oil and samphire is buttery and delicate. Greek Cantaloupe sorbet makes the perfect palate cleanser ahead of the silky pandan crème brûlée. Attention to detail goes beyond the menu, with chopsticks resting on hand-painted model cats, DJs spinning vinyl only and an abundance of high-fidelity speakers to keep audiophiles content. Don’t miss a trip to the bathroom through the blue velvet curtain where The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is played on a speaker directly in your cubicle. madcats.uk Parasol, Stoke Newington From the team behind The Sun Tavern, Parasol is a latest addition to the slew of cool cocktail bars in Dalston. With a subtle exterior, stepping down concrete stairs reveals a plush curtain, behind which lies a speakeasy-style bar underneath the depths of Stoke Newington Road. Dark, cosy and with booths and tables plus seats underneath the paper lanterns at the bar, it’s a large space with a disco ball at-the-ready for DJ sessions until the early hours at the weekends. Those more sweet-inclined shouldn’t miss the fragrant Baklava with bourbon, amontillado, pistachio, honey, cardamom and orange blossom, or the whimsical Kinder Bueno with Irish cream liqueur, whisky, cacao and clarified milk. It was the Korean Jesus that stood out from the crowd – a gochujang twist on a spicy margarita balanced with plum soju, honey and with added aromatics from ginger and coriander. Fans of zingy, citrus flavours shouldn’t miss the silky Yuk Fu with Chilean pisco, green chartreuse, earthy matcha, pandan and coconut, and a piece of lemongrass delicately balanced on top. Alongside the house, ‘disco’ and sharing cocktails sit beers, ciders – including Parasol’s own Umbrella London brand – and a sizeable wine list. Bar snacks are kept simple but effective: paprika-topped creamy hummus and crisp Gordal olives make for great counterparts to the liquid refreshment. parasol-london.co.uk Cinco, Dalston Hidden away underneath sister restaurant Corrochio’s, Cinco is a rustic, sultry basement den with flickering candles and bare concrete walls decorated with Mexican art. First and foremost a bar that specialises in agave and Mexican spirits, its collection – including rare bottlings – is curated by Corrochio founders Daniel Corrochio and Amy McQuarrie from their travels across Daniel’s native Mexico. The bar even has its own in-house mezcal available to try and buy. Cocktails are surprising and layered, showcasing the full breadth of what agave spirits have to offer. The Doña Mago uses raicilla (another agave spirit), tomato liqueur, plum sake, Ancho Reyes chile liqueur and plum and tomato cordial for a fabulous margarita-esque drink with smoky, fruity, tangy charm. Another next-level take on a marg comes in the form of the El Chihuas, with sotol (another Mexican distillate, made from the desert spoon plant), fig, guanabana and yuzu liqueurs. The end result is a tropical, creamy drink with a delicate floral edge. The Mujer Moderna features butter-washed Abasolo whisky, Nixta corn liqueur, crème de cacao and chocolate bitters for an opulent, cocoa-tinged interpretation of an old fashioned. Cinco also has a nice little roster of no- and low-alcohol cocktails made using alcohol-free spirits and Mexican ingredients – the La Bikini Cero, with non-alcoholic agave spirit, chilli syrup, verdita water and pineapple has a pleasing spicy kick. corrochios.com Encore, Mayfair Downstairs from Lebanese rotisserie joint Toum, Encore successfully ticks off two cocktail bar buzzwords in one fell swoop: listening bar and speakeasy. Just steps away from Regent Street, this stylish subterranean bar unites a heady mix of Lebanese and French influences across the polished cocktail and snack menus. Twelve signature cocktails showcase inventive twists on classics – a sumac-spiced negroni with tequila is balanced by pomegranate, while the refined mezcal spritz brings in zingy and refreshing yuzu, lime and coconut water. Those sweet-inclined will enjoy the unique yet familiar taste of the tarte tatin: oak aged brandy, vanilla liqueur, coconut water and honey give a balanced sweetness that is never saccharine. The Encore batanga is a stand-out with added depth from sherry and spidery strands of red chilli scattered on top. Unctuous and warm comté madeleines were particularly irresistible from the elevated bar snack menu. Habibi funk and Arabic disco deep cuts can be heard spinning on vinyl, thanks to the sound-diffusing ceiling and speakers dotted around the intimate space. Rich red carpets, mid-century wood panelling and stylish contemporary artwork make the bar the perfect spot for a date night or cosy catch-up with a friend. toumrotisserie.com The Listening Room, Soho Soho’s Wardour Street contains a secret. Downstairs from Japanese-inspired grill and omakase restaurant MOI – and via an impressive retro-futuristic spiral staircase – resides The Listening Room, a spacious underground listening bar. Serious about audio, bespoke speakers are from London-based sound system maker Friendly Pressure, and the walls are covered in soundwave-like textured curves for great acoustics. The drinks menu is led by ex-Langham Dino Koletsas and infused with Asian flavours. The shiro negroni, a refreshing white spin on a negroni with yuzu sake, potato shochu and chrysanthemum bitters has a pleasantly floral nose. Them Apples cleverly recreates the flavour of fresh green apple without using the ingredient itself: instead sparkling green tea, whisky, tomato liqueur and marigold combine for an ultra-refreshing sip. The extensive sake and natural wine list is accessible to both the more experienced and more nascent sipper. Order sushi, small plates and skewers hot off the grill from the upstairs kitchen by executive chef Andy Cook who worked with Gordon Ramsay to open his outpost in Tokyo. The crisp, warm and slightly sweet steamed buns served with smoked cod’s roe was a strong start. Sushi is not one to miss either – we chose Icelandic sea urchin and chutoro tuna temaki delicately wrapped in nori, whose rich flavour was perfectly complemented by dots of wasabi and slices of pickled ginger. moirestaurant.com Side Hustle at The Nomad London, Covent Garden With Side Hustle’s grand marble-topped bar and dark wood, and leather-lined booths with brass rails, what was once the former Bow Street police station now feels like a slice of Manhattan real estate. This is very much in keeping with the NoMad hotel itself, a New York import, but when it comes to the drinks and food this lively bar and restaurant takes its cue from much farther south, with a cocktail menu centred around Latin American flavours and agave spirits. There’s a delightful roster of seasonal margaritas – a rhubarb expression with yuzu and Aperol is tangy and full bodied, while a bergamot and chilli creation has lovely floral notes with tingle of heat. Other classics include a zingy paloma but it’s also worth exploring the roster of house cocktails that explore the variety of agave spirits. We dived into the agave martinis, highlights of which include a dirty tequila-based variation with savoury depth from fino sherry, and a spicy martini using corn-infused mezcal and Thai bird’s-eye chilli for a cocktail with a proper poky punch. Don’t miss out on the bar snacks which include on-point guacamole, prawn croquettes, charred Padrón peppers with umami salsa macha, plus delicious tacos including baja fish, chicken tinga and pork carnitas. hilton.com A Bar With Shapes For A Name, Dalston The name of Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat’s Bauhaus-inspired bar takes pictorial form – the signage on Dalston’s Kingsland Road featuring a yellow triangle, red square and blue circle. If that sounds a little complicated then rest assured once you step into the bar – colloquially referred to as Shapes – everything takes a decidedly more minimalist turn. Inside, bare bones interiors look more akin to a science classroom than anything else, with bartenders flitting around in brightly coloured jumpsuits. The drinks list at Shapes is pleasingly pithy – just seven house cocktails and six bottled cocktails. The martini-style Habanero is an ingenious affair, using a distillate made from yellow habanero peppers that delivers all the vegetal flavours of the pepper minus the heat – funky and savoury, with a zingy Campari jelly garnish. The xscold is a surprising twist on a marg – here, eucalyptus adds a menthol edge to the herbaceous flavours of Amarás espadin mezcal and Ocho 8 tequila for a refreshing agave treat. From the bottled cocktails, a manhattan uses Buffalo Trace bourbon fat washed in olive oil, and a turmeric distillate, for a boozy whisky cocktail with dried date notes and fruity, earthy richness. clubbauhaus.com Bar Kinky, Fitzrovia Hidden underneath modern Georgian restaurant Kinkally, Bar Kinky lives up to its name with sultry interiors and a bold, left-field approach to ingredients and flavours. The small 17-seater bar occupies a sleek, vault-like space with stainless steel walls, sensual red lighting and a techno music soundtrack. The focal point is the marble central island bar around which customers sit – the vibe is somehow intimate yet hectic, with bartenders offering attentive and speedy service. Cocktails look deceptively pared back but have plenty going on behind the scenes, from inventive ingredients to playful garnishes. Bossy is a delicious margarita/gimlet hybrid, with El Rayo Plata tequila, orange, hazelnut and cacao delivering layered flavours and delicate zestiness with soft chocolate notes, plus savouriness from a Georgian seasoning in lieu of a salt rim. Chocolate also plays its part in the smoky and seductively smooth Snatch, alongside truffle, vermouth and Ojo De Dios Mezcal; while Bureau, Bar Kinky’s take on a French 75, is a fruity, fizzy crushable delight with East London Gin, sparkling wine and a frozen pomegranate ball that keeps the drink chilled and subtly changes the flavour as it melts. kinkally.co.uk Câv, Bethnal Green Câv can be found in the railway arches of Paradise Row and comes courtesy of two London bar veterans, Chris Tanner (formerly of Milroy’s and Silverleaf, and founder of Dram London), and Edwin Frost (wine bars Half Cut and Oranj), who have partnered for this bar-cum-restaurant with a rotating kitchen residency. Minimal interiors shine a spotlight on the drinks, which don’t disappoint. The menu is pleasingly pithy, with a roster of revamped classics as well as £7 house martinis, surely one of the best deals in London right now. Cocktails are pared back and poised. The Cucumber Bamboo balances refreshing vegetal flavours with the salinity of Tio Pepe sherry; similarly, the Dill Martini delivers bracing herbaceous notes with a subtle savoury nod from anchovy oil. Câv’s take on the beloved picante with golden beetroot and bird’s-eye chilli offers earthy warmth, while the Plum Manhattan has a sultry fruity and spicy rye character. Their current kitchen residency is Iberian-inspired Tasca by Josh Dallaway and Sinéad Murdoch. Head chef Josh’s menu showcases some of Spain and Portugal’s best regional dishes. These include a trio of different gildas (do try the clever jambon-beurre-inspired one); whipped Wigmore cheese, like a savoury custard, topped with celeriac honey, leeks and fried bread; and the scarlet prawn and pork cachorrinho which is best described as a Porto version of a hot dog and not to be missed. Wine comes from sommelier Sinéad and her lively list focusses heavily on sustainably produced bottles, with 80% from women-led projects. cav255.london Nine Lives, London Bridge Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London Bridge is a cosy oasis of a bar, serving up some of London's best cocktails. Nine Lives has a buzzy atmosphere, balancing the vibe of a live DJ with the volume at just the right level so you can still chat comfortably. Their new cocktail menu is headed up by William Campbell-Rowntree; the Mello cocktail, a mixture of vodka, Cocchi Americano and honeydew was beautifully refreshing. Equally good was the Godfather sour – made with bourbon, it had a pleasantly balanced taste. To eat there's a small but enticing menu from head chef Ramon Ramos, of tacos, from baja to barbacoa, and small plates. We liked the ceviche sampler, citrussy and refreshing. This cosy, romantic spot also has a bottleshop, offering takeaway cocktails, and outdoor seating to soak up the sun. ninelivesbar.com Oriole, Covent Garden From the moment you step into Oriole you know you’re in for something special. The speakeasy-style interiors – all low lighting, plush textures and eclectic global curios – create a sense of discovery that carries through the entire evening. Head chef Gustavo Giallonardo’s menu draws on the vibrant fusion cuisines of Latin America, with playful, elegant plates that surprise and satisfy. Highlights include sea bass ceviche in bright Amarillo leche de tigre, tender lamb rump with spring greens, huacatay and black olives (reminiscent of a crisp, savoury latke), and melting pork cheek with mash and kimchi Nikkei. Finish with pineapple tartare and a cooling coconut and tarragon sorbet. Live music fills the bar while the cocktail list – arranged by continent and complete with tasting notes – brings even the most obscure ingredients to life. Try the Saraburi Punch, inspired by Thai mango sticky rice, for something silky and delicately sweet. Warm, intuitive service seals the deal – a truly memorable night out. oriolebar.com Viajante87, Notting Hill An ambitious, continent-spanning menu, moody lighting and a chilled-out yet buzzy feel set the tone for this plush, Latin American inspired basement bar in Notting Hill. Viajante means traveller in Spanish and the team’s globe-trotting approach to flavours and drinks is reflected in a lively menu that takes you from familiar classics (palomas, pisco sours, spicy margaritas) to drinks made with unexpected and lesser-known ingredients you may not have come across before. Groups can also order carafes of agave spirits or caipirinhas, and you can even work with the bar to create your own custom cocktail. Viajante87 excels in offering polished and innovative agave riffs on classic drinks. The Mole Manhattan is a tribute to Mexico’s national food, mole, using fig leaves and Criollo de Oaxaca mezcal infused with cacao and sesame along with vegetal Cynar for an evocatively earthy, smoky and nutty cocktail – it’s a must order. The Charanda Old Fashioned is another star, made with Mexican Uruapan rum, Patrón reposado and amburana seed, the latter of which adds rich vanilla and toffee notes for a sumptuous and silky drink. Elsewhere, martini fans should delve into the Martini Malcriado (savoury and herbaceous from brown butter sage mezcal) and the bracingly icy Glacier Martini. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Leche de Bichos made with floral raicilla spirit, anise hyssop and jocoque, a Mexican fermented yogurt. Tangy and creamy with gentle anise notes, it’s an intriguing note to round off a visit to this west London gem. viajantebar.com Nipperkin, Mayfair Situated in the depths of NIJŪ Japanese grill and sushi bar, Nipperkin is inspired by 1950s Japanese listening bars. Step through ornate curtains into an intimate, mid-century space with plush seating and marvel as expert mixologists fan perfectly cuboid ice, behind them an impressive record collection and vinyl set-up. Centred around micro-seasonality, the drinks menu from award-winning mixologist Angelos Bafas is split into four harvest seasons. Hyper-seasonal British ingredients such as wild garlic, spring flowers and blackberries expertly coalesce with the classic Japanese such as yuzu, shiso and matcha. The highball pickled cucumber was seriously refreshing, as was the Granny Smith and yuzu with Exmoor raw wildflower honey. Macerated blackberries and sloes make a pleasantly herbaceous and bitter sip with Axia extra dry mastiha and Cambridge red bitters, while there’s umami savouriness on offer from the likes of Nipperkin’s aged mushroom spirit, Cambridge truffle gin and tomato liqueur. Don’t overlook the ‘dry’ season – the sour green gooseberries with a non-alcoholic citrus spirit and English wasabi tastes like a lemon meringue pie with a whisper of warmth. Dunk crunchy bar snacks from NIJŪ of seasonal vegetables and lotus chips into creamy tofu with shiso oil and buttery grilled aubergine – and you can even peep into NIJŪ’s kitchen when paying a visit to the adorned bathrooms. nijulondon.com Equal Parts, Hackney Michael Sager has partnered with Matteo Vaccargiu to open an Italian aperitivo bar in a green tiled-fronted corner spot, a few doors down from the original Sager + Wilde wine bar. It’s an elegant yet unfussy space, with plenty of wood panelling, flickering candles and vinyl twirling on the decks. Perch at the window ledge to watch trendy passers-by or bag a spot at the bar to see the team shake and stir signature cocktails in front of an impressive line-up of amaros, aperitivo and bitters. The Flor cocktail combines fino sherry and olive oil vodka with Matteo’s elevated clarification of fresh tomato, basil, chilli and a tiny touch of garlic for a bright, fresh finish, alla liquid bruschetta to evoke the Sardinian coast. The Orange is a gluggable concoction of orange wine, Meletti amaro and pear and elderflower syrup, while the ACE makes a refreshing twist on the garibaldi combining carrot cordial, fresh orange juice, Campari and soda. A seasonal infusion makes its way into a trio of classics; on our visit a strawberry and fig leaf martini combo that brightened the negroni, sbagliato and americano. equalpartslondon.com Archive & Myth, Leicester Square A partnership between the brains behind Magic Mike Live and cocktail legend Jack Sotti might seem unusual but is exquisitely executed in this central London speakeasy-style bar. Once through the secret door beside the Magic Mike entrance of Leicester Square's Hippodrome Casino, a sultry, sophisticated allure takes over in a room enrobed in velvet, vintage furniture, memorabilia from the venue’s times gone by and a nostalgic soul soundtrack. There's a whole menu dedicated to 'minor' (small yet punchy) half serves, allowing guests to taste more. Stored in the bottle at -20°, the stony Martini Mineraux is a blend of Renais gin, limestone and dash of Chablis, with a spray of lemon oil to finish. Sazerac De Nata is a unique twist on the original, with an absinthe-injected quail's egg yolk plopped into the brandy and pastry tincture to emulate the flavours of the popular Portuguese pastry. Juicy guava and tequila-laced Daisy, perhaps the prettiest of the ‘major’ full size cocktails, comes topped with a creamy toasted coconut and black cardamom meringue-like foam. Snacks from adjacent restaurant Chop Chop include veggie dumplings with spicy chilli oil, crunchy salt and pepper prawns and pillowy char siu pork buns, freshly served from bamboo steamers. archiveandmyth.com Kwãnt, Mayfair Former American Bar head bartender Erik Lorincz is generally regarded as one of the best in the business and his feted bar is the stage for an original new drinking experience. Kwãnt previously had digs on Heddon Street before the pandemic forced its closure. It reopened in 2023, and the new incarnation, minutes from Green Park station, is a refined tropical oasis with high ceilings and tall windows, Polynesian-inspired art, leafy palms, a huge glass cabinet filled with vintage spirits and an elegant six-seater island bar around which white-jacketed bartenders work seamlessly. Kwãnt’s new cocktail omakase is exclusive to this central counter, with one seating per night taking place at 6pm, Thursday to Saturday. Nikka is its first collaborator, with five mini cocktails showcasing the Japanese brand’s spirits, paired with small bites from chef Joni Ketonen. Bold flavour pairings pepper a smoothly paced, 90-minute session (suavely stewarded by Erik himself). Nikka Coffey gin is blended with sea urchin and bonito, and matched with sake, champagne and verjus for a mineral, saline aperitif. Elsewhere, the versatility of whisky is showcased in drinks like the smoky, refreshing Tomato with Nikka Taketsuru single malt, pickle brine, tomato and Seedlip Garden; and the earthy, savoury Beetroot featuring Nikka Miyagikyo single malt, beetroot, miso and aged sake (here paired with a moreish one-bite beef tartare). The omakase ends with our favourite drink of the evening, Oolong, a take on an Irish coffee with Yoichi single malt, oolong tea mixed with wasanbon sugar and a topping of soy meringue foam – a deliciously creamy, delicate digestif. Nikka’s collaboration runs until 31 March, after which the omakase continues with new brands yet to be announced. 5coursedrinktastingmenu.square.site/ Good Measure, Tooting The team at Tooting’s Taiwanese hotspot, Daddy Bao, has converted its basement storeroom into an intimate bar inspired by the drinking dens of Taipei. A large cherry wood table takes centre stage amongst the packed shelves, Taiwanese trinkets including intricate paper fans, lamps and elegant vases add cosiness and Malika chats away over the low counter while shaking and stirring concoctions inspired by trips to Taiwan. Get there before 7pm for the mini martini hour, working your way through the likes of bamboo charcoal filtered Haku vodka, floral Roku gin and bright and earthy fig and mezcal flavours, all at £5 a pop. On the menu proper, written up on the large fridges (it’s still a fully functioning storeroom after all!), the house negroni comes laced with sake and orange bitters while cream of matcha is an innovative twist on a milk punch with a clarified mix of gin, sake, Greek yoghurt and matcha cream. Pair with satisfying snacks such as crunchy fried chicken with miso mayo, aged sirloin tataki and smacked Szechuan cucumber. daddybao.co.uk Muse at RSA House, West End Hidden away in the elegant Georgian environs of RSA House, Muse offers a welcome respite from the busy nearby Strand, with a fine line in sustainably minded cocktails. In partnership with Idyll Drinks and Company of Cooks, the bar is on a mission to spotlight British ingredients, all served in a relaxed, subtly luxe setting. Drinks, designed by Marcis Dzelzainis (Sager + Wilde), are brimming with unusual seasonal and botanical ingredients, from hawthorn and rosehip rum cocktails to a truffle vodka martini. Particularly interesting are a roster of classic cocktails made with wild distillates. Our favourites included a pisco sour made with pineapple weed liqueur – smooth and creamy with a delicate tropical cast – and a wild carrot margarita with a warming, earthy, herbaceous character. thersa.org/muse-at-rsa-house The Bloomsbury Club Bar, Bloomsbury Tucked underneath the Bloomsbury Hotel is this cosy art deco den that will transport you back to 1920s high society that was loved by the writers and artists of the time. The low-lit interior features luxurious leather armchairs, wall-to-wall bookshelves and an impressive, curved bar that serves ancient Egypt inspired cocktails that you can enjoy alongside bar bites and live music. The names, flavours and ingredients of the cocktails are inspired by hieroglyphs found carved in stone near the pyramids. Se Shen, which means lotus flower, pairs gin with the refreshing flavours of hibiscus, rose soda and adds sweetness of strawberry and raspberry. If you like a bit of a kick to your drink, Wadjet (goddess of serpents) blends tequila, vermouth and strawberry, finishing off with a rim of chilli salt for added fire. Enjoy your drinks with a selection of bar snacks that include pea and gorgonzola arancini, and beef and cheddar sliders. thebloomsburyclub.com Three Sheets, Soho Max and Noel Venning need no introduction in the cocktail world. The original Three Sheets in Dalston is a bartenders’ institution, thanks to its stripped-back interiors, late-night vibes and innovative. The brothers were pre-batching cocktails before it became a trend, setting standards high with their floral sparkling French 75 served in a champagne bottle. This iconic cocktail is still on the menu at the new spot in the heart of Soho, joined by many new stand-out contenders. An elegant version of a dirty martini has a delicate floral finish thanks to Ethiopian Koseret tea-infused Belvedere and a silkiness courtesy of an olive oil fat wash. Mezcal Sunrise is a juicy, long drink with smoky depth and floral bergamot notes from earl grey-infused mezcal, bright and citrussy freshly squeezed mandarin juice and a touch of marigold powder for subtle earthiness. Sazzaquack makes a short, smooth whisky number with notes of black treacle and a subtle spice finish thanks to homemade five spice tincture. The vibe is a little sleeker than the original, with marble tables, teal blue booths and black and white photographs of Soho's characters reminding punters that they are in the hearty of London's drinking district. threesheets-bar.com Coupette, Bethnal Green This is a super cool drinking den, where banter over the bar (made from French centimes) is encouraged and staff greet you with smiles and a taster of the slushie of the day as a welcome refresher. The showstopping champagne piña colada is a must-try – a mix of Bacardi Heritage, French-Caribbean agricole rum, pineapple and coconut sorbet, topped up with Moët & Chandon brut. The owners let their creativity loose on the rotating menu, the current iteration, “Barely Legal”, taking inspiration from East London’s street art. Each page showcases a unique commission from a local muralist to complement the cocktail in question, with a handy summary ‘compass’ of flavours on the first page, categorising the menu into sweet, bitter, boozy dry and refreshing citrus. Start with the Paper Plane Cobbler, a long, refreshing take on a negroni, the bitter Aperol and sour Tamarillo Amaro balanced by sweet sauternes and guava gel. On the sweet side, Nuts For Nuts makes an ideal night cap, a rich, sweet and fluffy liquid made from peanut butter distilled gin, nut cream and blitzed pistachios, walnuts and cashews, with oloroso sherry giving a fresh edge. coupette.co.uk Hacha, Dalston London’s original agaveria adds a splash of contemporary sunshine to Kingsland Road, with peach and mustard tiles, plenty of palms and an array of art to whisk you away to warmer climes. Perch at the bar and glide your eyes over the agave list, numbered in price order to help you choose. Each of the mezcals and tequilas comes with a complementary pairing, be that a thimble of vermouth, square of chocolate or something salty. Award-winning agave cocktails include the iconic mirror margaritas, made with a house sour mix to keep things clear, both in colour and taste, allowing the spirit to shine in a clean and bright no-nonsense serve. The honey bee margarita is another stand out, the chipotle-infused honey giving a soft, salty sweetness with a hint of heat. Current food residency is handled by Mexican street food wizards, Tigre Tacos. Crisp coated chunks of soft fish topped with zingy cabbage and pico de gallo make the baja fish tacos a must order. Portobello mushrooms, pickled carrots and crispy soy lime kale take vegetarian tacos to new heights, while tuna tostadas blanketed in crisp frilly chives make a silky, crisp, crunchy contender to mix up the textures a bit. hachabar.com Dram, Soho You’d be forgiven for walking past this low-key and unassuming Soho frontage of sanded wooden shutters on Denmark Street, but head in and this Grade II listed building starts to slowly unfold with surprises. There’s a basement bar, an open garden terrace, upstairs pool table room, private events room and a hidden drinks development “lab”. The more you uncover, the more you appreciate the creative vision of the founders – Chris Tanner, Martyn ‘Simo’ Simpson and Jack Wallis – as they’ve skilfully dissected and reassembled the concepts of what a bar is. The lab is where seasonal ingredients are fermented or “cordialised” and find their way into a short but succinct cocktail menu. Many are on tap and so available swiftly in the bar areas. Try one of the lower ABV highball serves such as the Mezcal & Coconut, or a stirred-down cocktail like Beetroot and Raspberry Wine, with a subtle earthiness from the beetroot that balances well with the sweet sharpness of the wine. Keep an eye on their events page for weekly rotating chef takeovers from September - excellently paired with specially crafted drinks. drambar.co.uk Lowcountry, Shoreditch Head down to this intimate basement bar, whether you’re awaiting your tasting menu at Counter71 upstairs or just fancy an evening of sleek, American South-style drinks and hospitality from head bartender Ryan Sheehan. Signatures include a clear, delicate tomato water and jalapeño-infused tequila cocktail. Classic creations feature the likes of the vieux carré, a complex and silky New Orleans stalwart that combines rye, cognac, sweet vermouth and Benedictine with bitters, and the London negroni, which uses spirits from Highgate’s Sacred distillery. Southern-inspired snacks soak up the booze – fried chicken clusters and tater tots are served with ranch sauce and cheesy dip for dunking. counter71.co.uk Freddles, London Fields In a cosy, glittery room below lively neighbourhood restaurant and wine bar, Papi, Freddles is an intimate spot to meet friends over innovative drinks. Bartender Thomas Auger was born in Paris to French and Vietnamese parents and has picked up techniques from some of London’s top cocktail bars (NOLA, Discount Suit Company, Milk & Honey) to develop his own eclectic style. The 12-strong menu is split into two halves, the first a ‘playground’ in which Thomas experiments with a seasonal old fashioned, milk punch, long drink, and carbonised cocktail, plus two wild cards in the mix. The old fashioned might be incorporate marmite for an umami hit or coconut and pandan syrup in a tropical twist. Or the milk punch could be a spring take on a piña colada made with a clarified concoction of carrot juice and pumpkin purée. The weekly spotlight gives space for classic cocktails with Thomas’s touch. Think elegant sparkling elderflower and vodka twinkles, a punchy rye sazerac or a hanky panky made using bitter Fernet-Branca. Bar snacks include pillowy slabs of toasted milk bread to dip into treacle butter, and ex-dairy beef tartare with deep-fried waffles. papirestaurant.com/freddles Bar Lina, Soho Beneath the iconic pastel-hued Italian deli, a Soho stalwart since 1944, you’ll find this elegant basement bar hidden in true speakeasy fashion. The small space is adorned in 60s-style furnishings complete with deep red velvet banquettes, soft chrome lighting and a speckled red marble bar that boasts a backdrop of aperitif bottles. The menu focuses on revisitations of classic Italian cocktails, with a whole section dedicated to the negroni (including the La Voglia La Pazzia fatwashed in coffee butter) and the spritz (try the Mambo Italiano that uses Campari infused with rosemary and honey topped up with citrusy clarified grapefruit). The signature figlet is a short, bittersweet number combining two fig liqueurs (one homemade and one bottled in Seven Sisters using Italian fig leaves) with a touch of vanilla syrup. barlina.co.uk The Lower Third, Soho Think of the Lower Third as a neighbourhood bar with ambition. Located on Denmark Street, it's unpretentious yet smart enough to feel special, where it’s just as easy to order a beer and a shot as it is a deftly mixed cocktail. The bar is the first of several spaces that branch out, warren-like, into the building, a mix of smaller performance areas and larger capacity venues. Keen to pay tribute to the legendary musical heritage of Denmark Street as well as the site’s former incarnation, music venue The 12 Bar Club, there’s a commitment to showcasing new and local talent, as well as more well-known bands and artists. Back in the bar, Shannon Tebay, previously of the American Bar at the Savoy and Death & Co in New York, has created a roster of twists on classic cocktails, with names taken from albums by major artists that have recorded on Denmark Street. Hits on our visit included Never Mind the Bollocks – a savoury, vegetal margarita with St George Green Chile vodka, blanco tequila, Haitian clairin rum and banana; and Band of Gypsys, a seductively smoky, negroni-style drink with mezcal, Campari, vermouth, coffee and tropical notes from passion fruit. If you’ve ever wondered what a piña colada made with scotch tastes like, then try the Schoolboys in Disgrace, where Monkey Shoulder and Talisker 10 Year Old make a surprisingly successful match with coconut cream and melon liqueur – the whisky adding a warm, boozy backbone to the drink. thelowerthird.co.uk Dover Yard, Mayfair This sleek bar is hidden away in eco chic oasis, 1 Hotel Mayfair. Natural aesthetics include low gnarled wood tables with sofas and throws in soft, muted tones. A striking bar showcases delicate racing pigeon feathers worked into a gentle wave beneath the glass. Repurposed ingredients take the limelight in the eclectic range of sophisticated cocktails. Rum-based falernum liqueur is fat-washed with left-over breakfast pastries and shaken with the bar’s own lemon sour mash, made from squeezing surplus lemon and lime husks, to create the unique Pan Brioche cocktail, reminiscent of a whisky sour and topped with a tiny croissant. Rotating seasonal classics include the vibrant Purple Carrot Garibaldi that infuses vodka with English purple carrots, while the lower-ABV Palomito is a long, bittersweet and refreshing concoction of Campari, Mancino Chinato vermouth and pink grapefruit. 1hotels.com Lyaness, Southbank Ryan Chetiyawardana’s flagship bar is lauded for its innovative mixology, and also happens to be one of the nicest places to enjoy a cocktail on the South Bank. On the ground floor of the Sea Containers hotel, it combines a light, bright palette of sky blue walls, electric blue banquettes, opulent gold accents and a sweeping emerald green marble bar (leftover from the site’s previous iteration, the award-winning Dandelyan) with glorious views of the Thames. It is a fresh, modern take on what a hotel bar should be, with yearly changing cocktail menus a product of meticulous research and freewheeling creativity. The latest, Collaboration Menu, is themed around cooperation and the coming together of ideas. If that all sounds rather serious then, rest assured, the drinks themselves are fun and full of flavour. The menu makes use of 12 housemade ingredients, from savoury and creamy KitKat-so, a koji and KitKat combo, to the sweet-sour-umami Bitterless Aperitif, a fusion of grapefruit, radicchio and plantain. The zippy Vantapink Gimlet is a tangy, tart confection of Botanist gin, ‘spite cordial’ made with dock leaves, rhubarb and fermented nettles, while the No Spoon Old Fashioned, matching Del Maguey mezcal with walnut honey and hibiscus-based ‘purple bitters’ is punchily smoky and spicy. Top billing on our visit went to the Pitstop Fix, using Port Charlotte 10 whisky, KitKat-so, linden honey, tropical chilli and lemon for a delicious next-level sour – smoky and savoury, creamy and silky. lyaness.com Stereo, Covent Garden Beneath the depths of Covent Garden’s cobblestones sits Stereo, a cocktail bar that harks back to the analogue era with its 70s-esque brown wood panelled décor, vintage cocktails, vinyl-only DJ sets and live bands. From the focal point bar surrounded by orb-shaped lamps, disco punch bowls are mixed with STEREO house vodka and Thames Distillers gin as well as 70s- and 80s-inspired cocktails using vintage vermouth and other aged spirits. Negroni and espresso martini are on draft or choose from the likes of Flying Paper’s black sesame seed-encrusted tumbler with Buffalo Trace bourbon hibiscus, amaro Montenegro and lemon, or Sunset in Oaxaca’s evening pick-me-up with Tapatio tequila blanco, mezcal, rhubarb cordial, Aperol, lemon and orange blossom. Kick off the night with à la carte American-inspired dishes of dredged fried chicken sandos and macaroni cheese with a brioche crumb – chef-restaurateur Andrew Clarke of Acme Fire Cult consulted on the menu – accompanied by the smooth house band. Then dance until the early hours with their rotating line-up of DJs. If you get peckish, late-night bar snacks and nibbles will keep you going with the likes of warm popcorn with espelette salt and STEREO hot wings. stereocoventgarden.com 3’6 at Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly Fortnum’s third-floor bar has been revamped into a sleek, plush cocktail den, with inky blue walls, jewel-coloured velvet sofas and a striking 3D-printed bar complete with an undulating wooden wave installation that flows across the ceiling. Design your own cocktail, mixing and matching spirits, cocktail styles, flavours and bitters. A negroni-style drink with tequila, strawberries and rose is herbaceous, floral and delicate. Other highlights include highballs made with house-fermented sodas – try pomegranate and rosemary. fortnumandmason.com Bar Daskal, London Bridge This warm and intimate Iberian-inspired wine bar comes from Harts Group, the brains behind Barrafina and Parrillan, bringing Spanish wines, sherries and cocktails to Borough Yards in London Bridge. Creamy walls, stone chequered floors, cheerful Mallorcan fabrics and objects, and a bar covered in terracotta-hued tiles bring relaxed Med vibes to the space. Spanish fortified wines and spirits take centre stage in the pithy cocktail list – try the Eduardo, featuring dry sherry, vermut and bitters for a toasty, savoury take on a manhattan. The sherry list also shines: we tried a funky unfiltered manzanilla and a complex, nutty palo cortado. bardaskal.co.uk Eve Bar, Covent Garden Hidden away in one of central London’s busiest neighbourhoods, Eve Bar is a slinky, neon-lit drinking den with zero-waste cocktails and superior bar snacks. Sister bar to the Michelin-starred Frog by Adam Handling upstairs, Eve leans into its biblical moniker with illuminated stained-glass windows and ornate branches, apples and foliage snaking around the space. Its cocktail offering is intimately linked with the restaurant – ingredients that can’t be used upstairs in the kitchen are repurposed in the drinks downstairs. The latest menu, Technique, showcases this in drinks such as the Chicken Butter OF, which combines the eponymous butter (a signature of chef Adam’s) with Michter’s Sour Mash whisky and porcini – the end result is a supercharged old fashioned with opulent butterscotch notes. Another winner, Rocket Fuel, is an elevated spicy margarita, with chilli and kimchi adding tangy, funky heat. Non-alcoholic drinks also impress – the Olive Garden with Everleaf Forest, apple and olive brine is subtly saline and flavourful. Don’t miss out on the next-level bar snacks courtesy of Frog. Dainty and refined, favourites included decadent duck egg and parmesan custards served in a billowing flourish of dry ice, and springy sourdough with more of that luscious chicken butter. evebar.co.uk Swift, Borough Acclaimed London bar Swift has brought its trademark art deco style and speakeasy vibes to Borough. The two-storey space is modelled after the original Soho site (there's also one in Shoreditch), with a lighter, airy bar on the ground floor, with a no-reservation policy and an aperitivo drinks offering – perfect for post-work drinks. Downstairs, discover an intimate, glossy and dimly lit subterranean set-up. Named the Back Pocket, it’s a seated-only area with a new menu of original cocktails (although you can still find Swift classics including its impeccable Irish coffee) inspired by the history and people of the surrounding Borough area. Drinks are free of fussy garnishes yet complex and nuanced. Highlights include the Biscuit Town – malted milk scotch, cacao, demerara, chocolate and vanilla bitters – and full of comforting creamy chocolate and biscuit notes. The Golden Hinde, featuring mead, anejo tequila and brown butter, is perfectly balanced: toasty, rich and layered. The Pilgrim marries peaty, smoky scotch and spicy bourbon with juicy, fruity notes from cherry to make a fabulous fruity whisky cocktail. barswift.com Cellar at Kindred, Hammersmith The hectic roundabout at Hammersmith Broadway is an unexpected setting for cocktails, but members’ club Kindred, in the elegant Grade-II listed Bradmore House, has launched Cellar, a laidback café and bar open to the public. In relaxed and casual surroundings, cocktails come courtesy of resident mixologist Julian de Feral (Milk & Honey, Lutyens and Hawksmoor) and offer plenty of accessible, crowd-pleasing twists on classics. Try the Brambl-ita – Curado Cupreata smoked tequila with lime, spiced chocolate bitters and blackberry liqueur – for a vibrantly fruity, satisfyingly zingy twist on a margarita. Those looking for a lighter tipple should opt for the Kindred Spritz, using flavour-packed non-alcoholic aperitif Everleaf to add extra oomph alongside cherry aperitif, peach and jasmine soda and sparkling wine for a delicate, floral drink. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cellar takes a classic espresso martini and injects it with tropical character with the addition of Aluna coconut and coffee liqueur, Cargo Cult banana spiced rum and spices for an opulent serve. wearekindred.com Sweeties, King's Cross Step into the Standard hotel’s sleek red pill lift and zoom up to the 10th floor for this luxe bar that combines retro interiors with playful, off-beat cocktails and unrivalled views of King’s Cross and St Pancras. In keeping with its home, a restored 1970s Brutalist office block, Sweeties takes its cue from the same decade, with opulent interiors including velvet sofas, mirrored tables, gold accents, wood panelling and patterned carpets. The cocktail menu features ‘feel-good ingredients and mood-enhancing mixes’ designed to be energising and uplifting. We’re not sure if we felt these effects but regardless the drinks are very good. Pick Me Up – made with eight adaptogens (ingredients that help the body deal with stress) mushrooms, vodka, rum, caramel and burnt butter drank like an elevated espresso martini, layered and earthy, with rounded depth. Roots Manuva – riesling vermouth, golden beet caramel, turmeric, ginseng, ginger, orange and mead – is vibrant, honeyed and fresh, with a vegetal edge. No Whey Jose, blanco tequila with strawberry, red rice, rose and a salted hot coconut foam, was the delightful cocktail equivalent of a Campino strawberry candy. Purple Rain – Johnny Walker whisky, amazake, salted plum, cherry bark and blossom wine – was like an extra fruity old fashioned, bursting with berry flavours, smoky and subtly savoury. standardhotels.com/sweeties Seed Library, Shoreditch Ryan Chetiyawardana’s latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. Expect elevated riffs on cocktail classics with a touch of whimsy. The vibrant Breakfast Bellini with Patrón tequila, century beans, breakfast fruit and champagne is served with a fried egg sweet balanced on top of the glass. Asteriod Garden is a celestial spin on the English Garden, lifted with shochu and pink meteor wine, while apple blossom and tundra tea bring refreshment. A Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed – clean and citrusy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Bar snacks include the likes of nocerella olives, spiced nuts and chilli rice crackers - everything you want from a nibble: savoury, salty and crunchy. Analogue lovers can find East London's Diggers Dozen spinning vinyl at the weekend. seedlibraryshoreditch.com Dona, Stoke Newington There’s something soothingly womb-like and seductive about descending into Doña, with its basement setting and sumptuous, lavishly trimmed décor of wall-to-wall rich reds and pinks scattered with prickly cacti, velvet seating and a fabulous pink-fringed bar. It’s an all-female affair – founded by friends Thea Cumming and Lucia Massey, and functions as both mezcal bar and community arts platform – there’s music and performance most nights, with an emphasis on female and queer artists, and a lively cultural programme. There's also tacos on tap, thanks to Tigre Tacos upstairs. Thea has her own mezcal brand, Dangerous Don, and founded London Mezcal Week, so it’s no surprise Doña is a treasure trove of rare and small-batch mezcals. If you’re new to mezcal then we recommend starting with the short but hard-working cocktail list, which explores the versatility of this smoky agave spirit. Take the Fiorella: made with Quiquiriqui mezcal, dry vermouth, Italicus and Empirical Ayuuk, it has the clean, crystalline feel of a martini but with a herbaceous, earthy backbone. Or try the Monika, with Dangerous Don Café, chocolate, crème de cacao, Cocchi Americano and amaretto, which tastes like a refined, elevated espresso martini, replete with coffee, chocolate and nutty notes. Doña also makes a cracking house margarita – we asked for a spicy version and the end result was superb, poky and zesty with a savoury, briny twang at the end. bardonalondon.com Connaught Bar, Mayfair Low-lit, slinky, plush luxury is the name of the game at this acclaimed hotel bar, whose tastefully decadent surrounds – metallic accents, mirrors, a mutedly rich palate and plenty of seating to sink into – is matched by impeccable service and even more impressive cocktails. If you only order one drink let it be the martini – made at a trolley by your table with theatrical, expert aplomb (watching them pour the martini in a high, silvery stream into your glass is a sight to behold). Tanqueray No Ten is the recommended serve, along with a blend of vermouths and your choice of homemade bitters (ranging from tonka bean and lavender to cardamom, on our visit). The end result is spot on, silky textured and very generous in size – don’t drink one on an empty stomach. Their latest menu, Formae, also has much to explore, drawing inspiration from the shapes and forms of the surrounding bar. We tried the Voronoi – a fruitier, lighter take on a margarita with Tapatio tequila, Michoacan mezcal, vetiver liqueur, lime and timur sherbet, vermouth, grapefruit hops bitters and agave water. Thought has gone into the zero-alcohol offering, too – we enjoyed the sprightly Pietra with ginseng and bergamot kombucha, osmanthus honey syrup and sauvignon blanc juice. Complimentary buttery olives and crackers are continuously refilled by meticulously attentive staff, and winning canapés include ultra-light and crispy tempura made with seasonal veg, crispy salmon sashimi with chipotle mayo and velvety guacamole. the-connaught.co.uk/connaught-bar Three Sheets, Dalston A stripped-back cocktail bar with a succinct list of drinks, Three Sheets has raked in the plaudits over the years but still retains a buzzy neighbourhood hang-out vibe. It was the first venture from the Venning brothers, originally from Manchester, who have worked in leading cocktail bars for years, most notably Max’s experience with Tony Conigliaro’s Drinks Factory and 69 Colebrooke Row and Noel’s time in Manchester at tequila bar Crazy Pedro’s. More recently, they've also helped found Crouch End's Little Mercies (see below) and Highbury wine bar Top Cuvée – as well as its roaringly successful shop, Shop Cuvée. Max and Noel aren’t big on the showy side of cocktail making – behind the bar is a simple shelf of bottles containing only what the mixologists need for the short cocktail list. This no-frills approach allows the brothers’ northern charm to shine through; they chat away and recommend local haunts while shaking up drinks as though hosting you in their own home. The pithy drinks list changes seasonally, but usually features their famous fizzy pre-bottled French 75, made with gin, verjus, clarified lemon juice, moscato and orange flower. Poured straight into your glass like champagne, it’s dangerously easy to drink (you can buy it buy the glass, or, even better, by the bottle).threesheets-bar.com SOMA, Soho This understated bar occupies subterranean premises on Soho’s Denman Street, next door to sister restaurant Kricket. Inside, expect pared-back yet polished cocktails served in low-lit, slinkily minimalist surrounds – think a stainless steel bar, indigo walls and walnut furnishings. SOMA – like Kricket – takes inspiration from the Indian subcontinent, serving snappily executed riffs on classic cocktails that showcase clever spicing and an eclectic approach to ingredients. Start with the mooli, a crystalline affair of vodka with curry leaf-infused vermouth served ice-cold from the freezer and garnished with a sliver of pickled mooli. Savoury and peppery, delicate and clean, it may be a Marmite drink for some, but fans of a gibson martini should make a beeline for it. The chaat – mezcal, tequila, chaat masala, kumquat and a moreish gooseberry salt – is winningly clean, zesty and saline, while the oak is a silky, nutty, opulent marriage of cardamom, aged gin, amaro, vermouth and amontillado sherry. It's the perfect nightcap to end the evening. somasoho.com Little Mercies, Crouch End Modern, easy-drinking cocktails are the focus at Alan Sherwood’s (Peg + Patriot, Scout) laidback establishment. Inside, it's calm and composed – expect a minimalist interior of exposed brick, a concrete bar, pendant lamps and inky blue walls. The cocktails here are elegant, with plenty of homemade ingredients – most recently, a negroni made with the bar's own passionfruit vermouth. There's also a fun yet innovative approach to classic drinks, think bellinis made with lacto-fermented peach, kiwi gimlets and 'Snickers' old fashioneds. littlemercies.co.uk Nightjar, Shoreditch The busy City Road in Shoreditch seems an unlikely setting for a stylish, subterranean speakeasy bar but that’s exactly where you’ll find Nightjar. On the outside, a tall wooden door sandwiched between two cafés is the only evidence of its existence, but go inside and discover a plush space replete with candlelit tables, leather banquette seating and flatteringly dim lighting. The bar’s characteristically detailed drinks menu riffs on old cocktail recipes (ranging from the pre-prohibition to post-war periods) but adds its own twist. Try the Honeymoon – a short, fresh yet punchy blend of Glenfiddich 21-year-old whisky, Nightjar’s ‘forbidden fruit liqueur’ (a mix of citrussy pomelo, sherry and dry vermouth), Cynar, mead, lemon and geranium leaf. It's a complex drink, dry and delicately smoky, with subtle honey and aniseed notes. Drink nerds should investigate the bar’s vintage spirits menu, which is full of rare, aged spirits dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. barnightjar.com Photography: Laura Aziz (Muse at RSA House)
While an old fashioned is traditionally made with whisky it also works beautifully with any barrel-aged spirit – try doing the same with dark rum or cognac.
Try our añejo tequila old fashioned, then discover spicy margarita, frozen margarita and more tequila cocktail recipes. Find more refreshing drinks in our collection of summer cocktail recipes, including a long island iced tea, piña colada and mai tai. After, read how to elevate your cocktail skills with our best home bar hacks. Añejo tequila old fashioned recipe
Tequila and cream sounds like a rogue combination but using aged añejo tequila works really well in this nutty pudding cocktail.
Try our añejo amaretto alexander, then discover spicy margarita, frozen margarita and more tequila cocktail recipes. Find more refreshing drinks in our collection of summer cocktail recipes, including a long island iced tea, piña colada and mai tai. After, read how to elevate your cocktail skills with our best home bar hacks. Añejo amaretto alexander recipe
We’ve taken a classic moscow mule and replaced the vodka with aged tequila, which adds a lovely complexity to this easy highball.
Try our añejo tequila mule, then discover spicy margarita, frozen margarita and more tequila cocktail recipes. Find more refreshing drinks in our collection of summer cocktail recipes, including a long island iced tea, piña colada and mai tai. After, read how to elevate your cocktail skills with our best home bar hacks. Añejo tequila mule recipe
Discover why cream sherry makes such a versatile cocktail ingredient and the best recipes to try, including ideas for fino and manzanilla sherry
Read our guide to the best sherry cocktails, then explore the best sherries to drink this Christmas, the best ports to buy and our collection of 64 Christmas cocktails. What is cream sherry? Cream sherry is a style of sweet sherry that's usually made by blending a dry wine, like oloroso, with sweet wines like pedro ximénez. It was once hugely popular (especially Harveys Bristol Cream, which in its early 1970s heyday sold a million cases a year in the UK) but this has waned thanks to the mass production of sickly-sweet, low-quality sherries and, more recently, the changing tastes of drinkers as they seek out dry styles like fino and manzanilla. This is rather a shame because a good cream sherry from a quality producer is a lovely thing: sweet but not cloying and full of the beautiful festive flavours of dried fruit, caramel and nuts that make it a perfect match for desserts and cheeseboards (try it with blue cheese). While it’s delicious sipped neat (always drink it chilled – on the rocks with an orange slice is particularly good), the complexity of flavours in a good cream sherry make it a surprisingly versatile cocktail ingredient. Plus it lasts for ages in the fridge once opened – for weeks and even up to months. Sherry cocktail recipes Cream sherry cocktails Sherry flip Velvety and nutty, this sherry flip makes an excellent alternative to eggnog during the festive season. Sherry highball Inspired by the sherry colada at New York bar Sip & Guzzle, this drink mixes cream sherry with pineapple soda for a fresh, tropical, highly gluggable highball. Sherry whisky sour A Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail, the cream sherry adds extra festive flavours to the drink. Manzanilla sherry cocktails Seabreeze cocktail You'll need cranberry vodka, two types of sherry and grapefruit juice for this zesty, tart cocktail, from Manzi's seafood restaurant in Soho. Olive martini Add a touch of sophistication to your next martini with guindilla pepper brine and manzanilla sherry. Don't forget the green olive to garnish. Fino sherry cocktails Rebujito The rebujito, popular in Andalusia, is just the ticket for warm-weather drinking: a highball cocktail where dry fino sherry is mixed with lemonade for a tall, thirst-quenching drink. Tuxedo This sleek and elegant cocktail is very similar to a martini, but instead of vermouth uses dry fino sherry for an appetisingly nutty edge.
Inspired by the sherry colada at New York bar Sip & Guzzle, we’ve mixed cream sherry with pineapple soda for this fresh, tropical, highly gluggable highball
Try our sherry highball, then discover our sherry sour, Tiojito sherry cocktail and frozen sherry cobbler cocktail. Also, try more Christmas cocktails. Sherry highball recipe
A Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail, the cream sherry adds extra festive flavours to the drink
Try our sherry whisky sour, then discover our old fashioned, Manhattan, whisky highball, sazerac and more whisky cocktails. Sherry whisky sour recipe
Discover our favourite London hotel bars, from contemporary drinking dens to venues that exude old-school glamour
Looking for the best London hotel bars? I've been olive's drinks writer for the past eight years, and trust me when I say that London has some of the best hotel bars in the world. With cutting-edge mixology, iconic cocktails and opulent environments, many have become destinations in their own right. And with that in mind, I've curated a list of the best ones to visit right now, from sleek Mayfair outfits to funky Shoreditch drinking dens. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking out a classy drink or two. Don't forget to check this guide for updates, as I'll be refreshing it with new openings and must-visit favourites. Now, find out the best dining experiences in London, best restaurants in London with a view and the best food and drink festivals to visit. We also have our round-up of the best London pubs for food lovers. If you like your cocktail served with stellar sound systems, discover our favourite listening bars in London. The best London hotel bars to visit Vesper Bar at The Dorchester, Mayfair The vesper martini first appeared in James Bond’s debut, Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale, a potent mix of gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc. The drink – and Fleming’s frequent patronage of the hotel – provided inspiration for when The Dorchester revamped its own longstanding bar into a destination venue. Vesper Bar is a thirties-inspired golden, glimmering confection, with polished wood and shimmering surfaces, plump blue armchairs, racing green bar stools and a beautiful 1930s palladium leaf ceiling. It’s plush, luxe and comfortable, with seamless service. The latest menu, Eterna, explores the golden ratio, a mathematical ratio seen throughout nature and art, and expressed in the menu through different flavour profiles – from savoury to herbaceous, floral and smoky. The Venus Observed, with coconut pisco, Seatrus gin, Italicus, tomato and caperberry, is a savoury delight, while Thunderball’s combination of Enemigo blanco tequila, pineapple and sage sauvignon blanc is a smoky, spicy winner. The Green Knight deploys diverse ingredients including vodka, mastiha, feta, gentian and watermelon in a balanced, gluggable drink, full of herbaceous character. It would be remiss to miss out on drinking an actual vesper, made with Stolichnaya vodka, the hotel’s own old tom gin, forbidden fruit liqueur and dry sherry. It’s icy, boozy perfection. dorchestercollection.com <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2025/06/TheDorchester-VesperBar-Hero-DorchesterCollection-1-3e2476c.jpg" width="11648" height="8736" alt="Vesper Bar interiors, a thirties-inspired golden, glimmering bar, with polished wood, plump blue armchairs, racing green bar stools and a 1930s palladium leaf ceiling" title="TheDorchester-VesperBar-Hero-DorchesterCollection (1)" /> Velvet at Corinthia London, Embankment Hidden away in the grandly opulent surrounds of the Corinthia hotel, Velvet is as lush and lavishly swagged as the name suggests. Hidden behind velvet curtains, with soft lighting and plumply upholstered sofas and chairs in rich jewel shades, it’s an intimate, plush showcase for cocktails courtesy of award-winning drinks maestro, Salvatore Calabrese. The bar’s current menu, The Quote Book, is inspired by the words of the great and good, and has plenty to discover. Start with the bright and silky Calypso – a lovely way to use whisky in a long cocktail with Hibiki Harmony, umeshu sake, Amaro Lucano and an almond butter fat wash adding mellow nuttiness. V=SC² is a forward-thinking spin on a martini, featuring Tuscan Ginepraio gin, a bell pepper distillation and a trio of cabbage, saffron and basil oils, plus Muyu Jasmine liqueur. It’s a complex, aromatic affair with interplaying vegetal and floral notes. If more martinis are your thing, then the cocktail menu comes with a pleasingly lengthy list. Try a Salvatore classic, Spicy Fifty, with Stolichnaya Vanilla, elderflower, chilli and lime juice, full of spicy, floral and citrus flavours. Elsewhere, there’s a lengthy roster of champagnes on offer and luxe bar snacks including caviar and blinis, buttermilk-fried Norfolk chicken and Devon crab bao bun sliders. Classy live music can accompany your libations from Tuesday to Saturday until late. corinthia.com Side Hustle at The Nomad London, Covent Garden What was once the former Bow Street police station now feels like a slice of Manhattan real estate, with Side Hustle’s grand marble-topped bar and dark wood, and leather-lined booths with brass rails. This is very much in keeping with the NoMad hotel itself, a New York import, but when it comes to the drinks and food this lively bar and restaurant takes its cue from much farther south, with a cocktail menu centred around Latin American flavours and agave spirits. There’s a delightful menu of seasonal margaritas – a rhubarb expression with yuzu and Aperol is tangy and full bodied, while a bergamot and chilli creation has lovely floral notes with tingle of heat. Other classics include a zingy paloma but it’s also worth exploring the roster of house cocktails that explore the variety of agave spirits. We dived into the agave martinis, highlights of which include a dirty tequila-based variation with savoury depth from fino sherry, and a spicy martini using corn-infused mezcal and Thai bird’s-eye chilli for a cocktail with a proper poky punch. Bar snacks are not to be missed, including an on-point guacamole, prawn croquettes, charred Padrón peppers with umami salsa macha, plus delicious tacos including baja fish, chicken tinga and pork carnitas. hilton.com Connaught Bar at The Connaught Hotel, Mayfair Low-lit, slinky, plush luxury is the name of the game at this acclaimed hotel bar, whose tastefully decadent surrounds – metallic accents, mirrors, a mutedly rich palate and plenty of seating to sink into – is matched by impeccable, meticulously attentive service and even more impressive cocktails. So impressive, in fact, that it was voted World's Best Bar in 2021. If you only order one drink let it be the martini – made at a trolley by your table with theatrical, expert aplomb (watching them pour the martini in a high, silvery stream into your glass is a sight to behold). Tanqueray No Ten is the recommended serve, along with a blend of vermouths and your choice of homemade bitters (ranging from tonka bean and lavender to cardamom, on our visit). The end result is spot on, silky textured and very generous in size – don’t drink one on an empty stomach. the-connaught.co.uk Punch Room at The London EDITION, Fitzrovia Hidden in the depths of the glamorous London EDITION hotel, this bar is a cocoon of wood panelling and blue-grey velvet banquettes where creatives gather for hushed conversations over iconic punch-style cocktails. An electric fire casts a cosy ambience across the lounge area and there’s a steady stream of shaking and stirring at the free-standing bar in the corner. The menu plays with light, and drinks are split into three sections – opaque, translucent and transparent. From the latter, completely clear drinks include the silky, mezcal-based Halo of Smoke with a kick from cayenne pepper, fragrant Bergamot liqueur Italicus and a fresh, grassy lift from coriander, basil and parsley oil dropped in. Fireball Punch has a tropical edge while negroni fans should order the unique Mother of Pearl, with Campari playing its part in a bittersweet pink foam that sits atop a clear Sakura cherry vermouth infused liquid. An eclectic choice of bar food ranges from the likes of toasted brioche rolls filled with tempura prawns, marie rose and trout caviar to crisp chicken tenders lifted with jalapeño and even mini versions of Berner Tavern comfort food, such as mac and cheese with braised beef blade. editionhotels.com Seed Library at One Hundred Shoreditch, Shoreditch Ryan Chetiyawardana’s latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. Expect elevated riffs on cocktail classics with a touch of whimsy. The vibrant Breakfast Bellini with Patrón tequila, century beans, breakfast fruit and champagne is served with a fried egg sweet balanced on top of the glass. Asteriod Garden is a celestial spin on the English Garden, lifted with shochu and pink meteor wine, while apple blossom and tundra tea bring refreshment. A Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed – clean and citrusy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Bar snacks include the likes of nocerella olives, spiced nuts and chilli rice crackers - everything you want from a nibble: savoury, salty and crunchy. Analogue lovers can find East London's Diggers Dozen spinning vinyl at the weekend. seedlibraryshoreditch.com Le Magritte at The Beaumont, Mayfair The bar of Mayfair’s opulent art-deco hotel, The Beaumont, is enveloped in old school American elegance. Jazz legends rotate on the soundtrack as well as featuring in black and white photographs on wood-panelled walls. Intimate seating areas are arranged around mirrored tables topped with lamps casting their soft glow. Or hop up at the bar to be dazzled by the mirror-backed array of bottles. There’s a line-up of bitter aperitif classics such as manhattans, negronis and boulevardiers, or choose something unique in the zesty Empire of Light laced with smoky mezcal. The Six Elements makes for a delicate, grown-up, non-alcoholic option. Superb bar snacks include dinky Hereford sliders, crisp, bechamel-filled french toast squares topped with bacon jam and the famous prawn cocktail in which six giant plump prawns perch on the rim of a large sundae glass with a pot of Marie rose sauce on ice. thebeaumont.com/dining/le-magritte The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s, Mayfair This intimate hotel bar is a pretty, blush- hued, 1930s-inspired hideaway in Mayfair. A beautiful pink onyx bar and art deco-inspired skylight and light fixture dominate a room lined with dusky banquettes and a delicate mural from artist Annie Morris. Drinks here are pure and pared-back, inspired by the flavours of southern Europe. The Painter’s Negroni, with The Lakes gin, Mancino vermouth, Campari and tonka is a light spin on the Italian classic. The Flamingo with Belvedere vodka and aperitifs Savoia and Cocchi Rosa is fresh and floral with summer berry notes. A bar snack of decadent Claridge’s fried chicken is a must. claridges.co.uk The American Bar at The Savoy, Mayfair Voted the World’s Best Bar on multiple occasions, thanks to spot-on cocktails and lashings of Art Deco glamour, The American Bar’s iconic status has long been established. Despite its reputation, it’s not a bar that’s out to intimidate – while the sleek, 1920s-style cream fittings are smart, and the helpful, white-jacketed waiters impress, the vibe is quietly tasteful, low-slung leather chairs are comfortable, the tinkle of jazz piano and the sound of cocktail shakers your only soundtrack for the evening. The latest cocktail menu, Re:Invented, is self-explanatory, offering smart and assured spins on classic drinks. The Hanky Panky Highball, with gin, white rum, sweet vermouth, Cynar and tonic, is freshly tart and herbaceous, while To the Moon & Back, with Bowmore 15-year-old whisky, oloroso sherry, chilli, green apple and soda is full-bodied and smoky yet long and refreshing – a next-level whisky soda. Those willing to try something different should make a beeline for the Savoy Bells, a complex marriage of blanco tequila with white port and a red wine float that is bright with herbaceous agave flavour, silky with a sweetly fruity edge. thesavoylondon.com The Donovan, Mayfair Mayfair isn’t lacking in swish hotel bars, but The Donovan Bar is plushly discreet, ideal if you’re after a cocktail in a low-key, luxurious setting. Tucked away in Brown’s Hotel, wood-panelled and decked out in soothing greys with green velvet armchairs, nab a seat at the sleek, glass-topped bar to watch your drinks get whipped up in front of you. The bar is named after 60s photographer Terence Donovan, whose black-and-white photography adorns the space. The cocktails are inspired by iconic figures connected to Brown’s, from Oscar Wilde to Oliver Reed, and are co-created by powerhouse bartender Salvatore Calabrese (whose own signature drinks, like the vanilla- and chilli-spiked Spicy Fifty, are also on the list). Not Shaken, Not Stirred is the delicious love child of a martini and an espresso martini – Ciroc vodka redistilled with Lucano coffee cordial, plus coffee caviar. It’s clear and crystalline with a warming, spicy undertone. Another hit, Read Between the Lines, gives an old fashioned some buttery, saline oomph with salted-butter-washed Dewar’s whisky. Lighter cocktails include the Honey Bear, refreshing and tart with Campari and rhubarb cordial, plus Normandy cider, adding fruity funkiness. Non-alcs also impress – try the spritz-like Virgin Falls, crisp yet creamy and spicy. roccofortehotels.com Lyaness, Sea Containers Hotel, Southwark Drinks maestro Ryan Chetiyawardana’s flagship bar is lauded for its innovative mixology, and also happens to be one of the nicest places to enjoy a cocktail on the South Bank. On the ground floor of the Sea Containers hotel, it combines a light, bright palette of sky blue walls, electric blue banquettes, opulent gold accents and a sleek emerald green marble bar (leftover from the site’s previous iteration, the award-winning Dandelyan) with glorious views of the Thames. Lyaness is a fresh, modern take on what a hotel bar should be, with yearly changing cocktail menus a product of meticulous research and freewheeling creativity. The latest, Collaboration Menu, is themed around cooperation and the coming together of ideas. If that all sounds rather serious then, rest assured, the drinks themselves are fun and full of flavour. The menu makes use of 12 housemade ingredients, from savoury and creamy KitKat-so, a koji and KitKat combo, to the sweet-sour-umami Bitterless Aperitif, a fusion of grapefruit, radicchio and plantain. The zippy Vantapink Gimlet is a tangy, tart confection of Botanist gin, ‘spite cordial’ made with dock leaves, rhubarb and fermented nettles, while the No Spoon Old Fashioned, matching Del Maguey mezcal with walnut honey and hibiscus-based ‘purple bitters’ is punchily smoky and spicy. Top billing on our visit went to the Pitstop Fix, using Port Charlotte 10 whisky, KitKat-so, linden honey, tropical chilli and lemon for a delicious next-level sour – smoky and savoury, creamy and silky. lyaness.com The Coral Room at The Bloomsbury, Bloomsbury This luxe Bloomsbury hotel bar, tucked away on a quiet side street in a busy area of central London, combines bold interiors with an intriguing wine list. Saturated coral walls, huge white murano glass chandeliers and a sweeping, marble-topped art deco-style bar, super-sized pot plants everywhere and low, plushly upholstered chairs and sofas set a striking tone at the bar, matched by an extensive list of English sparkling wines, curated by master of wine Anne McHale, with options by the bottle and a small, ever-changing list of wines by the glass. thecoralroom.co.uk Dukes Bar at Duke's, Mayfair This bar might be world-famous but it still feels like one of London's best kept secrets, discreetly tucked away in a quiet Mayfair cul-de-sac. Inside, discover a lushly outfitted parlour that feels little changed since the hotel first opened its doors in 1908, with antique portraits on the walls, plump armchairs, courtly white-jacketed waiters and a cosy wood-panelled bar. Martinis are the name of the game here. Waiters will bring a trolley to your table stocked with ice-cold bottles of gin, vodka and decanters of vermouth and bitters, and assemble your drink with streamlined efficiency. If you ever tire of overly elaborate mixology and cocktails then a Dukes Bar martini is a delicious palate cleanser: clean, crystalline and, it has to be said, enormous – the two martini maximum at the bar is a wise one. dukeshotel.com Dover Yard at 1 Hotel Mayfair, Mayfair This sleek bar is hidden away in eco chic oasis, 1 Hotel Mayfair. Natural aesthetics include low gnarled wood tables with sofas and throws in soft, muted tones. A striking bar showcases delicate racing pigeon feathers worked into a gentle wave beneath the glass. Repurposed ingredients take the limelight in the eclectic range of sophisticated cocktails. Rum-based falernum liqueur is fat-washed with left-over breakfast pastries and shaken with the bar’s own lemon sour mash, made from squeezing surplus lemon and lime husks, to create the unique Pan Brioche cocktail, reminiscent of a whisky sour and topped with a tiny croissant. Rotating seasonal classics include the vibrant Purple Carrot Garibaldi that infuses vodka with English purple carrots, while the lower-ABV Palomito is a long, bittersweet and refreshing concoction of Campari, Mancino Chinato vermouth and pink grapefruit. 1hotels.com Beaufort Bar at The Savoy, Picadilly Tucked away deep at the back of The Savoy, you’ll find the hidden gem that is the Beaufort Bar. The vibe inside is dark and moody with dim lighting, black walls and opulent gold highlights for an intimate feel, but there’s also a surprisingly modern DJ and upbeat playlist as the night goes on. Early in the evening you’ll find a pre-theatre crowd, plus hotel guests and post-business meeting groups. Lounge on the comfy sofas and padded chairs with low tables. Take your pick from the complex signature cocktails on the menu with long ingredients lists, or the expert bar staff can make you the classics. A simple gin sour has been upgraded to the complex Seasonal Sour with an impressive nine ingredients, including port, pisco and sloe gin, topped with a pale vanilla foam. For a long drink, try the Good Fortune – a fruity blend of St Germain, grapefruit juice, sparkling wine and more. We were also tempted by the Croissantini, made with ‘croissant vodka’ – fans of a strong drink should give it a try. There’s also a selection of sustainable cocktails and alcohol-free options. It’s worth paying attention to the bar snacks on offer, too: there’s bumps of caviar and platters of oysters for ultimate decadence, but it was the plate of moreish sticky gochujang fried chicken topped with pickled ginger that we’d happily return to have a second time. Sweeties at The Standard, King’s Cross Step into the Standard hotel’s sleek red pill lift and zoom up to the 10th floor for this luxe bar that combines retro interiors with playful, off-beat cocktails and unrivalled views of King’s Cross and St Pancras. In keeping with its home, a restored 1970s Brutalist office block, Sweeties takes its cue from the same decade, with opulent interiors including velvet sofas, mirrored tables, gold accents, wood panelling and patterned carpets. The cocktail menu features ‘feel-good ingredients and mood-enhancing mixes’ designed to be energising and uplifting. We’re not sure if we felt these effects but regardless the drinks are very good. Pick Me Up – made with eight adaptogenic (ingredients that help the body deal with stress) mushrooms, vodka, rum, caramel and burnt butter drank like an elevated espresso martini, layered and earthy, with rounded depth. Roots Manuva – riesling vermouth, golden beet caramel, turmeric, ginseng, ginger, orange and mead – is vibrant, honeyed and fresh, with a vegetal edge. No Whey Jose, blanco tequila with strawberry, red rice, rose and a salted hot coconut foam, was the delightful cocktail equivalent of a Campino strawberry candy. Purple Rain – Johnny Walker whisky, amazake, salted plum, cherry bark and blossom wine – was like an extra fruity old fashioned, bursting with berry flavours, smoky and subtly savoury. Artesian at The Langham, Marylebone With its opulent surroundings – soaring ceilings, baroque chandeliers, a gilded bar and scalloped purple sofas – and equally illustrious heritage (it’s won multiple World’s Best Bar gongs), this decadent hotel bar, minutes from Oxford Circus, is a must visit. The menu on our last trip paid tribute to retro drinks, with sleek, minimalist takes on camp classics. A Woo Woo is a pleasingly silky, light affair, with peachy fruitiness and complexity from vermouth and Chivas Regal. The flirty, ditzy cosmopolitan is reimagined as a punchy short drink, with sultry earthy notes from Cynar, rounded fruitiness and a spicy kick thanks to rye whisky. The Zetter, Marylebone and Clerkenwell Both the bars at the branches of this London hotel are reminiscent of an eccentric Edwardian sitting room – cosy, luxurious drinking den with earthy red walls, richly patterned rugs on wooden floors, a profusion of gilt-framed pictures and portraits, velvet sofas, carved wooden chairs and oriental vases. Pilgrm Lounge, Paddington A quirky, design-led, 73-bedroom hotel with lounge-bar and café that’s brought a fine Victorian building in London’s Paddington back to life. This boutique hotel on a pretty Victorian terraced street in Paddington has a hidden secret at the top of its original mahogany staircase. A retro-chic lounge, scattered with coral and olive velvet chairs, and marble tables, is the perfect hideaway for pre-batched cocktails from top London bars such as Bar Termini and Three Sheets. Doors open onto a sun-soaked terrace, where you can sit beneath straw parasols and enjoy the bustle of Paddington from a distance. Fitz's at Kimpton Fitzroy, Russell Square Original stained glass windows, a glittering disco ball, scalloped velvet sofas and contemporary artwork bring together the old and new in this luxurious drinking den at the Kimpton Fitzroy London. Its latest menu, The Theory of Colour, is a high-concept affair that explores how colours can influence moods, emotions and choices. The bar has created 14 different cocktails inspired by a 17th-century still life flower painting by Flemish artist Nicolaes van Verendael. On the menu, each drink is matched with a different treatment of the artwork, and guests are invited to select their drink based on which image is most appealing. Chrome Yellow is a gorgeously bright and tropical affair. With clarified banana, Mount Gay XO rum, cognac, pimento bitters and a passion fruit float, it’s impressively balanced, delivering bold flavours while remaining light and silky. On the more sultry end of the spectrum, Rothko’s Abyss features Toki whisky, Mancino rosso amaranto vermouth, coffee beans, vanilla and Campari. Intense and full-bodied, it’s perfect for fans of boulevardiers and negronis.
Velvety, nutty and low-ABV, this sherry flip makes an excellent alternative to eggnog during the festive season
Try our sherry flip, then discover our sherry sour, Tiojito sherry cocktail and frozen sherry cobbler cocktail. Also, try more Christmas cocktails. Sherry flip cocktail
10 cocktails for a Christmas drinks party
From Friendsmas and family gatherings to Christmas Day fizz and New Year's Eve cocktails – check out our guide to the best festive party drinks and which snacks to serve alongside
Our Christmas drinks party guide has everything you need for a next-level celebration, including twists on classic drinks (hello, Christmas spritz), sharing cocktails and plenty of festive fizz. Alongside this we've also got plenty of snack and canapé ideas for you to try. If you're short on time it's easy to give even simple drinks a festive makeover by using the right garnishes – we love using citrus wheels, whole spices such as cinnamon sticks and star anise and seasonal fruits like cranberries and pomegranates. For extra visual Christmassy appeal, try garnishing drinks with rosemary or mint dusted with icing sugar. For more festive cocktail inspiration explore our collection of 62 Christmas cocktails, 38 winter cocktails and our favourite Christmas mocktails, plus, check out the best Christmas canapé recipes. Best Christmas party cocktails Aperol spritz punch Punches are perfect for parties and this crowd-pleasing recipe uses all the components of a classic Aperol spritz plus other festive ingredients like cranberry, ginger and pomegranate. Serve alongside Italian-inspired nibbles like crostini, tarrallini and green olives. Christmas spiced negroni A negroni lends itself well to a festive makeover as all its component parts – gin, Campari and sweet vermouth – are bold enough to take extra flavourings. The homemade spiced gin in this recipe makes 500ml, so if you also scale up the Campari and sweet vermouth you can save on time and make up a big batch to serve at parties. Serve with our mozzarella sticks with spicy dipping sauce or chunks of good-quality parmesan. Paloma champagne cocktails It turns out herbaceous tequila, biscuity champagne and tart grapefruit are a match made in heaven in this easy fizzy aperitif – serve with our spicy jalapeño poppers or roasted chilli corn. Christmas mojito A summery mojito gets a Christmas makeover thanks to the addition of cranberry juice, which nicely complements the fragrant mint in the drink. The ingredients are easy to scale up so it's ideal for serving in jugs at a festive gathering. Sip alongside our sweet potato and cranberry fritters. Christmas spritz A spritz is a classic summer cocktail but a few simple tweaks can turn it into a delicious Christmas aperitif. We swapped the usual sparkling water for warming ginger beer, and added lots of seasonal garnishes like pomegranate, orange and whole spices. Swap the Aperol for Campari if you'd like a spritz with a more bittersweet character. Match these punchy flavours with equally vibrant snacks, like our deep-fried olives stuffed with ricotta and guindilla chillies. Sloe gin fizz This is where that batch of sloe gin you've had infusing away in the cupboard will come in handy (or shop-bought also works beautifully). The rich berry flavours and tart-sweet character of sloe gin balance perfectly with the lemon in this super quaffable cocktail. For an extra decadent twist, try swapping the sparkling water for dry sparkling wine or champagne – it is Christmas, after all. Serve with our fig and goat's cheese puffs. Cranberry and ginger fizz Cranberry and ginger are classic festive flavours and work well in this gently tart, pretty pink cocktail. A winner with our turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs. Christmas gin cocktail Campari adds festive colour to this supercharged gin sour cocktail – make sure you garnish with cocktail cherries for extra kitsch factor. Our tangy pickled beetroot mini tacos with goat's cheese would be a great snack pairing. Poinsettia If you’re bored of buck’s fizz, try serving this rosy-red fizzy cocktail – it’s just as easy to make and great for groups. Just as straightforward are our classic cheese straws featuring four ingredients. Mulled port with bay and rosemary If you can mull wine then port is the natural next choice – there's always lots of the stuff around at Christmas and this recipe is a great way to use it all up. It also works well cooled then served chilled with tonic water or lemonade. Try with these maple-glazed sausage blinis.
Indulge at home this winter with our Christmas cocktails. Try twists on mulled wine, spiced negronis, warming chai cocktails and plenty of festive fizz
Looking for Christmas cocktails? Make your festive evenings extra special with our easy Christmas cocktail ideas including festive martini recipes, mulled wine and Christmas gin cocktails. Next, try our prosecco cocktails and champagne cocktails. Whether it's breakfast fizz for Christmas Day, party cocktails for New Year's Eve or warming mulled drinks for frosty winter walks, our collection of Christmas cocktails has everything you need for a jolly festive season. Find recipes for classic festive drinks including eggnog and glühwein, plus lots of fun ideas to try out, including vibrant Aperol spritz punch, zingy paloma champagne cocktails, kitsch white Christmas coladas and a dessert-worthy tiramisu martini. For more quick and easy festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas and our Christmas mash-up recipes. Best Christmas cocktails recipes The olive festive cocktail The ultimate Christmas cocktail from the olive magazine team. Make this easy spiced cocktail recipe with tequila and elderflower for a festive drink to serve friends and family over the Christmas season. Look for vintage bottles and add a pretty ribbon and label to complete the look. Click here for more exciting edible Christmas gifts... Sloe gin fizz Although you can buy shop-bought (see our picks of the best sloe gin to buy), you could make your own sloe gin in this festive twist on a classic gin fizz. Aperol spritz punch Aperol spritz isn’t just for summer – this festive punch version adds cranberry juice and ginger ale, then gets dressed up with pomegranate, rosemary, star anise and cinnamon. Ready in five minutes, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser for up to eight. Sherry flip Velvety, nutty and low-ABV, this sherry flip is a clever alternative to eggnog for the festive season. Smooth and sippable, it keeps the celebrations bright without overdoing it. Christmas spiced negroni Take your favourite cocktail and give it a festive makeover with homemade spiced gin. Why not make our negroni salmon recipe for a Christmas party too? Paloma champagne cocktail Start Christmas morning on a bright note with these zesty paloma cocktails. Just five ingredients, including a dose of fizz and tequila, guarantee everyone’s in a merry mood. Hot buttered rum Treat yourself this Christmas to a hot buttered rum, mixing golden rum with soft light brown sugar, unsalted butter and festive spices. See more easy rum cocktails. Sherry whisky sour A Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail, the cream sherry adds extra festive flavours to the drink. White Christmas colada Bring some festive cheer with a white Christmas colada – a creamy coconut cocktail with a sugared rim, a hit of fresh lime and a garnish of redcurrants or rosemary. A tropical twist made for winter celebrations. Christmas mojito Jazz up this minty cocktail with festive flavours – rum is mixed with cranberry juice and soda, then garnished with mint leaves and pomegranate seeds. Flying grasshopper cocktail Toast the Christmas season in style with this minty green cocktail. The addition of vodka helps balance the sweetness perfectly. Christmas spritz Mix Aperol, sparkling wine and bitters with ginger beer and garnish with orange, star anise and pomegranate seeds to make this festive spritz. Cranberry and ginger fizz Cranberry juice creates a pretty pink hue and brings a hint of tartness to this mocktail. See more of our best cranberry recipes. Mulled old fashioned Make this mulled old fashioned for a festive twist on a classic cocktail, featuring a homemade syrup infused with cinnamon, orange and cloves. Gingerbread old fashioned A spicy spin on the classic whisky cocktail. Discover more whisky cocktail recipes. PX espresso martini Swap traditional coffee liqueur for festive pedro ximénez sherry in this classic cocktail – it adds lovely notes of raisins. If you love an espresso martini, try our espresso martini cheesecake for a showstopping dessert. Clementine and amaretto sour This lower-alcohol sour has a fresh, citrussy pep thanks to the clementine juice. Try more seasonal clementine recipes. Revolver cocktail Elevate your festive tipple! Beyond the espresso martini, indulge in a caffeinated Christmas sipper with this unique twist on a Manhattan. Grasshopper cocktail Mint chocolate fans, this one’s for you: check out this retro dessert cocktail made of crème de menthe, white crème de cacao and single cream. Christmas gin cocktail Giving this drink a proper shake in your cocktail shaker will ensure a lovely, creamy layer of egg white on top of this festive tipple. Christmas godfather This is a festive spin on a retro 70s drink that makes an ideal dessert cocktail for Christmas. Kir royale This classic celebratory cocktail uses just three ingredients, making it a brilliant drink to make if you’re running short of time. Celebrate with more champagne cocktail recipes. Cranberry gimlet Try this easy three-ingredient spin on a gimlet – it's made with cranberries for subtle sharpness and a vivid pink colour. Sloe sazerac A seriously punchy whisky cocktail perfect for slow sipping during the winter months. A splash of sloe gin adds a festive twit to this classic. Baileys cocktail Baileys and Christmas go hand in hand, so why not give this creamy vodka-based cocktail a go for your next festive drinks party? Use up the rest of your bottle with more of our Baileys recipes, from hot chocolate to cupcakes and brownies. Tiramisu martini Feeling too stuffed for dessert after a big dinner? Enter the pudding cocktail: sweet, creamy and boozy, it’s the perfect end to a meal. Here we’ve used the flavours of a classic Italian dessert to make a decadent treat. Glühwein The addition of rum to this Christmas market classic works really well – we've added some here to compensate for the evaporation of alcohol during cooking, but it’s not essential, if you prefer your drinks a little less punchy. Eggnog Put a rosy glow in your cheeks with this classic winter cocktail, made with egg yolks, sugar, cream, sherry, rum and plenty of fresh nutmeg. Try our eggnog latte for something extra cosy. Gingerbread espresso martini cocktail Shake up your winter drinks party in more ways than one with this gingerbread and espresso martini cocktail. Velvety smooth coffee and festive spice syrup make this the perfect after-dinner warmer. Check out our best ever Christmas dessert recipes to indulge in this Christmas... Spiced sidecar A warming, cold-weather cocktail made using homemade spiced brandy. Omit the spices for a classic sidecar cocktail, or try using bourbon if you can’t find cognac. Christmas mocktail orange and rosemary fizz If you love starting Christmas Day with a Buck's Fizz, but fancy something non alcoholic this year, try this orange and rosemary fizz. The cinnamon and pomegranate makes it taste like Christmas in a glass. Looking for Christmas day recipes? Check out our must make trimmings recipes here... Black russian Make this classic dark cocktail with vodka and coffee liqueur. Serve in an old fashioned glass with ice for an elegant after-dinner drink, or try our festive twist. Easy dirty gin martini cocktail This easy Christmas cocktail makes the perfect gift to bring to a festive party – keep chilled in the fridge for emergencies. We've got over 20 martini recipes to try... Poinsettia cocktail If you’re bored of buck’s fizz, try serving this rosy red cocktail at your next festive brunch or party – it’s easy to make and great for groups. Rum negroni Rum makes this drink a little gentler than a classic gin negroni. Decant into a hip flask for sipping on wintry walks Spanish bloody mary Swapping vodka for amontillado sherry makes a lower-ABV, super-savoury take on this brunch classic. Garnish with a gilda – a classic pinto snack. Sherry sour Want a simple Christmas cocktail recipe to serve over the festive season? Impress friends and family with our easy-drinking sherry sour. More cocktail recipes here. Campfire cocktail Cosy up by the fire and make this campfire cocktail recipe with bourbon and marshmallows for a warming drink over the festive season. It comes from the brilliant team at whisky bar Black Rock just off Finsbury Square, London EC2 and is topped with a toasted marshmallow. We’re sold. Check out other Bonfire Night-inspired cocktails... Chilled, mulled elderflower wine Want a change to mulled wine at your Christmas drinks party? Try a frosty twist on a classic with this chilled, mulled elderflower wine. Sweet vanilla pods, cloudy apple juice and elderflower cordial simmer with fresh lemon juice for a festive infusion. Chai white russian Ramp up the festive spirit in a classic white Russian with the warming spices of chai. This coffee cocktail is the perfect Christmas drink. French 75 Jazz up your Christmas morning with this classic champagne cocktail. It's simple to make but looks stunning, perfect for the party season. Check out more of our champagne cocktail recipes here. Marmalade and mandarin mojito Marmalade mojitos make a deliciously jammy cocktail, made to look really delicious with mandarin slices and star anise. Try this five-minute cocktail recipe for an easy refresher at Christmas. Negroni sbagliato Our negroni sbagliato makes a great festive fizz. Swapping gin for prosecco makes for a lighter negroni and softens the bitterness. This is an ideal aperitif over the festive season for those who find a classic negroni a bit much. Winter-spiced pear cocktail This light and spicy cocktail is a delicate early-evening treat. It's warm, silky and the pear syrup has intense in flavour. If you're hosting a Christmas drinks party, these will get your guests right into the festive spirit. White sparkle A great sparkling Christmas party cocktail. After you have decorated the Champagne flutes, chill them by putting in the freezer for a short while or filling with ice for a few minutes. Christmas cake martini All the flavours of a traditional Christmas cake in liquid form. This is bound to impress your guests over the festive season. Click the link for all of our Christmas baking recipes to pair it with. Aperol mimosa This mimosa is fizzy, fruity and has a slight bitter note. It's a great alternative to Buck's Fizz, it's made using only three ingredients and would make a great drink to see the year out with. Check out our best ever Christmass breakfast recipes to have alongside your morning mimosa here. Sake martini Swap vermouth for sake in this Japanese-inspired take on the classic cocktail – perfect for a New Year's Eve soirée. Rhubarb and ginger negroni This update on the classic negroni using rhubarb and ginger is a great shout for Christmas time. It comes from Black Dice, a 1960s rock 'n' roll inspired bar tucked away beneath Moroccan restaurant MOMO in Mayfair. Christmas porter flip We've revived and updated a classic dating back to the 17th century with our recipe for a chocolate porter flip. Serve this hot or cold for an easy festive drink. Check out our indulgent chocolate recipes here... Pom-Pimms fizz Looking for a festive cocktail recipe to kick things off this Christmas? You'll need frothy egg white, sugar, chilled pomegranate juice, Pimms, lemons and ginger beer for this beauty. Mulled beer What’s more warming on a winter’s day than the glow of an English pub? Recreate that feeling, and better it, by brewing up this mulled beer recipe with cinnamon, cloves and clementine for an easy Christmas drink. Ginger margarita This twist on a classic margarita is the perfect thing to serve at a festive drinks party. The recipe comes from Spice Market, a South-east Asian restaurant in the W Hotel, Leicester Square, that serves stylish interpretations of street food. Mulled cider Cosy up with this soul-warming winter cocktail, perfect after a crisp winter walk over the festive period. The addition of dark rum, brown sugar and cinnamon sticks provide sweet depth to this warm spiced cocktail. Blood orange Campari cocktails Bitter Campari and sweet blood orange combine in festive harmony to make this refreshing aperitif. Campari usually lends its beautiful red colour to the devilishly potent negroni, this lighter cocktail is perfect for those needing a calmer night amidst the busy social season. Pear-drop bellinis Like pear drop sweets? Then you'll love this fun way to serve fizz. Great for Christmas time, all it involves is eight pear drops and a bottle of Cava. Simple! Ron de replay Want an easy yet impressive cocktail recipe? This cocktail will be sure to impressive festive guests over the winter season, we use Ron Zacapa rum from Guatemala to heat things up a bit. White Russian cocktails Round off a Christmas dinner party huddled round the fire with these indulgent cocktails. The perfect sweet finale when you’re too full for a pud. Check out our best ever dinner party mains here. Elit Christmas Want a really beautiful split-coloured Champagne cocktail? Check out this festive drink invented by the legendary Salvatore Calabrese. If you can’t find the fraise de bois you could use another liqueur such as crème de cassis. Bitter orange and cardamom martinis Want an inventive martini recipe? Martinis are one of our favourite mixed alcoholic drinks. We've added marmalade and lemon juice to this cocktail recipe for an extra kick to your festive cocktails. Clementine fizz Can’t wait until sundown for a cocktail? Start your Christmas morning right with our clementine fizz. It’s ready in just 10 minutes, more time-efficient than a bowl of porridge! Sherry whisky sour Enjoy a Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail. The cream sherry adds extra festive flavours - perfect for a Christmas party or gathering with friends. How to use forgotten bottles from the drinks cupboard over Christmas Baileys white Russian cocktail recipe Mix 3 tbsp Baileys, 1 tbsp Kahlúa and 2 tbsp vodka with 4 tbsp whole milk, then serve over ice in a short glass. Cherry sling cocktail recipe Pour 2 tbsp gin, 1 tbsp cherry brandy and ½ tbsp lemon juice over ice in a tall glass. Finish with soda and a maraschino cherry. Sancho panza cocktail recipe Stir 3 tbsp cream sherry, 1½ tbsp Campari and a dash of Angostura bitters in a short glass with ice.
From using native botanicals to being inspired by local history, explore the vibrant best British gins that celebrate a sense of place
The gin boom in recent years has seen gin distilleries spring up the length and breadth of the British Isles, and it's likely that wherever you go in the UK you'll discover a locally made gin, often using botanicals and ingredients from the surrounding area, whether that's wheat grown on Salisbury plain, Yorkshire gooseberries or foraged sea vegetables in Suffolk. Here are some of the best gins that make the most of where they come from. Want to discover more unique gins? Try our favourite Scottish gins, Welsh gins and flavoured gins, or travel the world from your home with our unusual international gins. Looking to really impress fellow gin lovers? Bring the bar to your home with our best drinks trolley ideas, and buy from one of our favourite online bottle shops. Best UK gins to buy at a glance Ludlow: Pink Ludlow gin, £42.91 The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Distillery No.2 wildflower gin, £38.50 Northumberland: Hepple Gin, £39.99 Ayrshire: Hendrick's Flora Adora gin, £34.12 Norfolk: Bullards Coastal gin, £45 Suffolk: Fishers gin, £40 Yorkshire: Slingsby gooseberry gin, £32.99 Northamptonshire: Warner's London dry gin, £31 Lanarkshire: Biggar gin, £38.81 Devon: Salcombe Start Point London dry gin, £41.99 Wiltshire: Ramsbury lemon balm gin, £36 Cornwall: Tarquin's gin, £38.50, Aureus Vita gin, £175 Cambridge: Cambridge Distillery Three Seasons gin, £90 The Cairngorms: Caorunn gin, £31.50 Thurso: Rock Rose Scottish gin, £33.39 Surrey: Silent Pool gin, £40.13, Magna Carta gin, £40, Brockman's Intensely Smooth, £36 Wales: Aber Falls small batch gin, £28.93 London: Sipsmith chilli and lime gin, £30 Swansea: Cygnet 77, £130 Northern Ireland: Boatyard Double gin, £39.58 Best UK gins to buy 2025 Ludlow: Pink Ludlow gin Available from Master of Malt (£42.91) A rich and complex pink gin, with floral notes from hibiscus, warmth from pink peppercorns and zesty orange notes to round everything off. Flavour profile: citrus Botanicals: Juniper, coriander, orange, angelica, orris, hibiscus, pink peppercorn Perfect pairing: Try in a contessa with equal parts gin, dry vermouth and Aperol. Available from: Master of Malt (£42.91) The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Distillery No.2 wildflower gin Available from Cotswolds Distillery (£38.50) Inspired by the grasslands of the Cotswolds, this golden gin is headily floral and herbaceous, with lemony notes from lemon balm and assertive bitterness from gentian. Flavour profile: floral Botanicals: lemon balm, elderflower, chamomile, gentian, juniper, coriander and angelica Perfect pairing: its assertive botanical notes would work well in a negroni Available from: Cotswolds Distillery (£38.50) Northumberland: Hepple gin Available from Master of Malt (£39.99) Made on the Northumbrian moors using its own home-grown juniper alongside botanicals of Douglas fir, lovage, bog myrtle and blackcurrant, this is a fresh and vibrant gin that sings with bold juniper and citrus flavours. Flavour profile: juniper-forward Botanicals: green juniper, Macedonian juniper, Douglas fir, lovage, bog myrtle, blackcurrant leaves, blackcurrants, Amalfi lemon, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, orris, liquorice and angelica Perfect pairing: its heady juniper notes work brilliantly in a dry martini Available from: Master of Malt (£39.99) Ayrshire: Hendrick's Flora Adora gin Available from Master of Malt (£34.12) This gin was inspired by the flowers favoured by pollinating bees and butterflies in the garden at Hendrick's Gin Palace in Ayrshire. As the name suggests, this is a turbo-charged floral bomb of a gin, with very intense perfumed rose and lavender aromas. On the palate, more juniper and grassiness comes through, as well as lemon and cucumber. Flavour profile: Floral Botanicals: Flora Adora uses Hendrick's house gin as its base with botanicals including cucumber and rose, as well as a secret blend of other floral ingredients. Perfect pairing: Try in a white lady cocktail with lemon juice, triple sec and egg white Available from: Master of Malt (£34.12) undefined Norfolk: Bullards Coastal gin Available from Bullards (£45) Inspired by the Norfolk coastline, this is the gin equivalent to a fresh sea breeze, with a subtle salty, savoury profile and complex notes of sea vegetables, citrus and fennel. We were also impressed with their eco-friendly refill service, which offers 700ml pouches of gin to top bottles back up (and you can post the pouch back to Bullards free of charge for recycling). Flavour profile: herbaceous Botanicals: juniper, sea purslane, marsh samphire, sea aster, Douglas fir Perfect pairing: Try in a dirty martini, with a couple of raw oysters alongside. Available from: Bullards (£45) undefined Suffolk: Fishers gin Available from Fishers (£40) This unusual gin features a host of rare botanicals foraged on the Suffolk coast. Herbaceous and subtly saline on the nose (we were reminded of sea vegetables), it’s slightly sweeter to taste, with aromatic cardamom notes. Flavour profile: herbaceous Botanicals: spignel, rock samphire, wood avens and bog myrtle Perfect pairing: try it in a dirty martini Available from: Fishers Gin (£40) Yorkshire: Slingsby gooseberry gin Available from Ocado (£30.55) Slingsby’s rhubarb gin was a hit at olive HQ and now the Yorkshire distillery has released another tart and zesty winner. Here, tangily fruity gooseberries (also sourced in Yorkshire) marry perfectly with the citrussy notes of the base gin. Flavour profile: citrus Botanicals: severn sea rosemary, silver posie thyme, green and jasmine tea, citrus thyme, garden thyme, rhubarb, sage, lovage, chervil, nettle, sweet cicely, rose hip, angelica, cassia, orris root, coriander, liquorice, grapefruit and juniper Perfect pairing: the gin’s creamy mouthfeel means it would be lovely sipped neat with ice, or try topping up with some sparkling white wine for a spring-like spritz. Available from: Ocado (£30.55) Northamptonshire: Warner's London dry gin Available from Tesco (£31) A rich and full-bodied London dry gin made using lemon verbena, lavender and angelica root grown on the distillery's own farm, as well as discarded lemon peel from a local fruit factory. It's vibrant with bold juniper and zesty flavours, with a subtly spicy edge. Flavour profile: Juniper and citrus Botanicals: Lemon verbena, angelica root, lavender, lemon peel, coriander, elderflower, cinnamon, almond, nutmeg, juniper Perfect pairing: tonic and a wedge of orange undefined Lanarkshire: Biggar gin Available from Master of Malt (£38.63) This award-winning small-batch gin uses botanicals local to the Scottish town of Biggar, where it’s made. As to be expected from a London dry gin it’s got plenty of juniper character, as well as vibrant orange notes, subtle herbaceousness and spice, and a restrained sweetness. It’s also super smooth to drink, with a lingering finish. Flavour profile: juniper Botanicals: rowan berry, rosehip, nettle, pink peppercorns, coriander seed, cardamom pods, lavender cassia bark, orris root Perfect pairing: tonic and a few pink peppercorns Available from: Master of Malt (£38.63) Devon: Salcombe Start Point London dry gin Available from Master of Malt (£41,99) The Start Point lighthouse in Salcombe marked the beginning of the voyages of the 19th-century fruit schooners that carried exotic goods from the Azores and Mediterranean to the UK. This produce inspired this super-smooth London dry gin's flavour. Though earthy juniper is dominant, it’s followed by bright, zingy citrus – as well as a subtle, warming spice. Flavour profile: juniper Botanicals: juniper, coriander seed, ruby grapefruit, lemon, lime, cubeb Perfect pairing: slice of red grapefruit Available from: Master of Malt (£41.99) Wiltshire: Ramsbury lemon balm gin Available from Ramsbury (£36) This fresh, summery gin is made using wheat grown on the distillery’s own Wiltshire estate, as well as lemon balm picked from its garden. It delivers masses of herbaceous lemon notes that match really well with the aromatic juniper in the spirit. Flavour profile: citrus Botanicals: juniper and lemon balm Perfect pairing: drink in a G&T with lemon tonic water and a wedge of citrus Available from: Ramsbury (£36) Cornwall: Aureus Vita gin Available from Master of Malt (£175), Fortnum & Mason (£169) Made using an innovative distillation method just once a year in autumn (when the gin’s key botanicals have been freshly harvested and are at their peak), this striking gin is full-bodied, with luscious, velvety texture and good balance, despite the hefty ABV. It's full of peppery, piney juniper notes, and would be a very special gin for martinis. Flavour profile: juniper-forward Botanicals: juniper and baobab pulp Perfect pairing: use for a next-level martini Available from: Master of Malt (£175) Fortnum & Mason (£169) Cornwall: Tarquin's gin Available from Waitrose Cellar (£38.50) Featuring 12 botanicals sourced across the globe as well as locally along the Cornish coast, this is a well-balanced gin with all the classic botanicals coming through on both the nose and the palate. The juniper is prevalent (as it should be) but a strong lemony coriander reminds us of a deep pine forest on a hot summer stroll – earthy notes and warm orange blossom faintly joining in. Floral notes from Devon violets only come through after a couple of sips, but are balanced by the amount of citrusy and rooty/earthy botanicals mingling around. Flavour profile: citrus Botanicals: juniper, coriander seeds, orange, lemon, grapefruit, angelica root, orris root, green cardamom seeds, bitter almond, cinnamon, liquorice root, violets Perfect pairing: twist of grapefruit peel Available from: Waitrose Cellar (£38.50) Cambridge: Cambridge Distillery Three Seasons gin Available from Laithwaites (£90) We've come to expect great things from the Cambridge Distillery and their latest release doesn't disappoint. Designed to evoke the changing seasons of an English country garden, this is a botanical powerhouse of a gin. Featuring local and seasonal ingredients of lemon verbena, blackcurrant leaf and rose, it's fresh yet richly floral, with herbaceous citrus notes, hints of dark fruits and a complex, evocative finish. Yes, it's priced on the steep side, but with a beautiful bottle it would make a special gift for a gin lover. The more budget conscious should try their excellent Cambridge Dry Gin, at £39.99. Flavour profile: floral and citrus Botanicals: Lemon verbena, rose, blackcurrant leaf Perfect pairing: we think this richly complex gin would shine in a dry martini. Available from: Laithwaites (£90) The Cairngorms: Caorunn gin Available from Waitrose Cellar (£31), Tesco (£30.50) Distilled and bottled in Scotland, Caorunn firmly takes on the mantle of a national product. The distillery is situated in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, at the foot of the Haughs of Cromdale. It's inspired by the landscape that surrounded them – Simon Buley (one of the distillers) wanted to use the ancient skills and recipes of spirit-making, using age-old Celtic botanicals that grow on the surrounding hills of Balmenach Distillery. Drunk on its own, the gin is crisp, dry and well-balanced yet still full-bodied. The botanicals jump out in the palate with spices, citrus and floral notes all working well to compliment a dry juniper note that leaves you with a crisp, clean finish. Flavour profile: floral Botanicals: juniper, coriander, lemon peel, orange peel, angelica root, cassia bark, rowan berry, heather, dandelion, coul blush apple Perfect pairing: tonic and thin wedge of red apple Available from: Waitrose Cellar (£31) Tesco (£30.50) Thurso: Rock Rose Scottish gin Latest Prices Proving the British craft distilling movement has gone all the way to the northern tip of Scotland, Rock Rose harnesses its regionality in its gin, using local and regional botanicals such sea buckthorn and rhodiola rosea for a bright gin packed with fruity berries and a delicate astringency. Flavour profile: floral Botanicals: juniper, rose root, sea buckthorn, rowan berries, bilberries, cardamom, coriander seed, verbena Perfect pairing: tonic and a sprig of rosemary undefined Surrey: Silent Pool gin Latest Prices A clean juniper-driven spirit that uses an impressive 24 botanicals and fresh spring water from the Albury Estate, where the gin is made. The end result has gentle citrus and perfumed floral notes that make it the perfect summer tipple. Flavour profile: floral Botanicals: juniper, chamomile, lavender, citrus, honey Perfect pairing: tonic and a twist of orange peel undefined Surrey: Magna Carta gin Available from Magna Carta (£40) Inspired by Runnymede's historic connections to the Magna Carta, this gin uses ingredients with medieval roots such as green peppercorn, citrus peel and hibiscus. Flavour profile: juniper led Botanicals: green peppercorn, lemon peel, orange peel, hibiscus, tonka bean Perfect pairing: tonic and twist of lemon peel Available from: Magna Carta (£40) Surrey: Brockman's gin Available from Sainsbury's (£36) This is a distinctively fruity gin with a super-sweet nose and masses of berry aromas and flavours, plus a pleasingly light and smooth character. Flavour profile: fruity Botanicals: blackberries, blueberries, juniper, lemon and orange peels, coriander, cassia bark, liquorice, angelica, almond and orris Perfect pairing: try in a clover club cocktail with dry vermouth, lemon, egg white and raspberry syrup with fresh raspberries to garnish Available from: Sainsbury's (£36) Wales: Aber Falls small batch gin Available from Waitrose Cellar (£27.30) Piney juniper and lavender are surprise best pals in this subtly floral number that showcases Welsh-inspired botanicals, with peppery notes adding to its complexity. One for those who prefer sweeter gins. Flavour profile: floral Botanicals: lavender, rowan berries, black pepper, juniper, angelica and liquorice Perfect pairing: tonic and a slice of cucumber Available from: Waitrose Cellar (£27.30) London: Sipsmith chilli & lime gin Available from Sainsbury's (£30) An intriguing release from craft gin pioneers Sipsmith, seven different chillies from around the world are used to make this unusual gin. It’s a much more subtle spirit than you’d expect, with earthy, warming spice, bright citrus and delicate tingling heat. Flavour profile: citrus Botanicals: Sipsmith’s chilli blend includes scotch bonnet, cascabel pepper and Carolina reaper, as well as lime peel, juniper and yuzu peel Perfect pairing: try in a gin-based picante cocktail with chilli and coriander Available from: Sainsbury's (£30) Swansea: Cygnet 77 Available from Harrods (£130) A luxurious, blow-out Welsh sipping gin that has been aged in Welsh whisky casks for more than a year and flavoured with manuka honey. This gives it lush depth, with rich juniper, subtle woodiness and herbaceous flavour. Flavour profile: herbaceous and floral Botanicals: juniper, coriander, almond, angelica root, orris root, cardamom, lime peel, liquorice, orange peel, chamomile flower, lemon peel, pink grapefruit, manuka honey, bee pollen, calendula, hibiscus, heather, rose petals, peppercorn, sea salt, lemon balm and cassia bark Perfect pairing: it’s designed for sipping neat, or try in an extra-decadent martini Available from: Harrods (£130) Northern Ireland: Boatyard Double gin Available from Master of Malt (£35.99) You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but this smooth, juniper- led gin lives up to its classy label. It also has a hint of floral sweetness thanks to the wild sweet gale that’s foraged from Boatyard’s farm in Fermanagh. Flavour profile: juniper led Botanicals: juniper, sweet gale, grains of paradise, angelica, lemon, orris, liquorice root, coriander Perfect pairing: tonic and a twist of orange peel and juniper berries Available from: Master of Malt (£35.99) undefined Related gin reviews Best gins to try – our favourite bottles Best gin subscriptions and clubs Best American gins to try Best gifts for gin lovers Best savoury gins Best international gins Best citrus gins Best pink gins to try Best flavoured gins to try Best Welsh gins The best UK gin experiences
19 best vodkas to buy, tried and tested 2025
Drinks expert Hannah Guinness has tested the best vodka to buy so you'll be ready to make a whole range of classic cocktails at home
Looking for the best vodka to try? Read our guide then check out our vodka cocktail recipes, then check out our alternative spirits and best sustainable spirits to try. This clear spirit is an essential ingredient for any drinks cupboard. Vodka has always been celebrated for its versatility as a cocktail ingredient, and in recent years the launches of new artisan brands have meant that it’s also seen as a premium spirit that can be sipped and savoured. In places such as Russia and Poland, it’s a spirit usually drunk neat, ice-cold and in shots, and with two things – company, and food (especially pickles and salty snacks). It’s vodka’s versatility as a drinks base, however, that saw it soar in popularity in countries including the US in the 20th century, with vodka cocktails such as the moscow mule and cosmopolitan ensuring that sales boomed. Recent years have seen vodka’s crown slip a little, with sales dented by the boom in ‘craft’ spirits, especially gin (interestingly, gin is effectively made from vodka, with extra flavourings added). This status quo is shifting, however, with the emergence of new vodkas that champion their raw ingredients and position themselves as premium artisan products. Because while it’s popularly seen as a ‘flavourless’ spirit, the best expressions will have subtle differences – potato vodkas will have a creamier texture, while a rye-based spirit can have nutty notes. This can be especially appreciated in classic, spirit-forward cocktails such as a vodka martini. The UK has witnessed its own mini-boom in premium English vodkas, made with anything from potato and grains (the traditional base ingredients for vodka) to grapes and even milk. Here are a few of our favourite vodkas to buy from the UK and beyond. 19 best vodkas to buy at a glance Best herbal vodka: Colwith Distillery Aval Dor Cornish Rosemary and Bay Vodka, £39.25 Best vodka for gifting: Sapling vodka, £31.25 Best floral vodka: Jo Vodka 103 – The Artist, £49.99 Best full-bodied vodka: Discarded Grape Skin Chardonnay Vodka, £27.95 Best citrus vodka: Wildjac Homegrown Distillery Fresh Citrus Vodka, £30 Best Scottish vodka: Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka, £34.25 Best potato vodka: Chase Original Potato Vodka, £35.93 Best unusual vodka: BlackLion Vodka, £55 Best vodka for a martini: Cove Vodka, £41.95 Best single origin vodka: Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka, £31.99 Best sustainable vodka: Black Cow vodka, £30.50 Best premium vodka: Edwards 1902 vodka, £39 Best Finnish vodka: Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action, £26.95 Best Ukrainian vodka: Dima's Vodka, £35.53 Best barley vodka: Witchmark Single Origin English Vodka, £43 Best Swedish vodka: Virtuous Vodka Organic Rye, £35.99 Best wheat vodka: 58 & Co Triple Distilled Vodka, £36 Best value vodka: Helix 7 Vodka, £25.75 Best sipping vodka: Golden Egg Vodka, £34.50 19 best vodkas to buy 2025 Colwith Distillery Aval Dor Cornish Rosemary and Bay Vodka Available from The Whisky Exchange (£39.25) Best herbal vodka Colwith Farm Distillery have married their creamy potato vodka with botanicals of rosemary, bay and black pepper for a super-charged spirit brimming with savoury herbaceous character. It's so flavourful that a little goes a long way – it's delicious in a reverse martini, made with two parts dry vermouth to one part vodka. undefined Sapling Vodka Available from Waitrose (£32.50), Master of Malt (£32), Ocado (£32.55), The Whisky Exchange (£31.25) Best vodka for gifting There’s a wonderful story behind Sapling – billed as the world’s first climate-positive vodka: for every bottle sold a tree is planted to offset carbon output (a unique code on each bottle will tell you what tree was planted where). This is happening in forestry initiatives across the country and beyond, from fruit trees in London and oak trees in Bristol to community planting projects in Morocco. But how does the actual vodka taste? Made exclusively from British wheat, it’s pleasingly soft and smooth while still being crisp, with a touch of subtle herbaceous and citrus perkiness. It’s an accessible, easy-drinking vodka that would lend itself well to most cocktails, or we think it would be delicious with tonic, ice and a fruit or herb garnish. Available from: Waitrose (£32.50) Master of Malt (£32) Ocado (£32.55) The Whisky Exchange (£31.25) Jo Vodka 103 – The Artist Available from Jo Vodka (£49.99) Best floral vodka British perfumer Ms Jo Malone CBE has created her own range of characterful vodkas. This expression has fresh, delicate floral tones and a hint of peppery warmth. Try mixing with tonic or soda water. Available from: Jo Vodka (£49.99) Discarded Grape Skin Chardonnay Vodka Available from The Whisky Exchange (£27.95) Best full-bodied vodka A typically innovative release from this zero-waste spirit brand, grape pomace (crushed skins, stems and seeds left-over from winemaking) is distilled to make a spirit and blended with the flavourful alcohol produced from making alcohol-free wine. The resulting vodka is one of the most full-bodied we’ve tried, with a complex, lasting finish. With fruity notes of apple, pear and guava, it’s delicious sipped neat over ice, or try in a simple highball with tonic or sparkling water. Latest Deals Wildjac Homegrown Distillery Fresh Citrus Vodka Available from Master of Malt (£30) Best citrus vodka This English vodka, distilled with Worcestershire Endeavour hops and lemon thyme, is worth buying for the aroma alone. Bright and sunny with overwhelming tangerine and grapefruit notes, it’s as bold as perfume and would be the perfect spirit choice on a summer’s day. A blend of 12 homegrown and locally foraged botanicals (including elderflower, pink grapefruit, eucalyptus and bergamot) makes Fresh Citrus Vodka, which is batch-distilled at Wildjac’s eco-distillery in Worcestershire’s Wyre Forest. To taste, it’s all lemon peel, lime and orange, with a subtle, sherbet-like sweetness. Intense on its own, it would be best tempered with ice or tonic water. Available from: Master of Malt (£30) Eight Lands Organic Speyside Vodka Available from Master of Malt (£34.25), The Whisky Exchange (£34.25) Best Scottish vodka Speyside in Scotland is a region best known for its fruity, mellow whiskies, but it turns out it's also home to some noteworthy clear spirits, too. This elegant organic vodka, made from barley and grain, is distilled and bottled at the foot of Ben Rinnes. It’s clean, smooth and nuanced, with vanilla and toasted coconut notes, buttery sweetness, a touch of creaminess and a whisper of spice at the finish. Keep it simple and try in a highball with sparkling water to appreciate these delicate flavours. We also liked their Organic Speyside Gin – its vibrant citrus and pine aromas, and warming spice, would make a cracking martini. Available from: Master of Malt (£34.25) The Whisky Exchange (£34.25) undefined Chase Original Potato Vodka Available from Amazon (£35.93) Best potato vodka Voted the world’s best vodka at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2010, this acclaimed field-to-bottle potato vodka is made using spuds grown on the distillery’s family farm in Hertfordshire. It’s a classy, super-smooth affair with a creamy, slightly oily mouthfeel and peppery notes. A natural match for a vodka martini – try 60ml of vodka stirred in a cocktail shaker with 15ml of dry vermouth and ice. Strain into a frozen martini glass and garnish with lemon peel. You can play around with the ratio of vodka to vermouth, and we also think a dash of orange bitters is a nice touch. Available from: Amazon (£35.93) BlackLion Vodka Available from BlackLion (£55) Best unusual vodka BlackLion uses milk from rare crossbreed sheep on its Cotswolds family farm to make this distinctive vodka. Silky and rounded, with subtly creamy and caramel tones. Available from: BlackLion (£55) Cove Vodka Available from Cove (£41.95) Best vodka for a martini This English vodka is made using King Edwards potatoes grown on a family farm overlooking Hope Cove in Devon. Small-batch traditional copper pot distillation creates a super-smooth and soft vodka that captures the essence of the county, thanks to the use of Devon spring water and the salty sea air in which the potatoes are grown. Perfect for sipping or creating a truly English martini. Available from: Cove (£41.95) Ramsbury Single Estate Vodka Available from Waitrose Cellar (£31.50), Master of Malt (£31.99) Best single-origin vodka Made using Horatio wheat grown on the Ramsbury Estate in Wiltshire (each bottle can be traced back to a single field), this elegant vodka has appealing vanilla and subtle cocoa notes. We think it’d be a knockout in another iconic vodka cocktail – an espresso martini (try our classic recipe here). Do check out our review of Ramsbury’s equally delicious gin in our best British gins – it’s made with homegrown quince and locally picked juniper. Available from: Waitrose Cellar (£31.50) Master of Malt (£31.99) undefined Black Cow Vodka Available from Amazon (£26.99), Master of Malt (£30.50) Best sustainable vodka The past few years have seen drinks brands get creative when it comes to using waste and surplus produce, from gin made from surplus table grapes to a vermouth that uses the discarded fruit of the coffee cherry (both, incidentally, come highly recommended by olive). Dorset farmer Jason Barber uses milk from his herd of dairy cows to make this distinctive vodka. Or, to be specific, left-over whey from the cheesemaking process (the curds get turned into Jason’s award-winning cheddar). With distinct lactic notes, it has a lusciously silky texture and is soft and smooth enough to drink on its own at room temperature. It’s also a great-value vodka. Available from: Amazon (£26.99) Master of Malt (£30.50) undefined Edwards 1902 vodka Latest Deals Best premium vodka This premium vodka is made using King Edward potatoes (hence the name) grown in Lincolnshire just a few miles away from the distillery. Though a newish entrant to the British vodka scene, this potato vodka has already garnered a clutch of awards, and we can see why – it’s elegantly sweet and creamy, with appealing vanilla-scented custard notes. The company also makes a single-origin cold-brew coffee liqueur, which is all the excuse you need to make a white russian with milk or double cream. Latest Deals Koskenkorva Vodka Climate Action Available from The Whisky Exchange (£26.95), Master of Malt (£26.95) Best Finnish vodka This sustainably minded Finnish spirit is made used regeneratively farmed barley, which removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it in the ground, as well as having other beneficial environmental effects, such as improving biodiversity. The vodka itself is a delicate affair, smooth and sweet with grassy hints, vanilla and lemon notes. Latest Deals Dima's Vodka Available from Master of Malt (£35.53), Dima's Vodka (£35) Best Ukrainian vodka A Ukrainian vodka made with three different organic grains – barley, wheat and rye – this is a layered spirit with creamy vanilla and anise notes, nuttiness and a hint of spice. Subtly sweet, with a silky texture, sip neat and ultra chilled (try stashing the bottle in the freezer). A delicious match with pickles. Available from: Master of Malt (£35.53) Dima's Vodka (£35) Witchmark single origin English vodka Available from Master of Malt (£43) Best barley vodka Made in south-west Wiltshire on the Fonthill Estate (and named, intriguingly, for the medieval ‘witch marks’ carved into the old stone buildings of Fonthill's buildings), this barley-based vodka has a rich, creamy character. It's smooth and subtly sweet – one for sipping. Available from: Master of Malt (£43) Virtuous Vodka organic rye Available from Selfridges (£35.99), Master of Malt (£29.99) Best Swedish vodka An award-winning Swedish vodka with a rye base that imparts subtle spice and bread notes. Super-smooth and silky, it would make a lovely base for cocktails. Available from: Selfridges (£35.99) Master of Malt (£29.99) 58 & Co triple-distilled vodka Available from 58 & Co (£36) Best wheat vodka This British wheat vodka from ethical East London distillery 58 & Co has a clean, fresh profile, with appealing hints of lemon peel and cream. Available from: 58 & Co (£36) Helix 7 vodka Available from The Whisky Exchange (£25.75) Best-value vodka Made using French wheat spirit and Icelandic water, this has a creamy mouthfeel and a touch of citrus. It's well-priced and a good all-rounder to keep in your cocktail cupboard. Golden Egg vodka Available from The Whisky Exchange (£34.50) Best sipping vodka This Berkshire vodka is made with an added touch of honey, which ensures the spirit is ultra-smooth with a faint sweetness that makes it very palatable. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£34.50) How is vodka made? For centuries vodka has been the spirit of choice in countries such as Russia, Poland and across Eastern Europe, the Baltic and Scandinavia – indeed, where vodka was invented is still hotly contested between the first two nations. It’s typically distilled from fermented grains such as rye and wheat, as well as potatoes (although you can make vodka from many ingredients – see below), usually in a column still. Unlike spirits such as whisky, cognac and rum, vodka isn’t given time to rest and mature in casks, which accounts for its colourless, neutral-tasting character. Related reviews Best tequilas Best gins to try - our favourite bottles Best British gins to try Best American gins to try Best gifts for gin lovers Best savoury gins to try Best international gins Best citrus gins to try Best pink gins to try
We’ve found the best tequilas to buy, from silver varieties for cocktails to rich aged spirits perfect for sipping
Looking for the best tequila to buy? Want to try new varieties of the popular agave spirit? Check out our round up of the best tequilas brands to try this summer... For more drinks inspiration, check out our expert guides to the best mezcal to buy or best premium rum to try. Best tequilas at a glance Blanco tequilas Best tequila for easy drinking: Espolòn Blanco Tequila, £30.50 Best pink tequila: Código 1530 Rosa Blanco, £49.99 Best smooth blanco tequila: 1800 Blanco Tequila, £34.20 Best tequila for beginners: Cazcabel Honey Tequila, £32.18 Best silver tequila: Don Fulano Blanco Tequila, £45.50 Best flavoured tequila: Beeble Honey Tequila, £35 Best coffee tequila: Hacien Coffee Tequila Blanco, £37.50 Añejo tequila Best value añejo tequila: El Mayor Añejo Tequila, £41.75 Best tequila with a whisky twist: Storywood Tequila Speyside 14 Añejo, £56.95 Best tequila for sipping: VIVIR Tequila Añejo, £69 Best tequila for a Manhattan: Código 1530 Añejo, £112 Best herbaceous tequila: Tapatio Añejo Tequila, £32.89 Best añejo for special occasions: Komos Anejo Reserva, £184.62 Reposado tequila Best reposado tequila: Casa Noble Reposado, £65.90 Best delicate tequila: Mijenta Reposado Tequila, £60.49 Best blow out tequila: Komos Reposado Rosa Tequila, £139 Best mellow tequila: Herradura Reposado Tequila, £42.70 Best single-estate tequila: Ocho 8 Resposado Tequila, £29.50 Best reposado for sipping: Codigo 1530 Reposado Tequila, £51.75 Other tequilas Best charcoal-filtered tequila: Maestro DOBEL Diamante, £61.50 What is tequila? Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the cooked and fermented juice of blue agave. Most tequilas fall into three categories. Blanco tequila is unaged and bottled within two months, and is typically used in cocktails. It usually has strong agave and earthy flavours. Reposado tequilas have been aged in wooden casks for at least two months – which mellows the spirit and imparts oaky notes. Try them in cocktails like margaritas, or drink them neat. Añejo tequilas are barrel-aged for at least one year and are typically very smooth to drink, with spice, vanilla and caramel notes – they’re perfect for sipping. 20 best tequilas to buy 2025 Best blanco tequilas Espolòn Blanco Tequila Available from Master of Malt (£30.50), Ocado (£34.85) Best tequila for easy drinking A great-value, unaged tequila, smooth and sweet, with lime peel notes and a subtly peppery finish. Easy-drinking, this works well in most cocktails. Available from: Master of Malt (£30.50) Ocado (£34.85) Código 1530 Rosa Blanco Available from Amazon (£46.95), The Whisky Exchange (£46.95), Selfridges (£54.99) Best pink tequila This blanco tequila gets its pretty pink hue from ageing in Californian cabernet sauvignon barrels. It's light and delicate, with subtle sweet red fruits. Available from: Selfridges (£54.99) The Whisky Exchange (£46.95) Amazon (£46.95) 1800 Blanco tequila Available from Master of Malt (£34.20), Amazon (£36.70), The Whisky Exchange (£41.25), DrinkSupermarket (£39.99) Best smooth blanco tequila This silver tequila uses 100 per cent blue agave and is double-distilled for a smooth, rounded finish – a versatile pick for sipping neat or using in cocktails. A selection of white tequilas are blended together for the finished product, adding some extra complexity and depth of flavour: fruity on the nose but light and refreshing to finish. Available from: Master of Malt (£34.20) Amazon (£36.70) The Whisky Exchange (£41.25) DrinkSupermarket (£39.99) Cazcabel Honey tequila Available from Amazon (£32.18), Master of Malt (£25.95), Spirits Kiosk (£29.50) Best tequila for beginners A winning marriage of blanco tequila with Yucatán and New Zealand manuka honey, this is a fragrantly rich but not sickly sweet flavoured tequila – a good entry-level option for those new to the spirit, or those who prefer liqueurs. Available from: Amazon (£32.18) Spirits Kiosk (£29.50) Master of Malt (£29.55) Beeble Honey tequila Available from John Lewis (£35) Best flavoured tequila Honey spirits brand Beeble had the rather delicious idea of combining its Wiltshire honey with Mexican blanco tequila – the sweetness of the former is a winning match with the earthy agave notes of the spirit. One for after-dinner sipping and, thanks to its pretty recyclable box, gifting, too. Available from: John Lewis (£35) Hacien Coffee tequila blanco Available from Master of Malt (£35) Best coffee tequila A pleasingly light, coffee-flavoured tequila with dark chocolate notes – it would be a hit in a tequila-based espresso martini. Available from: Master of Malt (£35) Best añejo tequilas El Mayor añejo tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£41.75) Best-value añejo tequila Aged for at least 18 months, the richly fruity agave heart of this spirit is complemented by a touch of smoke. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£41.75) Storywood Tequila Speyside 14 Añejo Available from Hard to Find Whisky (£56.95) Best tequila with a whisky twist Tequila with a Scottish twist! Aged for 14 months in single-malt Scotch whisky barrels, expect inviting notes of caramel and nuts, and rich oakiness. Available from: Hard to Find Whisky (£56.95) VIVIR Tequila Añejo Available from Waitrose Cellar (£69), Master of Malt (£58.50), Fenwick (£69) Best tequila for sipping Matured in bourbon casks for 18 months, this aged tequila has a lush vanilla and oak character, alongside agave herbaceousness. One for sipping slowly. Available from: Waitrose (£69) Master of Malt (£58.50) Fenwick (£69) Código 1530 añejo Available from Master of Malt (£112), Amazon (£111.99) Best tequila for a Manhattan Aged for 18 months in Californian cabernet barrels, agave herbaceous oomph is matched with a backbone of caramel, oakiness and spice. Sip neat or try in a manhattan. Available from: Master of Malt (£112) Amazon (£111.99) Tapatio Añejo Tequila Available from Amazon (£32.89), The Whisky Exchange (£37.25), Master of Malt (£37.25) Best herbaceous tequila Ageing for 18 months in oak gives this tequila a rich and almost creamy character, with subtle spice and caramel notes that complement a delicate herbaceousness. Available from: Amazon (£32.89) The Whisky Exchange (£37.25) Master of Malt (£37.25) Komos añejo reserva Available from Master of Malt (£184.62) Best añejo for special occasions An opulent añejo with wonderful coffee and chocolate flavours and aromas, alongside caramel, red fruits and vanilla. One for special occasions. Available from: Master of Malt (£184.62) Best reposado tequilas Casa Noble Reposado Available from The Whisky Exchange (£77.50), Master of Malt (£65.90) Best reposado tequila This reposado has been aged for exactly 364 days, one day shy of being classified as an añejo. This extra ageing imparts vanilla notes and woody oakiness that complement the sweet agave character of the spirit. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£77.50) Master of Malt (£65.90) Mijenta Reposado Tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£61.25), Master of Malt (£60.49) Best delicate tequila Aged for up to six months in oak and acacia casks, this has delicate vanilla, honey and floral grassy notes. Use to give a margarita depth. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£61.25) Master of Malt (£60.94) Komos Reposado Rosa Tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£137) Best blow out tequila Pink tequila typically gets its colour from barrel ageing, as is the case with premium brand Komos’s reposado expression. Aged for two months in Californian red wine barrels, which tinges the spirit a delicate blush hue, it’s full of summery red berry notes as well as grassy agave herbaceous character. Enjoy in a refreshing long drink with soda or tonic water. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£160) Herradura Reposado Tequila Available from Amazon (£44.75), Master of Malt (£49.99), Spirits Kiosk (£49) Best mellow tequila Aged in wood for 11 months, this tequila has a really mellow burn, more like a fine whisky than a tequila. Smoky, smooth and a little sweet. Available from: Amazon (£44.75) Master of Malt (£49.99) Spirits Kiosk (£49) Ocho 8 Resposado Tequila Available from Great Wine Co. (£29.50) Best single-estate tequila A single-estate tequila (meaning all the agave used was taken from the same field) rested for two months in oak barrels: this is extremely smooth and balanced, with restrained vanilla notes. Available from: Great Wine Co. (£29.50) Código 1530 reposado tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£51.75) Best reposado for sipping Aged for six months in ex-Napa Valley cabernet barrels, this reposado has soft oakiness and warmth, along with pepper-like spice that matches the soft, sweet agave heart of the spirit. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£51.75) Best other tequilas Maestro DOBEL Diamante Available from Amazon (£61.50), Master of Malt (£61.50) Best charcoal-filtered tequila This blend of aged tequilas is charcoal filtered, resulting in a bright, light and sweet spirit with an appealingly soft and silky character. Available from: Amazon (£61.50) Master of Malt (£61.50) Don Fulano Blanco Tequila Available from The Whisky Exchange (£45.50), Amazon (£49.49) Best silver tequila Silver tequilas are usually seen as a great base for drinks such as margaritas, but this delicate number, with its herbal and fruity notes, is just as enjoyable sipped neat. If you do want to mix it, try pairing with tonic water. Available from: The Whisky Exchange (£45.50) Amazon (£49.49) Related reviews Best gins to try - our favourite bottles Best premium rums to try Best English whiskies to try Best British gins to try Best gin subscriptions and clubs Best gifts for gin lovers Best international gins Best citrus gins to try Best pink gins to try Best flavoured gins to try
Best alcohol Advent calendars to buy 2025
From high-end whiskies to exclusive craft beers, the countdown to Christmas has never been more fun. Here are our best alcohol Advent calendars to buy this year
The beauty of a boozy Advent calendar (aside from the obvious) is that it’s a great way to try lots of different drinks without having to commit to the expense of larger bottles. We’ve got all bases covered here – from flavoured G&Ts to spiced rum and craft beers, so get sampling! Still looking for Advent calendar inspiration? Check out our picks of the best coffee Advent calendars, best tea Advent calendars and best Advent calendars for foodies for plenty more ideas. Best alcohol Advent calendars to buy 2025 Craft Gin Advent calendar Available from Craft Gin Club (£95) Craft Gin Club's calendar features 25 different double measure servings to open all month long, including seven mystery spirits. It's impressively compact and although the cardboard design doesn't feel excessively luxe, you could definitely refill the satisfying-to-open boxes year after year. Alongside larger brands such as Salcombe, it's a great way to discover small craft distilleries from across the UK, with unique gins without novelty flavours. Available from: Craft Gin Club (£89.99) MOTH cocktail Advent calendar Available from MOTH (£79) If a well-mixed cocktail is your drink order of choice, then this is the alcohol Advent calendar for you. The design is minimalist monochrome on the outside but each door hides a colourful cocktail can. The calendar contains nine of MOTH's most popular flavours, so there's enough variety to not feel repetitive, while still getting a couple of each of your favourites. Cocktails include a negroni, margarita and paloma. Available from: MOTH (£79) Drinks by the Dram rum Advent calendar Available from Master of Malt (£124.95) An alcohol Advent calendar is a great way to explore the complexities of a single spirit – and this rum calendar from Drinks by the Dram does just that. Any rum lover will enjoy the chance to deep dive into this journey of discovery of 25 different wax-sealed rums sourced from around the world. For an even more specific experience, a spiced rum calendar is available, and also more affordable. Available from: Master of Malt (£124.95) Laithwaites Wine Advent calendar Available from Laithwaites (£99.99) We were impressed with the value for money that this calendar offers, with 23 different 187ml bottles, plus a full bottle of prosecco to open up on Christmas Eve. What’s not to love? There are three different Laithwaites wine calendars to choose between depending on your preferred wine: a mix of red and whites, all reds or all whites. We'd go for the mixture, to try a bit of everything. The extra festive design this year gets bonus points too. Available from: Laithwaites (£99.99) Drinks by the Dram Bourbon & American Whiskey Calendar Available from Master of Malt (£134.95) If you thought that American whiskey began and ended with bourbon, think again. Drinks by the Dram has brilliant Advent calendars for spirits, and this one does not disappoint. Featuring 25 wax-sealed 30ml drams, embark on a journey of discovery across the USA, covering a variety of styles and plenty of top brands and distilleries, including Bulleit, Michter’s, Maker’s Mark and FEW. Available from: Master of Malt (£134.95) Fever-Tree gin & tonic Advent calendar Available from Ocado (£70) Gin and tonic lovers, this is the calendar for you. Posh tonic water expert Fever-Tree has supplied everything you need for a G&T-fuelled December, with 12 x 50ml of craft gin and 12 cans of Fever-Tree tonic and mixers (from classic Mediterranean to festive clementine). Mix and match to create your favourite pairings. It's a balanced way to approach an alcohol Advent calendar and the quality of gins inside is high. Available from: Ocado (£70) Brewdog craft beer Advent calendar Available from Brewdog (£64.99) One of the more affordable alcohol Advent calendars, this is perfect for the beer fanatic. Inside the giant box you'll find 24 full-sized cans of beer, plus a Brewdog glass to drink from all month long. There are no repeats which means you get to try a great variety of styles, from hoppy IPAs to rich stout. Available from: Brewdog (£64.99) That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent calendar Available from Master of Malt (£59.95) If you're a gin lover in search of wacky and innovative flavours then this is the calendar for you. This collaboration between That Boutique-y Gin Company and Drinks by the Dram features 24 x 30ml wax-sealed drams of an eclectic array of gins – we're talking everything from festive gin liqueurs to cherry-flavoured spirits. Our favourite is the spit-roasted pineapple. Available from: Master of Malt (£59.95) Whitebox Cocktails classic Advent calendar Available from Selfridges (£110) Another great cocktail Advent calendar option. These single-serve, full-strength cocktails are perfect for December party season, with an impressive 10 varieties inside. There's the familiar negroni, cosmopolitan and espresso martini as well as flavours less commonly found in canned form, such as a boulevardier and dirty martini. Available from: Selfridges (£110) Drinks by the Dram Scotch whisky Advent calendar Available from Master of Malt (£134.95) This luxury alcohol Advent calendar feels special from the moment you unbox its smart navy blue box. Inside are 25 samples of whisky from all across Scotland, introducing you to the varied styles across the country, including multiple impressive 15-year-old varieties. It's an investment but there's plenty in here to keep you sipping into January. Available from: Master of Malt (£134.95) Related reviews The best coffee Advent calendars The best Advent calendars for foodies Best champagne gifts for champagne lovers Best wine gifts Best beer gifts Best gin gifts Best whisky gifts
Kick Christmas Day morning off with a vibrant blend of champagne, pink grapefruit juice and blanco tequila
Try our Paloma champagne cocktail, then discover homemade grenadine, bucks fizz, kir royale, French 75 and more champagne cocktails. Paloma champagne cocktail recipe
We’ve used Aperol here but you could swap with another Italian aperitif like Campari or Select Aperitivo for a more bittersweet flavour
Try our Aperol spritz punch, then discover sloe gin fizz, Christmas spiced negroni and more Christmas cocktails. Aperol spritz punch recipe
Feeling too stuffed for dessert after a big dinner? Enter the pudding cocktail: sweet, creamy and boozy, it’s the perfect end to a meal. Here we’ve used the flavours of a classic Italian dessert to make a decadent treat
Try our tiramisu martini, then discover our passion fruit martini, French martini, vesper martini and more easy martini recipes. Also try our recipes for homemade coffee syrup and other coffee cocktails such as our revolver cocktail. If you are entertaining, our espresso martini cheesecake makes for an impressive dinner party dessert, or make our fun espresso martini cake pops for a grown-up treat. Tiramisu martini recipe
The coconut cream might separate a little in the glass but just give it a quick stir if it does. If you don’t like rum then swapping for blanco tequila turns this into an equally delicious coconut margarita
Try our white Christmas colada, then discover our virgin piña colada, classic piña colada and pineapple mezcal margarita. Plus, discover dry gin martini and more martini recipes. White Christmas colada recipe
The World's 50 Best Bars 2025: the results
Find out which UK and London bars made the list of these prestigious awards, held in Hong Kong, as well as the top 50 winners
The World's 50 Best Bars is an internationally acclaimed annual list that celebrates the best in the bar industry, ranking destinations across the globe, from London to New York, Tokyo to Mexico City. Hotly anticipated each year, 2025's results include both established favourites and newcomers. Bar Leone in Hong Kong took the No.1 spot, winning World's Best Bar. This is the first time that a bar in Asia has gained the top spot in the awards. London led Europe in the top 50, with four bars making the list, including two in the top 10 – Tayēr + Elementary at No.5 and Connaught Bar at No.6. Satan's Whiskers came in at No.21 and Scarfes Bar at No.31. Panda & Sons in Edinburgh also made the list, ranking at No.34. Explore our guides to the best London cocktail bars, listening bars and wine bars. Check out the top 50 list below The World's 50 Best Bars – the top 50 1. Bar Leone, Hong Kong 2. Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City 3. Sips, Barcelona 4. Paradiso, Barcelona 5. Tayēr + Elementary, London 6. Connaught Bar, London 7. Moebius Milano, Milan 8. Line, Athens 9. Jigger & Pony, Singapore 10. Tres Monos, Buenos Aires 11. Alquímico, Cartagena 12. Superbueno, New York 13. Lady Bee, Lima 14. Himkok, Oslo 15. Bar Us, Bangkok 16. Zest, Seoul 17. Bar Nouveau, Paris 18. Bar Benfiddich, Tokyo 19. Caretaker's Cottage, Melbourne 20. The Cambridge Public House, Paris 21. Satan's Whiskers, London 22. Locale Firenze, Florence 23. Tlecān, Mexico City 24. Tan Tan, São Paulo 25. Mirror Bar, Bratislava 26. CoChinChina, Buenos Aires 27. Baba au Rum, Athens 28. Nouvelle Vague, Tirana 29. Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou 30. Danico, Paris 31. Scarfes Bar, London 32. Svanen, Oslo 33. Sastrería Martinez, Lima 34. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh 35. Röda Huset, Stockholm 36. Mimi Kakushi, Dubai 37. Salmon Guru, Madrid 38. Coa, Hong Kong 39. Sip & Guzzle, New York 40. Drink Kong, Rome 41. Double Chicken Please, New York 42. Maybe Sammy, Sydney 43. 1930, Milan 44. Jewel of the South, New Orleans 45. Virtù, Tokyo 46. Overstory, New York 47. The Bar in Front of the Bar, Athens 48. The Bellwood, Tokyo 49. BKK Social Club, Bangkok 50. Nutmeg & Clove, Singapore London bars in the top 50 No.5. Tayēr + Elementary – a Shoreditch bar of two halves, Elementary is a casual joint serving classic and seasonal cocktails on tap, while the intimate Tayēr is a more experimentally driven outfit. No.6. Connaught Bar – an iconic Mayfair hotel bar that serves one of the best martinis in the capital – made with theatrical aplomb at the table and customised with your choice of in-house bitters. No.21. Satan's Whiskers – Bethnal Green neighbourhood cocktail bar with grungy, taxidermy-speckled interiors, vintage booze posters and a feted hip hop soundtrack. No.31. Scarfes Bar – plush and handsomely outfitted hotel bar at the Rosewood London in Holborn, with a luxe drawing room/art gallery vibe thanks to the many original Gerald Scarfe sketches that decorate the walls.
Using spiced rum instead of whisky in a manhattan adds a warming richness and smoothness to this classic cocktail
Try our spiced rum manhattan, then discover our negroni, dirty martini, Americano cocktail, sherry Manhattan and more vermouth cocktail recipes. We prefer using a drier variety like Black Tears dry spiced rum but if you don’t have this you could use a 50/50 mixture of traditional spiced rum and aged dark rum. Spiced rum manhattan recipe
Add amaretto to an old fashioned for a lush, nutty tinge that makes it perfect for sipping after dinner
Try our amaretto old fashioned, then discover gingerbread old fashioned, chocolate old fashioned or monkey old fashioned. Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavoured Italian liqueur that is most famously used in an amaretto sour but also pairs really well with dark spirits like whisky. Amaretto old fashioned recipe