It’s London Cocktail Week, so in honour of this we’re highlighting some of our top tipples. All cocktails cost £4 with a wristband, and are available this week only*. Check out the full list of bars for a complete picture of all the wonderful creations on offer.
Covent Garden: Apple Mustard sour
Available at: London Cocktail Club, 244a Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2
Think your good friend the whiskey sour, twisted with American bourbon, apple juice and some mustard — an unconventional addition that makes sense, as besides providing a subtly creamy kick which adds depth, the condiment invokes images of a juicy rare steak (or, you know, pork), which is heavenly when paired with Stateside’s finest (sorry vegetarians, carrots just won’t cut it here). Also, be warned, London Cocktail Club is a dangerous place to be if you want to make a decent go of staying sober. Trust us. *Reaches for painkillers*
Soho: Gin Quininey
Available at: The Blind Pig, 58 Poland Street, W1
We’re all going nuts for yuzu, a citrus fruit indigenous to Japan, and this refreshing gin-based drink with a heavy Asian edge sees chefs' newest darling married with green tea. Pop upstairs to the Blind Pig, one of Soho’s coolest hotspots to try it for yourself. We’re tempted to see if they’ll let us keep all the bespoke bottles afterwards…
City: $DollarShake
Available at: City Social, Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2
It’s milk. Straight from the bottle. Like you used to have at school. But for adults. Remember at Christmas when the teacher used to let you mix in some Nesquik with it as a treat? Well, if you chose chocolate (of course you did. It’s the best) then this is for you — imagine an altogether more indulgent version with lashings of rum, just a hint of walnut, bound and thickened with yoghurt. We got expelled last time we tried that in the homeroom.
Camden: Pear and Chestnut Julep
Available at: York and Albany, 127-129 Parkway, NW1
York and Albany, a venue under the watchful eye of Mr. G Shouty Ramsey himself, brings us a cracking recipe to the festivities. The classic Julep with a British-autumnal twist — chestnut-infused Bourbon intermingled with some homemade pear puree — a surefire for winner for those imbibing up North (London).
Marylebone: Clubman
Available at: Salt Bar, 82 Seymour Street, W2
There’s been a lot of buzz around Haig Club, not least for the involvement of high-profile footballer David Beckham in the development and promotion of this single grain Scotch, which makes its LCW debut in the form of the Clubman, with apple (what can we say, we like on-trend English fruit) and a touch of ginger, to bring out the subtle spicy notes of the spirit.
London Cocktail week runs 6-12 October. Wristbands are now priced at £15.
*OK, sometimes they’ll keep whipping them up for a short while after. If you ask nicely.