Balmy evenings are on their way, which can mean only one thing: it’s time for cocktails! Fuel your night with a fruity number or try a twist on a classic at one of these 20 bars.
From kiwi and jalapeño margaritas to frozen passion fruit sorbet cocktail hybrids, here’s where to head for a summer cocktail.
Park Chinois
For a summer cocktail that ticks all of the right boxes, look to the Moulin Rouge. Expertly recommended by their assistant bar manager Makis Kazakis, the cocktail blends vibrant summer flavours and nods to both British gardens and Shanghai summer.
The sophisticated blend includes Haku Japanese vodka, rhubarb, lavender honey and fresh raspberry cordial, before being topped with a rose petal. You could say this is summer in a glass.
Where: 17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8EA
Website: www.parkchinois.com
Dalloway Terrace
Every season Dalloway Terrace gets a beautiful makeover and this summer is no different. They’ve partnered up with Malfy Gin and master florists McQueens to create a summer inspired by the Amalfi Coast.
It’s turned into a sun-baked lemon grove, so expect lemons to be hanging from the walls and a statement water feature to dazzle you while you sip on carefully curated cocktails. Our favourite from the selection being the Passione Sgroppino, made with Malfy Gin Rosa, Ron Bianco, Pink Grapefruit Shrub and Passion Fruit Sorbet.
Where: 16-22 Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3NN
Website: www.dallowayterrace.com
Amazonico
From the interiors through to the food, every ounce of Amazonico is inspired by rainforests. And the vibes continue through onto the cocktail menu too, with their signature cocktail ‘Save The Jungle’ bringing the flavours, tastes and smells of rainforest life to London.
Combining a mix of Yaguara Cachaça, lime, Tamarillo and anise, the cocktail has recently been renamed to help raise awareness of the devastating destruction of the Amazon rainforest every day. And now, they’ve launched their international charity initiative with One Tree Planted across their London and Dubai sites, and will plant a tree for every Save the Jungle cocktail ordered.
Where: 10 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BR
Website: www.amazonicorestaurant.com
The Lanesborough
If you’re as obsessed with Disney’s new live action film, Cruella, starring Emma Stone, then you’ll absolutely want to get a piece of the cake at The Lanesborough’s Cruella-inspired afternoon tea series.
As if the afternoon tea offerings were enough of a reason to head down, The Scene Stealer cocktail certainly is. Available with afternoon tea, the blood-red cocktail fuses Bombay Sapphire’s Bombay Bramble gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, raspberry puree, maraschino cherry juice and syrup. It’s then topped with white apricot air form and dry freeze blackberry dust, and served to the table on a tray of dry ice. How dramatic. It also comes in a non-alcoholic version if you’re that way inclined.
Where: Hyde Park Corner, SW1X 7TA
Website: www.oetkercollection.com
Searcys at The Gherkin
Summer is here, the warmer weather has (momentarily) arrived and so have summer serves at Searcys at the Gherkin. This summer make sure you get your hands on the Thyme to Start. It’s a fun twist on the all-time favourite margarita, made with tequila Olmeca, Aluna coconut rum, Cointreau, lime and thyme syrup.
Soak up the Gherkin’s soaring views over the city with this refreshing, booze-heavy tipple in tow.
Where: 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8EP
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
Sea Containers London
You might think it’s odd not to mention Lyaness here, but the Sea Containers London x Laurent-Perrier Summer Terrace is well worth the visit too on a balmy evening filled with cocktails.
Head here and try The Handbook’s favourite, the Hedgerow Spritz. Sharp and refreshing, the cocktail blends Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée, Bombay Sapphire, lemon, grapefruit and lemon thyme.
Where: 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PD
Website: www.seacontainerslondon.com
Sabine
London’s hottest new rooftop arrival, Sabine is bringing us a summer filled with fantastic cocktails.
Perfect for those warm weather evenings, order in a glass of the Whizz Fizz. Served in a flute, this cocktail combines rhubarb and ginger gin, fresh lemon juice, elderflower cordial and is topped with prosecco before being topped with a maraschino cherry on a curve skewer.
Where: 10 Godliman Street, EC4V 5AJ
Website: www.sabinelondon.co.uk
Bar Des Prés
Moving from Paris to London, the original Bar des Prés opened in November of 2016; an understated concept tucked away in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, it swiftly became one of the capital’s best kept secrets. Now with an offering in the heart of Mayfair, the same presence and atmosphere continue.
The expert bar team have created a cocktail menu that’s sure to suit everyone, from the Cosmocat, a mix of Belvedere vodka, aloe vera, yuzu, apple sour, vanilla and aphrodite bitter to the Plum Royal, combining Zacapa centenario 23, calvados, umeshu plum, matcha tea, strawberry and plum shrub, and aromatic bitters.
Where: 16 Albemarle Street, W1S 4HW
Website: www.bardespres.com
St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys
While you might not be whizzing off on the Eurostar this summer, there is still reason to hit up St Pancras International and it’s for the summer cocktails at St Pancras Brasserie and Champagne Bar by Searcys.
For those who like a touch of fizz in their cocktail, their summer selection includes Champagne Cocktail of Martell VS Cognac with bitters and Searcys Selected Cuvee Champagne, and the St Pancras by Searcys with Grand Marnier, Absolut vodka, peach liqueur, 24 Carat gold leaf and topped off with Champagne.
Where: ST PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL, KINGS CROSS, N1C 4QL
Website: www.stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk
Hotel Cafe Royal
With the warmer weather finally here, it means only one thing: spritz season is here. And where better to head than the Hotel Cafe Royal’s Green Bar.
They’ve teamed up with Cloudy Bay to bring us a summer of wine, but for those who want to mix it up a little, take it up a notch with the Cloudy Bay Spritzer. Super refreshing and light, the cocktail fuses together Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, basil and lemongrass-infused Vermouth Bianc de Prato, Cassis liqueur, orange bitter and soda water.
Where: 68 Regent Street, Soho, W1B 4DY
Website: www.hotelcaferoyal.com
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
You can never go wrong with a Negroni. It’s simple, rich with vermouth and orange, and a real classic. Every cocktail bar has one listed on their menu but this summer try Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane’s ‘The Huntsman’.
Made in partnership with iconic British luxury brand, Huntsman Savile Row, the cocktail has been created by bar manager Ivan Arena and features a custom ‘Huntsman-house’ blended vermouth, presented on their famous Negroni Trolley.
Where: Hamilton Place, Park Lane, Mayfair, W1J 7DR
Website: www.fourseasons.com
The Stafford
With 4th of July around the corner, there’s only one place you’ll want to head and that’s The American Bar at The Stafford London. Swing by here to celebrate all things American and sample some of the finest cocktails in the capital.
Venture out onto the courtyard and while away the afternoon with the Pandan Cove, a mix of Bayou white rum infused with coconut, pineapple and pandan leaf cordial, absinthe, and citrus, or try something a little different with the Tucan, a blend of Snow Queen organic vodka, with watermelon cordial, citrus and tarragon carbonated.
Where: 16-18 St James’s Place, St. James’s, SW1A 1NJ
Website: www.thestaffordlondon.com
Eataly
Sure, an Aperol Spritz is simple to make but it can be really hit or miss if you don’t know where to head. Too much ice and soda can drain out the flavours, while some bars try to skimp on the Prosecco and charge over the odds. One place that just does it right, time and time again, is Eataly’s La Terrazza di Eataly.
Still relatively new on the block but being a venue that prides itself on the highest quality of Italian products, you can guarantee these guys know what they are doing.
Nothing says Italian summer quite like a spritz in the sunshine so order in an Aperol to fuel you through the warm weather evenings.
Where: 135 Bishopsgate, EC2M 3YD
WebsitE: www.eataly.co.uk
Daffodil Mulligan
Kiwi is such an underrated fruit. These fluffy fruit friends are juicy, tart and incredibly refreshing. Which is probably why Daffodil Mulligan have pimped up their margarita offering and have added a Kiwi and Jalapeño Margarita to their menu.
Enjoy as part of their live music margarita brunch every Saturday or order it on a day when the warm weather finally hits the capital.
Where: 70-74 City Road, Shoreditch, EC1Y 2BJ
Website: www.daffodilmulligan.com
Tavolino
Riverside favourite, Tavolino is continuing to bring the Italian essence to the capital through their interiors, food and cocktails.
This summer try their twist on the classic negroni, the Negroni Rosato. The Campari/bitter substituted for a sweeter Cocchi Americano Rosa. This makes the cocktail more approachable for those not accustomed with the bitter taste of Campari. It’s bitter-sweet, herbal and fruity with a very light note of rose.
WherE: 2 More London Riverside, SE1 2DB
Website: www.tavolino.co.uk
Kindred
Cocktails never looked so good. Kindred, Hammersmith’s finest members’ space, is welcoming Londoners back with their tempting selection of cocktails.
Expect to find the classics, from Margaritas to Old Fashions, as well as an array of bespoke concoctions, including Aegean Breeze, a blend of pink grapefruit gin and apricot brandy, lemon and mint for a fruity and fresh tipple; The Flashheart, a smooth and spicy mix of honey tequila, lime and chilli, and everyone’s party starter, The Martini, the Lychee variety being the top seller for this summer.
WHERE: BRADMORE HOUSE, QUEEN CAROLINE STREET, HAMMERSMITH W6 9BW
WEBSITE: WWW.WEAREKINDRED.COM
ROBATA
Home to traditional Japanese charcoal cooking and covered alfresco dining, ROBATA also boasts a wide range of Sake-infused cocktails and classic cocktails you won’t want to miss out on.
We love the Kurisumasu – it’s the perfect blend of Roka gin, lychee, yuzu, mango, basil and wasabi.
Where: 56 Old Compton Street, Soho, W1D 4UE
Website: www.robata.co.uk
South Place Hotel
Every year their outdoor terrace at South Place Hotel gets a floral revamp and this year, the Secret Garden has been transformed into an oasis of floral dreams, abrim with posies hanging from the ceiling.
In partnership with Chambord, the cocktail menu has been given a spruce up too. We love the Chambord Fashion, a fun twist on the classic made with Chambord, whisky, Cointreau and demerara syrup.
Where: 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF
Website: www.southplacehotel.com
London Cabaret Club
Home to wild weekend nights, live entertainment, music and fine dining, London Cabaret Club is the place to head for a good time.
To fuel you through the evening, try the My Lady M. It’s fresh with silky notes of red roses complemented by the fresh juniper and forest berries used in the blend.
WherE: Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, WC1B 4DA
Website: www.thelondoncabaretclub.com
Corinthia
For a quiet evening away from the crowds and bustling streets of the capital, look to The Garden at the Corinthia London. Their Mediterranean inspired outdoor restaurant is the perfect oasis, from the draped florals through to the cocktail menu.
Created by bar manager Alena Cagnato, complete your night by ordering the ‘Into the Wild’ cocktail, a mic of Beluga Noble vodka, rose and elderflower cordial, lime juice and topped with aloe vera water. It’s simply, lightly flavoured and incredibly refreshing for those warmer evenings.
Their Mediterranean inspired outdoor restaurant is the perfect oasis, from the draped florals through to the cocktail menu.
Where: Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD
Website: www.corinthia.com
