We’ve waited all year for this Ladies and Gents. ‘Tis the season where we can finally lift that glass of mulled wine up to our lips with #noregrets, and it’s also the time to try all of the festive venues London are offering up. So, if you want to impress Santa this year with more than just a glass of milk, head on down to The Hari where Santa’s Favourite Tipple is being served up. Or, if you’re looking for something to jingle your bells it’s One Aldwych for a selection of Christmas drinks named with puns better than the one’s I come up with… But, at the end of the day, if you don’t like my puns I think that’s pretty Rude-olph. I’ll leave that there for you to mull-ed wine over…
Bvlgari Hotel London
Renowned for not doing things in half measures… well, except for maybe this cocktail, Bulgari Hotel has created Santa’s Favourite cocktail this year. No, we haven’t personally asked him if it is, but if Bulgari have had anything to do with it then it’s sure to be up there. Being served up at Il Bar, the cocktail is served with a coupe of Champagne NV R de Ruinart is a traditional bauble featuring cognac, fig liqueur, rum and chocolate bitters. Simply pour in and salute!
Available from the 30th of November 2018 until the 6th of January 2019
Where: Bulgari Hotel London, 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Knightsbridge (0.2 miles)
Website: www.bulgarihotels.com
116 Pall Mall
Escaping the coolness of wintery streets is an absolute must over the Christmas season, not because of the weather but because venues like 116 Pall Mall are offering up the most coveted of seasonal cocktails. This year around, the Grade 1 listed building has two tipples on offer. Mixing warming coffee-based drink the Flat White, with baileys, Smirnoff and Espresso, 116 Pall Mall brings to you the Flat White Martini; allowing guests to indulge in two guilty pleasures, coffee and alcohol. Next up, it’s a Captain Morgan’s Smugglers Folly equipped with Captain Morgan Spiced Gold, pineapple and lemon juice, sugary syrup, strawberries, basil and black pepper. You’ll enjoy the drinks in the Wine Bar where you can cosy up away from the madding crowd. Sounds pretty darn festive to us!
The Wine Bar will open up after 6pm. Book ahead by emailing resbookingsiod@benugo.com
Where: 116 Pall Mall, Westminster, London, SW1Y 5ED, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London Charing Cross (0.3 miles)
Website: www.116pallmall.com
The Arch London
With Winter Wonderland just around the corner, it seems The Arch will be even more of a go-to destination in the heart of the city. Why not put your feet up on and warm the hands by the fire in Hunter 486 restaurant. Serving up synonymous Christmas flavours, guests will enjoy steaming cups of mulled wine served with a Clementine-wrapped cinnamon stick and dried orange slices, or delve into three Christmas drink options. There’ll be apple and cinnamon mimosas, pear sour with brandy, pear and lemon and Autumn harvest with brandy and apple.
Where: 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7FD, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Marble Arch (0.3 miles)
Website: www.thearchlondon.com
Sanderson Hotel
The Sanderson Hotel has chosen one of the most popular films to snuggle by the fire to over the festive period. Willy Wonka and His Chocolate Factory and all of its sweetness is the go-to theme for the renowned hotel this year, with Long Bar being spruced up with overflowing vintage jars and psychedelic swirls, and a ceiling decked with candy canes. Drinks will follow suit; sip on Wonka’s Martini, a mix of Grey Goose vodka, Eager apple juice, green apple and lemon. Or, opt for a Glop Glop,a concoction of Mozart dry chocolate vodka, Briottet orange liqueur and Lillet Blanc vermouth. Plenty of other options are available too. So, wander through a lobby laden with edible rainbows and jars of sweets into a sweet filled paradise.
Where: 50 Berners Street, London, W1T 3NG, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Goodge Street (0.4 miles)
Website: www.sandersonlondon.com
The Jones Family Project Restaurant & Bar
We are family… or at least we wish we were part of the Jones Family Project so we could get our hands on as many Christmas cocktails as poss! This year, their tipple offering is called Our Niece Elena Always Has To Wrap Up Warm In The Winter (quite the mouthful, but stands out amongst the crowd), including hot nut choc syrup, Calvados brandy, Mozart chocolate liqueur, Aperol, Monin hazelnut liqueur and apple juice. The cocktail, set to be steaming to warm you up on a winters day, will make Baileys and mulled wine seem oh, so boring! What are you waiting for?
Also on offer are various winter warmers (with quirky names, might we add) in the form of Soul King Cole with whisky, Drambuie, caramael, lemon and egg white, and Dreaming of Aruba (which is something I’m doing right now at my work desk), including Kraken spiced Wray and Nephew, crème d’a bricot, Velvet falernum, grapefruit juice, lime, ginger ale and fresh raspberries.
Available now until February/March 2019
Where: 78 Great Eastern Street Shoreditch EC2A 3JL
Nearest station: Old Street (0.2 miles)
Website: www.jonesfamilyproject.co.uk
Novotel
Ever fancied drinking a Christmas Tree? Random question we know, but one that has to be asked after Novotel and Sipsmith combine to create the Taste of Christmas that smells and tastes like a Christmas tree. The olfactory cocktail will certainly get you into the spirit, (quite literally… there’s gin in there), and boasts infused pine needles, cinnamon sticks all of which is garnished with a fire-smoked pinecone, containing London Dry Gin. I know we say this a lot but this literally is Christmas in a cup, and we’re all for it!
Where: All Locations
Website: www.novotel.accorhotels.com
The Stafford London
Let’s face it, we’d swig mulled wine all year if it was socially acceptable but it’s not, which actually makes the first taste of it come Christmas pretty darn delicious! So, to get into the spirit with a good ol’ glass of it, The Stafford has got Bar Manager Benoit Provost on hand to serve home-made mulled wine throughout the month of December. Warm your hands up on a glass of the coveted xmas beverage in the iconic American Bar or under the fairy lights in the cobbled courtyard…or both!
Where: 16-18 St James's Place, Mayfair, London, SW1A 1NJ, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Green Park (0.2 miles)
Website: www.thestaffordlondon.com
The Rubens at the Palace
Eggnog yourself out at The Rubens and enjoy their brand new signature cocktail. The Rubens Eggnog signature winter cocktail is made with Hennessy Fine de Cognac, fresh vanilla beans, vanilla syrup, grated nutmeg, orange bitters, clove and more. In other words, if Christmas were a drink then it would most likely come in the form of The Rubens creation. For those who still get a kick from snapping photos of their food and drink, the ice heavy beverage decorated with cinnamon shard makes it perfect for that cosy Christmas drink shot. And we’ll let you into a little secret, the drink doesn’t actually contain egg due to a favourite of reasons (including pesky allergens), so it’s a unique sit that uses Bouchard Pinot Noir.
Where: 39 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, SW1W 0PS
Nearest station: London Victoria (0.2 miles)
Website: www.rubenshotel.com
Puttshack
We just love the sound of a North Pole Negroni, which is why Puttshack are the gift that just keeps on giving this Christmas, with their delectable cocktail offerings. For those who aren’t in the know, Puttshack is the place you can dust off your mini-golf club and indule in patented technology whilst playing along drink in hand, and this Christmas they’ve got a hole in one when it comes to their drinks selection. With seriously cool names at their helm, there will be the North Pole Negroni (as mentioned), the Ice Spice Baby (spice up your life!) and Santa’s favourite go-to, the Mince Pie Martini! Enjoy in no particular order, but remember to keep your head in the game… mini-golf is serious business!
Where: Westfield London, London, UK
Nearest station: Shepherds Bush (0.2 miles)
Website: www.puttshack.com
St-Germain's The Belle of St Clement
When a giant like St Germain decides to create a festive cocktail that’s what we call a Christmas miracle! This year, we’ve got out eye on The Belle of St Clement; a drink that looks just as good as it tastes. The cocktail uses 10ml of St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, 5ml mandarin acacia honey syrup, 80ml hot silver tip jasmine tea, two drops of rosemary droplets/tincture and (for Insta) garnish with a sprig of rosemary! It’s sure to warm the cockles of your heart… and get you a little wobbly, but who’s complaining?
Website: www.stgermain.fr
St Martins Lane
Casting a spell on the people of London, St Martins Lane Hotel is involved in this years Narnia hype, introducing the magic of the popular book and film into Covent Garden. Guests will travel into the speakeasy, Blind Spot, and enjoy a fitting cocktail menu inspired by Turkish Delight. There’ll be Edmund’s Elixir with Bombay Sapphire gin, Crème de Peche liqueur, rosé wine, hibiscus flower and rose water, paired with a Rose Turkish Delight and The Queen’s Petrification with Grey Goose vodka, Cointreau, sugar and soda water, paired with a Lemon Turkish Delight. So, grab yourself a furry throw and enjoy the faun and games!
Where: 45 St. Martins Lane, London, WC2N 4HX, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Leicester Square (0.2 miles)
Website: www.stmartinslane.com
Lucky Voice Soho
The Lucky Voice elves have been causing drink based havoc, running about spreading mischief in order to create this luminescent little offering; the Christmas Martini. The sought after spirit uses vodka (duh!), orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lime juice, cinnamon syrup and egg white. Sounds like one to tingle the tastebuds.
Available through November and December across the London and Brighton venues
Where: 52 Poland Street, London W1F 7NQ, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Oxford Circus (0.4 miles)
Website: www.luckyvoice.com
Winter Negronis
Campari’s selection of Winter Negronis would have us dizzy because we’d just have to sample them all! The five cocktails on offer come as a result of Campari’s transition from more summery tipples to deeper, cosier and more sumptuous winter offerings. The lavish list features the likes of a Mulled Negroni, a cheeky twist that subverts the wine-based norm. The recipe is as follows: 25ml Campari, 25ml Cinzano Roso, 25ml gin, 50ml red wine, 50ml water, clove studded orange wedges, Cinnamon sticks, all heated in a pan. Other suggestions include Ribbon found at Swift using a mix of Campari, Vermouth Rosso, Solerno and Tio Pepe sherry, and Foxlow’s mince pie liquer that gives the classic Negroni a festive makeover.
Website: www.lavitacampari.com
Park Chinois
Park Chinois are going all out seduction with their boujee Christmas cocktails. The festive aperitifs include The Belle, made with Martin VSOP Armagnac, quince liqueur, homemade pear marmalade, sherry and (last but by no means least) Champagne. Or, there’s the Jour Et Nuit, a rum-based delicacy incorporating white chocolate rum for a touch of “Ooo, delicious”. There’s no need to book for dinner, just sashay down to the Wave Bar from 6pm where the cocktails will be served up every night this festive period.
Available now
Where: Park Chinois, 17 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, W1J 8EA
Nearest station: Green Park (0.2 miles)
Website: www.parkchinois.com
Mews of Mayfair
Mews of Mayfair are ringing in Christmas with a signature cocktail in the most luxe of settings. This Christmas, the Berry Blazer cocktail which uses Hennessy Cognac, Grand Marnier, Chambord, brown sugar and berries, can be sipped to your hearts content in the dazzling Mews Cocktail Bar; a speak-easy space, oak panelling, blue leather and a statement bar. So, spruce up your taste buds instead of your Christmas trees at a bar that rings out true Christmas cheer.
Always available in the Cocktail and Courtyard Bar’s
Where: 10 Lancashire Court New Bond Street W1S 1EY
Nearest station: Bond Street (0.3 miles)
Website: www.mewsofmayfair.com
The Savoy
Frank Sinatra may have flown to the moon, but The Savoy want to come straight back down again! Launching in their Beaufort Bar is the To The Moon and Back cocktail, the brainchild of bartender Victor Maggiolo. The cocktail, which includes 35ml Grand Marnier, 15ml Campari, 25ml of a uniquely crafted Savoy cordial infused with rose buds and grapefruit peel topped with 50ml Champagne (wow!), comes as a re-vamp of the famous “Moonwalk” cocktail, created in the American Bar.
Where: The Savoy, Strand, London, United Kingdom
Nearest station: Holborn (0.3 miles)
Website: www.fairmont.com
Drake and Morgan at King’s Cross
Drake and Morgan sure won’t be missing out on the Christmas cocktail action this year having produced a neat list awash with festive flavours in the form of warming, moreish tipples. Proving three’s not always a crowd, the menu features Golden Gift made using Prosecco, elderflower cordial, creme de cacao and lemon juice, Old Frankie made with Bulleit Bourbon, London Bold spirit and Frankincense bitters, and Cosmyrrhpoliton (we see what you did there) using Ketel One Citroen. Nothing says winter warmer quite like this innovative cocktail array, sure to help you combat colder climes.
Where: 6 Pancras Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AG, United Kingdom
Nearest station: London St Pancras (0.1 miles)
Website: www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
Benares Restaurant and Bar
Bringing a slice of Manhattan to London, Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Benares has introduced their Mulled Manhattan using 18 year old velvety smooth Chivas Whiskey and Benares’ own house made mulled wine reduction. The drink is then garnished with orange, cloves and cinnamon sticks. Basically, if Santa has put one of these in our stocking we’ll be pretty darn disappointed because it tastes oh, so good.
Where: 12a Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6BS
Nearest station: Green Park (0.3 miles)
Website: www.benaresrestaurant.com
The 12 Drinks Of Christmas
Adding a very naughty but nice twist to the traditional 12 Days of Christmas, Franklin & Sons has partnered with leading London bars including Savage Garden, The Hide Bar, 68 & Boston and Apples & Pears to bring you lucky bunch 12 unique cocktails. Somewhat different to the usual 12 Days of Christmas offering of a partridge in a pear tree and two turtle doves, the cocktails will draw on Franklin & Sons premium sodas and tonics, twisting up classic cocktails into concoctions such as pink G&T’s, wintery espresso martini’s, to bubbly floral delicacy.
Website: www.franklinandsons.co.uk
