A hand holds a paper cup filled with hot chocolate, one of the cosiest winter drinks, topped with a melting marshmallow as a wooden stick stirs the drink. The background is blurred and deep red.

When the London frost sets in, there is no better refuge than a dimly lit corner with a steaming drink in hand. And while I will never be one to turn down a festive mulled wine, the city’s bar scene is brimming with exciting winter drinks offerings, from Michelin-starred hot chocolates to champagne cocktails served on heated terraces.

Whether you’re looking to hide away in a Grade II listed dockside building or toast to new beginnings at a sleek riverside bar, this guide highlights our favourite spots for a winter tipple:

The Sipping Room by Drake & Morgan

The Sipping Room by Drake & Morgan is keeping us cosy and warm this winter with its rich hot chocolates topped with toasted marshmallows, to be enjoyed from the comfort of their seasonal igloos. Crafted in collaboration with The Singleton Whiskey, the hot chocolate promises to be a velvety winter warmer.

You can enjoy your hot chocolate from the inside of its cosy Grade II listed building, or opt to sit in one of the seasonal igloos that overlook West India Quay.

Where: West India Quay, 16 Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AX
Website: www.drakeandmorgan.com

A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a cosy jumper, smiles whilst holding a glass mug of hot chocolate—one of her favourite winter drinks—topped with a toasted marshmallow. Her nails are painted red.

The Brush East London Grand Cafe

A cosy outdoor restaurant patio at night in London winter, decorated with fairy lights, fur-covered chairs, small pine trees, and modern hanging lamps—perfect for enjoying hot drinks and winter warmers in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Three festive cocktails in elegant glasses are displayed on a table with pine branches, fairy lights, and red berries—perfect London Winter Warmers—set against a blurred background with warm, glowing lights.

The Brush East London Grand Cafe’s Hot Toddy terrace is in full swing this year and decked out with cosy fur blankets, heaters and, of course, an exclusive seasonal drinks menu. On offer is a whole host of wintery cocktails, from The Elegant, with Martell VSOP Cognac, honey, citrus and Champagne, to The Spiced, with Woodford Reserve bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, agave and London Essence ginger beer. The Smoked also offers an inventive twist on a classic winter cocktail, blending Ardbeg 10-year whiskey, agave, lemon and chamomile tea.

Where: 84-86 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3JL
Website: www.thebrush.com

A martini glass filled with a creamy white cocktail, topped with cinnamon powder in the shape of a paw print, sits on marble—a playful nod to London winter drinks and cosy winter warmers.

The Leopard Bar at The Montague on the Gardens

The Leopard Bar is offering a sophisticated and eclectic menu of food and drink on offer this winter.

Guests can expect to enjoy an array of carefully curated wines, cocktails, beers and spirits, which can be enjoyed while listening to live jazz.

Beyond its selection of alcoholic beverages, guests can also enjoy a decadent hot chocolate from the bar’s dedicated station.

Where: 15 Montague St, London WC1B 5BJ
Website: www.montaguehotel.com

Adam Handling Chocolate Shop

A man stands in front of the maroon-painted Adam Handling Chocolate Shop, holding a hot drink and leaning casually against the doorframe—one of the best hot spots for London winter warmers on a city street.
A hand holds a white cup filled with hot chocolate and a large marshmallow, chocolate being drizzled in. The person, wearing a dark red apron, enjoys one of London’s hot drinks—perfect winter warmers on chilly days.

Calling all hot chocolate lovers. Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden lies Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling’s chocolate shop. The winter warmers have already received high praise, with two varieties – 70% Tela Honduras Dark and 70% Chiltepe Nicaragua Dark – recently being awarded three stars at The Great Taste Awards. Crafted sustainably from single-variety cacao, each cup delivers rich, fruity flavours that are perfect for braving the winter chill. You can either pop in to grab a hot choc on the go, or pick up some chocolate flakes to take home.

Where: 17 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NL
Website: www.adamhandlingchocolate.com

The Nine Elms Bar at Park Hyatt London River Thames

To celebrate the new year, the team at The Nine Elms Bar have crafted a brand new cocktail, the ‘New Year Toddy.’ Created to bring in 2026 with warmth and elegance. It blends Johnnie Walker Black Label with honey and fresh lemon juice, and is topped with vanilla foam and freshly grated nutmeg.

Designed to comfort and uplift, the New Year Toddy is the perfect toast to new beginnings.

Where: 7 Nine Elms Ln, Greater, Nine Elms, London SW8 5PH
Website: www.hyattrestaurants.com

A glass of frothy hot drink topped with whipped cream sits on a dark surface, cinnamon sticks beside it. Behind, a bronze industrial gear hints at one of the best hotspots for London winter warmers.

The Garden at Corinthia London

A waiter in a suit sets a white table filled with various pasta dishes, small bowls of food, winter warmers London, drinks, and a lamp, in a cosy restaurant with fur-covered chairs and autumnal decor.
A cup of hot chocolate, one of the classic winter drinks, is poured from a teapot into an elegant teacup with a spoon on the saucer. In the background are sugar lumps, orange slices, and a pudding on a white tablecloth.

In addition to its classic mulled wine offering, The Garden at Corinthia London is serving up an array of comforting drinks for the colder winter days. Guests can warm up with a rich hot chocolate or opt for the Alpine Bombardino, topped with whipped cream. Once more, the hot chocolate can be served with either Appleton Estate rum, Montelobos mezcal, or cherry liqueur. Wrapped in winter greenery and soft lighting, it’s a quietly indulgent spot to linger over something warming.

Where: Corinthia Hotel, 10 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
Website: www.corinthia.com

A barman pours whisky from a mixing glass into a tumbler with a large round ice cube—a perfect choice for winter drinks—set on a reflective bar surface, with the barman's hands skilfully visible.

Stables Bar at The Milestone Hotel

The Stables Bar at The Milestone is the place to go if you are on the hunt for a cosy cup of tea or coffee. Among its tea offerings is a selection of warming blends including, Apple & Cinnamon, Lemongrass & Ginger, and spice-led Chai Cinnamon and Vanilla Chai, all of which deliver cosy, aromatic comfort in a cup. Beyond this, its winter drinks menu features a selection of wintry signature cocktails from the Milestone Old Fashioned to the smoky, port-laced Peaky Blinders.

Together, these drinks position Stables Bar as a quietly luxurious winter hotspot: less about novelty, more about well-executed warmth, perfect for guests seeking a sophisticated seasonal escape.

Where: 1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL
Website: www.milestonehotel.com

Bars & Clubs, Food & Drink

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