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7 winter cocktails to toast the festive season in London
Looking for a way to warm your cockles this Christmas?
We’ve rounded up the hottest cocktails London has to offer this year, from the sweet to the smoky.
Our list features only the creamiest, dreamiest, and warmest drinks on offer in the capital this year, from classic Irish Coffees to outlandish vodka-based Hot Toddys.
Whether you’re a staunched chilled-drink traditionalist or willing to dip your toes in the new hot-tail craze, here are our favourite tipples gracing London’s bar scene this December.
Grimm’s Potion at German Gymnasium, King’s Cross
German Gymnasium in King’s Cross has transformed its terrace into a magical world of fairy tales in a star-studded partnership with German airline Lufthansa, Monkey 47 gin and Fever-Tree Premium Natural Mixers.
But as any bar owner knows, a winter terrace is nothing without a string of special edition drinks. German Gymnasium has devised a fairy tale-themed menu with eight cocktails inspired by characters from Little Red Riding Hood to Cinderella. The drinks will be available from 6 Decejmber through to February to keep you toasty until Spring.
But it’s the Grimm’s Potion, an innovative take on the classic G&T, which caught the drinks business’ eye; a hot gin and tonic made from Monkey 47 Gin, Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic, apple juice and blueberries.
The Piedmont Cocoa at Selfridges, Oxford Street
If you can’t make it through the winter months without a hot drink taped to your mitts, then Selfridges is the place for you.
Selfridges’ rooftop bar, which is already hosting an Italian restaurant residency this month, has added a ‘hot-tail’ bar to keep shoppers warm this December.
The experimental bar is in the capable hands of Ryan Chetiyawardana — aka “Mr Lyan”; the mixologist behind Shoreditch’s White Lyan, Bankside’s Dandelyan and boundary-pushing sustainable cocktail bar CUB.
Perched on the rooftop of its iconic Oxford Street flagship, the Hot-Tail bar will blend Italian tastes with a hot punch.
One sweet drink includes the Piedmont Cocoa; a boozy take on the classic hot chocolate featuring a glug of pear-flavoured vodka and long and urfa pepper, served with a wedge of panettone on the side.
Buon Natale!
Hot Buttered Sherry at Sack, Hoxton
Say it again. Hot. Buttered. Sherry. Whisper it. Let the words roll over your tongue just like the warm embrace of Brandy butter on a Christmas pud.
T’is the season to drink Sherry, and Hoxton hangout Sack has unveiled a winter cocktail menu dedicated to the fortified wine.
While there are a number of traditional, chilled cocktails on offer, this hot buttered variety — loaded with decadent Brandy butter for an added kick — is just too delicious to overlook.
To make one at home, just simmer 20ml Fino Sherry, 5ml PX Sherry, 2 teaspoons Brandy butter, mulling spices, 10ml sugar syrup and 75ml cider in a pan then strain into a glass. Top with star anise and a lemon twist for a truly celebratory serve.
Irish Coffee at Swift, Soho
Espresso martinis may be leading the way for coffee-infused drinks this year, but Swift in Soho is making a case for the classic Irish coffee.
Swift’s limited edition cocktail — which combines Jameson’s Irish whiskey with darkly delicious Demerara syrup, coffee, cream and nutmeg — uses only the finest Colombian dark roast beans as well as Jamesons’ hotly-anticipated Caskmates whiskey, which has been finished in stout barrels for an added hit of dark chocolate. It’s pricier than your average coffee at £10, but with such a carefull thought-out flavour profile, who could resist?
OMG Boozy Hot Chocolate at Blade Hairclub, Soho
Ok, so it’s not exactly a hot-tail, but serving this chocolatey take on an espresso martini straight-up should bring the blood back to your extremities in no time.
T OMG Boozy Hot Chocolate is a thick and rich winter-warmer, made up of organic cocoa powder, tahini, honey, vanilla, Ceylon cinnamon, and Stagg Jr. Straight Bourbon (67.2% ABV).
Drinkers can choose from a wide range of flavours including dark, orange, chilli, matcha or milk varieties, all priced at £9.90. Alcohol-free and vegan options available, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Blazing Negroni at Little Bird Gin Residency, Peckham
For a mind-bending take on one of 2017’s top tipples, head South to Peckham.
Local distillery Little Bird Gin is serving a hot take on the classic Negroni this December, finished with a splash of herbaceous rosemary syrup and topped with an absinthe-soaked dried orange slice, which is set alight right before your eyes. Talk about a winter warmer…
The toasty tipple, which costs £6.50, features the classic flavours of Campari and vermouth with festive flavours, available throughout December.
Hot Voddy at Ladies and Gentlemen, Kentish Town
Wait, come back. We know what you’re thinking, but if this freakish mash-up between vodka and the humble Hot Toddy doesn’t put you in the festive spirit, nothing will.
Bringing student nostalgia to London’s bar scene, this sophisticated blend of Vestal Pomorze 2014 vodka, cloudy apple juice, star anise, cinnamon, citrus, orgeat is not only served warm, but straight up in a highly unassuming mug.
The hot vodka and apple juice mix will be served all month long at Ladies and Gentlemen; a converted public loo in Kentish Town (Merry Christmas!).