As Christmas draws near, many bars and restaurants have announced the usual festive menus to get guests in the spirit. However, like a series of overplayed Christmas songs, many places can only offer reruns of the usual fare. Mulled wine, festive spices and creamy textures are the norm but some inventive bartenders across London are creating something really special.
We were intrigued to see how many spins on the classics went the extra mile in order to delight drinkers looking for a dose of festive fun with their drinks. From a homage to South American festivities at Viajante87 to a liquified take on the Panettone at Swift, many of London’s most celebrated bars have stepped up and we haven’t been disappointed.
So, if you’re bar hopping in the capital this December, catch these inventive Christmas cocktails on the menus of some of the city’s most brilliant bars while you can.
Seven terrific Christmas cocktails from top London bars
The Toddfather
Equal Parts
Equal Parts has always been one for innovation. The entire bar centres around crafting inventive and contemporary cocktails where each component is added in equal measure. For their Christmas offering, they’re impressing once more, this time with their own take on the beloved Hot Toddy. The Toddfather comprises Bruichladdich whisky, amaretto, ginger, apple, lemon and clove, all served warm and to be enjoyed propped up at the bar as the nights draw in and the windows steam up.
Coquito
Viajante87
Eggnog is everywhere at this time of year but have you ever come across the Coquito? Tracing its history back to the Spanish colonisation of Puerto Rico, this popular serve is the island’s own festive answer to the popular creamy drink, substituting gloopy raw eggs for milk in three forms: coconut, condensed, and evaporated, with the welcomed addition of rum. The team at Viajante87 have concocted their own spin on this South American classic, blending Brugal 1888 rum, coconut cream, cinnamon and nutmeg to create a silky treat that is brimming with festive flavour.
The Trifle
The Alchemist
From their famous ‘chocolate oysters’ to cocktails that smoke and fizz, London cocktail behemoth The Alchemist has built a reputation for creating experiential cocktails that never hold back on flavour. For Christmas, they’re offering a whole host of festive serves but we were especially tempted by The Trifle. As you’d imagine, it consists of multiple layers, including Ketel One vodka, Sarti Sicilian blood orange aperitif, tangerine jelly and an Advocaat foam on top. A contemporary spin on a 70s classic, alcohol is snuck in with each layer, meaning there’s no desperate scrabble for sherry-soaked sponge here.
Spiced Whisky Punch
Nipperkin
While many bars in London pay homage to the listening bars of 1950s’ Japan these days, very few execute them as effortlessly and as well as Nipperkin. This suave establishment is known for crafting drinks with British produce, which helps to contribute to the understated class of this acclaimed haunt. This festive season, the bar is serving up the chest-warming Spice Whisky Punch, which pairs Hibiki Harmony whisky with roasted cobnut liqueur, spices and truffle, all enveloped within silky lashings of milk to soften the whisky.
Panettone
Swift
The Panettone, with its fluffy dough and candied fruit, can be a polarising proposition at Christmas but one that also has a dedicated following. This year, cocktail stalwarts Swift, is serving up a take on the classic sweet treat with an almond Belvedere vodka fizz topped with Champagne.
Merry Quince Cocktail
Nightjar
Did somebody say warm Champagne? Possibly not but we were intrigued to discover this recent festive offering from Nightjar, whose Christmas partnership with Moët Hennessy has seen them create the Merry Quince cocktail, a warm serve comprising some of Moët Hennessy’s flagship drinks. Hennessy V.S Cognac, Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut, an in-house quince reduction, amontillado sherry and cocoa-nib fat wash go into this creation.
Mince Pie Negroni
Side Hustle
Bringing a slice of Latin America to the NoMad hotel, Davide Segat’s Side Hustle features an extensive collection of agave spirits that he cleverly uses across the cocktail menu for drinks that mesh South American and European flavours. For Christmas, the stylish team has crafted an entire menu of festive drinks. We were particularly taken by the Champurrado, made of Del Maguey Vida, Ancho Reyes chilli liqueur, mortia, chocolate, cream and salt.
