The London hot spots every gentleman needs to try this summer
Quench your thirst this summer at London's most stylish bars
There is no city quite like London in the summer. And, despite 2016 already being classed the wettest summer on record, there is no stopping gentleman across the city venturing for an after work aperitif, or a long and wine-fueled lunch.
This summer is no exception to the caliber of limited edition drinks offerings popping up around our favourite spots in the city. So if you’re in the mood for something new, here is a hit list of some of the hottest joints in town.
Head up to the Bloom Gin Terrace on the 8th Floor of the OXO Tower for a true Bloom with a view. The collaboration celebrates Bloom’s 10th birthday as well as OXO’s 20th. The selection of six special blends have been created by rising star bartender, Sophie Bratt, and are an ode to England.
Why not celebrate our Wimbledon victory with ‘The Bloom Gin Perfect Serve’. The cocktail comes in a sophisticated copa glass with a blend of British strawberries and mint served with Fever Tree Tonic and will cost £13.
Hutong, the award winning, 33-floor-towering Chinese restaurant in the Shard is welcoming Francesco Turrini as Bar Manager of its Shanghai Bar. And to celebrate his arrival they have created a series of cocktails. And, should the rain hold off for the evening, there is no better spot to observe the city with a cold drink.
Daring gentleman might be tempted to try the the ‘Old Peking Fashioned’ (£14), a quirky take on the classic short drink. Hennessey cognac is infused with Peking duck meat from the Hutong kitchen and this is left to permeate for a week before being strained and the remaining liquid frozen to separate any impurities. The cognac is then mixed with roasted sesame syrup, chocolate and angostura bitters and served with sesame popping candy pancakes filled with chocolate.
Alternatively, the ‘Summer Palace’ (£16) is another perfect concoction for the season and is Francesco’s longer take on the Brazilian Caipirinha, featuring Cachaça, lime juice and watermelon syrup, topped with watermelon and cucumber tonic.
The Wingfield is a new tantalizing gin aperitif which is so flavoursome it doesn’t need tonic and is perfect for anyone who doesn’t appreciate the dryness of quinine. The drink is Named after the pioneering innovator of Lawn Tennis in the 1870’s, Major Walter Clopton Wingfield and was launched earlier this year.
You can experience the Wingfield Spritz at Harvey Nichols for £11 and it’s refreshing flavours of elderflower, cucumber, pink grapefruit, bitter orange and ginger are perfect after a hard day of shopping.
With the help of Lottie Muir — aka The Cocktail Gardener — one of London’s best loved pubs, The Prince Albert in Battersea, is serving exclusive cocktails in its Garden Garnish project throughout the summer months, artfully using garnishes from their own cocktail garden which planted to promote inner city flora.
We recommend trying The Secret Garden cocktail which costs £8.50 and is made with Plymouth Gin, rose syrup, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and garden garnishes from The Prince Albert for the finishing touches. How very British.
Portobello Road Gin will launch a ‘Shop for Your Perfect G&T’ pop-up bar at the former Chanel boutique in Covent Garden. Discerning gents will now be able to personalise their G&T, choosing from an array of botanicals and tonics selected from traditional market stalls.
So whether you’re tempted to try a little basil or intrigued by the sound of starfruit, there is something to tantalise your tastebuds. Prices start from £7 and entrance to the masterclasses are free.
No booking required
Sushi Samba is a (rather high up) cornerstone of the trendy Pan-Asian scene in London and its latest offering takes advantage of that – as well as the impressive terrace. Rich Woods of Sushi Samba has worked with Bombay Sapphire to create a selection of cocktails blending ten botanicals such as kaffir, yuzu and matcha green tea.
We recommend a Yuzu Martinez (£xx), a blend of Bombay Dry, sweet vermouth and maraschino liquor stirred with a yuzu infusion and served ‘up’. It’s not for the faint hearted gentleman and in spite of the picturesque London view, you could be transported across the globe.
Cantina del Pont will be hosting a Pococello pop up bar from Pizza Pilgrims’ & Chase Distillery. Grown in Amalfi, distilled in England and born in Soho, Pococello fuses the world’s most sought-after Amalfi lemons with the world’s best-tasting potato spirit from Chase Distillery.
Transport yourself to the Amalfi coast with the cocktail of the same name (Pococello, Tequila Blanco, Peaty Scotch Whisky, Fernet Branca, black pepper, Fever-Tree ginger ale. Lemon zest and basil leaf garnish.) Sadly, even the Thames-side location won’t give you an Amalfi sun tan.
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