This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Slideshow
Top 10 festive cocktails
Three Wise Men
One of the capital’s most creative shakers, Rich Wood of Duck & Waffle, has created a quartet of Christmas-themed cocktails to keep us warm during the long winter nights.
This one plays on the gifts given by the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus. Taking a Cognac base, it includes truffled dark chocolate, hay (in a hat tip to Jesus’ crib), frankincense and myrrh – but sadly no gold.
Milky Bar Snowball
The Milky Bar Kid was apparently strong and tough, and only the best was good enough for him, so the old adverts go. Big kids will love Woods’ creamy concoction inspired by the white chocolate bar, which features vodka, distilled lemon, Milky Bar flavoured Advocate, egg and Prosecco.
Christmas Spiced Champagne Cocktail
Woods has also created a Chocolate Orange Negroni, which we imagine will be wickedly good, and this festive Champagne cocktail, made with Duck & Waffle mince pie flavoured liqueur, spiced orange bitters and Champagne. Sounds like the liquid embodiment of Christmas Eve to us.
Angel Kiss
Also stirring up festive cocktails is modern British restaurant Perkin Reveller, a stone’s throw from the Tower of London. It’s Angel Kiss includes a large slug of Tia Maria coffee liqueur, layered with double cream and topped with coco powder.
Gingerbread Lady
The gingerbread lady meanwhile sounds like all kinds of lovely. Twisting on a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, it features Chairman’s Reserve Spiced Rum, Fever Tree Ginger Beer and Prosecco.
X-Mas Snowball
No festive season is complete without enjoying a Snowball or three. The classic cocktail, made with an Advocaat base, is dangerously easy to drink. Perkin Reveller’s versions features pink fizz and is served in a highball glass.
Rum and Raisins
Another bar getting in on the Christmas cocktail act is Skylounge on the 12th floor of the Hilton hotel in Tower Hill. Its Rum and Raisins is a punchy mix of Diplomatico, Brugal and Pyrat rums with a dash of Cherry Brandy and spoonful of sugar served with rum soaked raisins.
The Green Hour
The Green Hour meanwhile is one to kick off the night with, blending Hendrick’s gin, bison grass vodka, elderflower cordial, cinnamon, apple juice and a dash of Absinthe to warm the cockles.
Rockin Robin
The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych hotel has hooked up with Four Roses Boubon on four winter-themed cocktails. While the Almond Warmer, featuring Four Roses, amaretto, Antica Formula, Angostura Bitters, pomegranate syrup and lemon juice sounds divine, the Rockin Robin, made with Four Roses, Calvados, Green Chartreuse, ginger and lemongrass cordial, won our hearts for the addition of an adorable robin garnish.
Cherry Bomb Sour
Over at Asian restaurant Bo Drake in Soho, the Cherry Bomb Sours, a warming blend of Vodka, lime, Creme de Mure, cherry and egg white, are going down a storm.
Don’t Mug Yourself
And here’s one to make at home – designed to be drunk by the fireplace, the creamy concocion features Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Caffé Borghetti coffee liqueur, 25ml of Espresso, Bourbon biscuit syrup and a dash of milk or cream with a sprinkle of nutmeg or chocolate power to finish.