Shaken or Stirred: London’s Best Cocktails

Posted by Logan Smith on Sep 9, 2011 in News | 3 comments

Like most people, I enjoy a nice cocktail every once in a while, and with so many places in London claiming to make the ‘best cocktails’, it’s hard to know who’s telling the truth. Here’ are a few of the best cocktails I’ve had in London.

Bloody Mary
Hands down the best Bloody Mary I’ve had in my entire life was at the Admiral Codrington in South Kensington. I wish I knew all the ingredients they put in their version, but every time I’ve asked, the bartender hasn’t been willing to tell me. They obviously use all the traditional ingredients in a Bloody Mary, except for the infused vodka and a dark mixture of what I assume is of a Worcestershire base. The final taste of this drink is unlike any Bloody Mary I’ve had before. Trust me, once you try one, you’ll be hooked.

Dirty Martini
The Botanist is definitely one of my favourite place because it happens to make my favourite cocktail ever, the Dirty Martini. While they can be a pricey drink, I always find it worth it. After ordering one, expect to wait about 10 minutes because of all the prep work the bartenders put into the cocktail. They chill the shaker with vermouth, then freshly muddle olives and add your choice of vodka. They finish it off by stirring it to perfection.

Margarita: Spicy Edition
If you want a Margarita that packs a punch, then try one at Dean Street Townhouse in Soho. This unsuspecting cocktail gives no warning of its spice level, since it looks like a regular Margarita when arriving at the table. Take one sip and you’ll be hit with a spiciness that takes you by surprise. The spice level isn’t completely overwhelming, but it does provide an aftershock. I actually found the spiciness a benefit to the drink, as it enhanced the Margarita flavour.

Espresso Martini
The cocktail list at Jaks Bar is extensive, but the nice thing about the cocktails is that they are all organic. My favourite though is the Espresso Martini. Made from freshly brewed espresso, this is another bar that puts full effort into its drinks. The bartenders shake the martini until it’s frothy and serve it in a chilled martini glass topped with coffee beans. This cocktail is a great start to a long evening if you’re Southwest London.

Watermelon Martini
Being from Florida, I love watermelon, so adding vodka is a definite plus. I just happened to stumble upon the best Watermelon Martinis in London at Eclipse Bar. Usually places can go very wrong with this drink, but Eclipse isn’t one of them. At Eclipse, you don’t have to worry about the grainy texture of this martini because the bartenders take the time to strain the drink to perfection. Just a warning, this martini can be a bit sweet, but it’s definitely worth a shot, as it’s the martini Eclipse is known for!

I’m always a fan of trying cocktails at new places, since you can be in for a pleasant surprise. Where are you favourite places to get cocktails? I’m always looking to try new places!

Photography by William Clifford, Allie from Vancity, and Ralph Daily.