Soak up the Christmas spirit with our five top festive cocktails

17^th December 2019

Rosamund Kelby

Rosamund Kelby

17 December 2019

It’s impossible to ignore Christmas in the capital: trees are going up all over the city; Oxford Street is decked with lights; shops are playing Slade on repeat. But if you’re still feeling a little removed from the celebrations, it may be time to consume the Chrismas spirit in a more literal fashion. Festive cocktails are the perfect way to count down to the holiday with your friends and loved ones, so be sure to check out our shortlist for the best bars in town.

Escape to the slopes with Apres-ski vibes at 100 Wardour’s Alpine Lodge

One of Soho’s legendary venues, 100 Wardour Street, has undergone a magical transformation this Christmas in order to transport Londoners from the heart of the bustling capital to comfort of cosy cabins in the snow-covered mountains. The Alpine Lodge, set up in collaboration with Möet & Chandon, brings all the character of the Alps to the city through a spectacular winter cocktail menu. The options on offer include the fruity On the Slopes: Möet & Chandon Impérial, roasted strawberry puree and dried strawberry; the floral Snowed Under: Tanqueray export, Möet & Chandon Impérial, lavender syrup, lemon juice and icing sugar; the spiced Pining for You: Bulletin bourbon, Möet & Chandon Impérial, English breakfast tea, dried lemon, vanilla syrup and a cinnamon stick; and the sharp and citrusy Cabin Fever: Tanqueray gin, lemon juice, Möet & Chandon Impérial, Angostura bitters. 

The Alpine Lodge is at 100 Wardour Street Soho London W1F 0TN from 25^th November until 25^th December 2019. For more information or to book call 020 7314 4000 or 020 7314 4000 or visit the website here.

Satisfy your Narnia nostalgia at The Blind Pig

There’s no better time to be transported back to your childhood than Christmas, and at the Blind Pig, Jason Atherton is indulging all our magical memories by launching a Greatest Hits menu including celebrated cocktails from the “Long and Short Tails” menu, inspired by the nation’s favourite kids books. The speakeasy opened its secretive doors above Michelin-starred Social Eating House in 2013, and this list of 11 drinks is an homage to the award-winning bar’s most popular concoctions over the last seven years. Enticing mixes include the festive Mr Tumnus’ Tumnus Tipple Delight: Bombay Sapphire, Lanique rose, white chocolate, citrus, egg white, vanilla and ice shard served alongside a box of marshmallows; and – the only new entry to the menu – The Night Pear Before Christmas: William pear liqueur, Allegrini Valpolicella, lemon, sugar and “snow”, presented in a frosted champagne flute.

The Blind Pig is located at the Social Eating House 58 Poland Street W1F 7NR. For more information or to book call 020 7993 3251 or visit the website here.

Enjoy expert cocktail choreography at The Grill bar at The Dorchester

The Grill bar at the Dorchester only launched last month within one of London’s most iconic luxury hotels, but already it’s promising some of the capital’s most tantalising tipples for the festive season. Headed up by award-winning Senior Bartender Lucia Montanelli, this venue is perfect for making merry this December. Montanelli has crafted an elegant cocktail inspired by Tchaikovsky’s glistening ballet: The Nutcracker treats your palette to a delicate dance of Tia Maria, Crème De Cacao, Stolichnaya vodka, single cream, Grappa Di Poli and Amorosa Di Settembre. For a more exclusive experience, The Grill Bar at The Dorchester can be booked for private speciality cocktail masterclasses and wine pairing experiences.

The Grill Bar is located at the Dorchester Hotel 53 Park Lane Mayfair London W1K 1QA. For more information or to book call 020 7629 8888 or visit the website here.

Warm yourself with a classy cognac cocktail at Manetta’s Bar

For a sip of 1930s luxury, slip into one of the cosiest joints in Mayfair, Manetta’s Bar, where they serve up rich, indulgent concoctions within an equally opulent setting. The venue is tucked away within Fleming’s hotel, but this leather-upholstered hidden gem is worth a visit in itself, and yields great gifts this Christmas with its specially crafted festive offering, Mon Cheri. The cocktail consists of a blend of Remy Martin VSOP cognac, port, agave syrup, dashes of absinthe and dashes of Peychaud bitter. The glass garnished in stunning seasonal style with berry powder, a maraschino cherry and thyme.

Mon Cheri is available at Manetta’s Bar until 4^th January 2020. For more information or to book call 020 7016 5601 or visit the website here.

Elevate your eggnog at St James’s Bar

The recently renovated St James’s Bar at Sofitel Hotel has been transformed this winter under the theme of “Christmas Couture”. Expect decadent decorations inspired by the high fashion world and more importantly, a dazzling festive cocktail menu. Among the tipples on offer is the creamy and warming Milky Cat, the bartender’s drink of choice. The concoction is like Brandy Alexander meets egg nog: made up of Dupont Fine Calvados and Dubonnet, cream, egg yolk and cinnamon syrup, this fine glass is guaranteed to leave you purring.

St James’s Bar is located in the Sofitel hotel 8 Pall Mall London SW1Y 5NG. For more information or to book call 020 7747 2200 or visit the website here.

Rosamund Kelby