It’s that time again!
My favorite Holiday Cocktails in London are on the menu – so time to head out and enjoy them before the season is over.
Last year this time, A Lush Life Manual wasn’t even born and now we have a website, almost 60 podcasts, and over 11,000 downloads.
I raise a glass (or two or three) to all of you and your support!
(If you want to get truly festive, listen to this while you read!)
12 DRUMMERS DRUMMING
I have to start with my friends at the Cocktail Trading Company. The Cobbler features their own sherry blend, Glenmorangie Lasanta Scotch Whisky, mixed fruit and their own claret spiced syrup. It is highly tasty and super seasonal.
11 PIPERS PIPING
Bluebird has made one of the prettiest of Christmas cocktails. Their Gingle All the Way mixes ginger wine with Belvedere vodka, then adds cinnamon syrup, homemade mulled wine, lemon juice, fresh fig, and is garnished with frozen cranberry and rosemary.
10 LORDS A LEAPING
Could anything beat an Old Fashioned? I think the R&B Distillers Gingerbread Old Fashioned just might! Whisky, Ginger Liqueur, Fentimans House of Broughton Ginger Syrup and Angostura bitters. Like a gingerbread cookie in liquid form! You can only find this at Usquabae in Edinburgh so head up there Londoners!
9 LADIES DANCING
Skylon is taking you on a journey through the galaxy. The Venus is just one of the cocktails from the Night Sky Menu that was created in partnership with Ciroc Vodka. Add Truffle Oil, Cacao Bianco and Prosecco to Ciroc and you have the brightest star in the sky.
8 MAIDS A MILKING
Dickie’s Bar, right off of Park Lane, has a cocktail that is warm Hot Waterfalls has Laird’s Applejack, Lustau Brandy de Jerez, Madeira, Pumpkin, Oat, Black Tea, and Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters – if this doesn’t warm the cockles, I am not sure what will!
7 Swans a Swimming
Charlotte’s W5, in Ealing, have joined with Sipsmith to bring their winter terrace to life. They have a few wintery cocktails on the menu but my favorite was the delightfully fruity take on mulled wine, Winter Sloe Gin featuring Sipsmith Sloe Gin, cinnamon, star anise and apple!
6 Geese a Laying
Can the Cosmo get any better? It can when you call it the Festive Cosmopolitan and start with mulled spiced cranberry juice homemade by the team at the Royal Lancaster London. The vodka, triple sec and lemon juice also help!
5 Gold Rings
Is there anywhere else in London that you can get your haircut while sipping a cocktail? Only do have the folks at Blade Hairclubbing have a drinks menu,, this season their holiday cocktail is the OMG Boozy Hot Chocolate made up of organic cocoa powder, tahini, honey, vanilla, Ceylon cinnamon, and Stagg Jr. Straight Bourbon. They even have dark, orange, chilli, matcha or milk varieties with alcohol-free and vegan options available!
4 CALLING BIRDS
Another Sloe Gin favorite at Oslo in Hackney. Their Sloe Winter is made with Plymouth Sloe Gin this time, Winter Berries syrup, Rosemary Stem, Orange Bitters and Prosecco,
3 French Hens
In 1927, Monsieur Georges Gaudin was the first Frenchman to serve escargots to the Brits. Thank goodness there are no escargots in their Christmas cocktail. G’Vine Gin have collaborated with L’Escargot to create Smoked Mulled Cider with Cidre Breton, G’Vine Gin Floraison, Spices and Smoked Toffee Apple! (Check back next week for the Lush Life Podcast with G’Vine’s Brand Ambassador Jamie Campbell.)
2 Calling Birds
I don’t know why the Brits don’t love eggnog – it’s as Christmasy as their holiday songs by Slade, Wizzard, Boney M., and other! Bobby Fitzpatrick has taken the classic Egg Nog and revamped it into the Snow Ho Ho – a creamy blend of Spiced Rum, Rum Chata, Demerara Sugar, and milk!
AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE
Come done to the Tower of London or Hampton Court ice rink and order the Rum Hot Chocolate! Featuring The Duppy Share Rum, Galaxy chocolate powder, hot milk and topped with cinnamon powder – exactly what you need after falling on your bum for the last hour while trying to remember how to skate on ice!
The Lush Guide to our fav Christmas Cocktails
- Cocktail Trading Company
- Bluebird
- Usquabae (Edinburgh) (closed)
- Skylon
- Dickie’s Bar
- Charlotte’s W5
- Royal Lancaster London
- Blade Hairclubbing (moved to New York!)
- Oslo
- L’Escargot
- Bobby FitzPatrick
- Tower of London Ice Rink or Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
*All of the photos were provided by the bars.
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