Every year, I gather together this annual list of my favorite summer cocktails in London, I am blown away by the creativity across the bars in this fair city of mine and can’t believe how lucky we are.
I raise a toast to the mixologists and to Lush Life Podcast which celebrates its third year on June 6. If it weren’t for them, then there wouldn’t be a podcast!
Summer Cocktails in London
Frozen Banana Ramos | Murder Inc.
I love all of them at the Cocktail Trading Company and now there are two. Well, to be exact, Murder Inc is their new bar, hidden down one of London’s famously in-the-know drinking streets. A step inside and you’ll swear you were in your own black & white gangster film.
The banana is not used enough in cocktails so I am over the moon that the Frozen Banana Ramos combines Jägermeister, coconut cream, egg white, citrus, stout and banana milk (!) into one stylish banana milkshake.
French Tonique | Monsieur Le Duck
It may have a slightly silly name, but the cocktails at Monsieur Le Duck are anything but laughable. Now open in Clerkenwell, come along and sip what could become your favorite summer tipple, the French Tonique – a combo of Gin Chambord, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Lime, and Light Tonic!
Oye Como Va | Quaglino’s Bar
Summer cocktails circa 1929 is what Quaglino’s is going for this season. Head down Mexico way for their Oye Como Va with Tequila Olmeca Blanco of course, but also Illegal Mezcal Joven and a splash of Manzanilla Sherry, Lime and chilli cordial. Olé!
Jalisco Sky | Skylight
A perennial favorite, the Skylight Rooftop at Tobacco Dock is now open for the summer. Views of the entire London sky along with delicious cocktails make for a long night of lounging! Their Jalisco Sky mixes Aqua Riva Reposado Tequila, Marie Blizzard APRY, Maraschino, Lemon juice, and Sugar – all topped with a toasted marshmallow. Is anyone else thinking a tequila s’more??
Sun Sun Sun | American Bar
My favorite Beatles song is Here Comes the Sun by the legend that was George Harrison, so it was destiny that I would love the Sun Sun Sun at The Savoy’s American Bar. Served in the sexiest of glassware, the Sun Sun Sun is most elegant with its melee of Bombay Gin, Lime, Egg White, White Creme de Menthe, Orange Blossom and Yuzu Wine.
Dove | Heads + Tails
Way up in West Hampstead, Heads + Tails is the garden bar to choose for their Dove, a masterclass in spritz making – the El Gobernador Pisco sends you right down to South America and the heady Jasmine cordial reminds you of every hot place you may have journeyed. Mix that with Prosecco and you have a summer spritz.
Enrique the 5th | Bobby Fitzpatrick
Also in West Hampstead, Bobby Fitzpatrick is calling up the seventies with their Enrique the 5th. Getting the most out of the pineapple is their M.O. this season, using Vida mezcal and Aperol as a backdrop.
OSLO Spritz | Oslo Hackney
Summers in Scandinavia last forever and, so to celebrate these long nights, the perfect bar is OSLO! Going Italian with its own Oslo Spritz using Italicus, Prosecco, Angostura Orange Bitters, Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters & Soda and ushering in those lazy days sailing down the fjords!