Cocktails are a beloved beverage option across the world. While classic concoctions like Manhattans, cosmopolitans, and margaritas can be ordered in just about every major city across the globe, others are specific to key locales.
Take New York, New Orleans, and Paris, for example. New York and New Orleans are renowned for having some of the most iconic bars in the U.S., whereas Paris is responsible for the origin of the delectable French 75 cocktail.
As popular as these cities are, however, when it comes to cocktails, none quite compare to London—AKA the cocktail capital of the world.
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“From the craft gin renaissance to over-the-top garnishes, London has always been at the forefront of mixology,” says Denis Broci, the bar manager at Claridge’s Hotel, an iconic UK destination for cocktails. “London is home to some of the most innovative bars in the world. The city’s talent is shaking up modern classics with playful twists [and that's] truly what makes London’s cocktail scene so distinct.”
Whether you’ve been to London yourself or are hoping to get a taste of the city’s cocktails before making the trip, Broci is here to help. Keep reading for his top recommendations.
The Most Popular London Bars
Inclined to book a flight to the UK to check out the London cocktail scene for yourself? Broci says that some of the city’s most iconic bars can be found at The Connaught, Claridge’s, and The Berkeley.
“From the newly debuted The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s and The Red Room at The Connaught, to the beloved The Berkeley Bar and the World’s Best Bar, The Connaught Bar, Maybourne Hotel Group has an impressive roster of award-winning bars to choose from,” he says.
A Taste of London in the U.S.
As exciting as booking a trip to London may be, not everyone has the time or resources to make it happen right now. Luckily, a small slice of London is waiting to be discovered in New York City (and if you don't live near NYC, this is one event that's worth the trip).
From Monday, March 28 through Wednesday, March 30, 2022, Claridge’s, London’s legendary Mayfair hotel, will debut a cocktail residency at Dante West Village, sister bar to Dante, which has been ranked as one of the World’s Best Bars. In fact, Broci will be there himself, alongside one of Claridge’s other masters of mixology, Matteo Carretta, to whip up innovative London cocktails.
London Cocktails to Make at Home
No time to travel? Don’t fret! You can whip up delicious London cocktails at home. “The martini, the Negroni, and the vesper are three of our most popular cocktails,” Broci says, outlining each of the recipes, below—all of which can be found in Claridge’s: The Cocktail Book, which is set to debut on April 5, 2022.
Claridge's Martini Recipe:
- 60 mL Claridge’s London Dry Gin or Ketel One Vodka
- 12.5 mL Dolin Dry Vermouth
- 1 dash of orange bitters
- Lemon twist or olive, to garnish
“Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass, then strain into a chilled coupe,” Broci instructs. “Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.”
Claridge's Negroni Recipe:
- 25 mL Plymouth Gin
- 25 mL Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
- Orange slice, to garnish
“Build the ingredients in a chilled rock glass over an ice block, then stir to dilute,” Broci says. “Garnish with a slice of orange.”
Claridge's Vesper Recipe:
- 50 mL Plymouth Gin
- 20 mL Ketel One Vodka
- 10 mL Lillet Blanc
- Lemon twist, to garnish
“In a cocktail shaker, shake all the ingredients with ice cubes, then strain into a chilled coupe,” Broci instructs. “Garnish with a lemon twist.”
Hoping to add even more London cocktails to your repertoire? Consider buying a copy of Glamorous Cocktails: Fashionable mixes from iconic London bars or London Cocktails: Over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Heart of Britannia. Happy mixing!
Rebecca R. Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area. She writes for a variety of publications, primarily covering women’s interest topics. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her Jack-Chi, Cash, sweating her way through an Orangetheory class, or taking it easy with family and friends
