You may have recently read about Ruby Lo offering a cocktail containing blood. Yes, real blood. Admittedly, it was pig’s blood not human blood – THAT would be gross. Still, it certainly gained them a lot of attention. It was on offer for one night only a couple of weeks ago in honour of the new show True Blood screening in the UK. I have to admit, I wasn’t tempted to swing by and try it, but it did get me thinking about unusual cocktails at London bars.
I don’t know about you, but I’m bored of the ‘classics’. If I so much as look at another mojito I swear I’ll turn into a mint leaf. Maybe it’s because, as a bar reviewer, I spend much of my time looking at menus in cocktail bars trying to find something to capture my imagination. Often, there are a few things to get my mouth watering – chocolate cocktails at London bars being a favourite – but rarely do I get excited.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about pretentious cocktails like the Treasure Chest at Mahiki or the £35,000 cocktail at Mo*vida, complete with diamond ring – although these certainly are unusual. I’m talking about cocktails with a twist that Average Joes like you and me can enjoy. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t got £35,000 stuffed in my mattress ready for a night out.
I went to Aquum on Friday night and was intrigued by their Fool’s Gold cocktail – an interesting concoction containing Champagne and, well, gold. Yes, real gold. Unfortunately, on the night I attended they had all sold out – golden cocktails for under a tenner are popular, after all. But it certainly ticked my unusual cocktails at London bars box.
I especially loved the Sharbat Champagne Cocktail (£10) at Cellar Bar – part of the Dockmasters Indian Restaurant. Comprising rose liqueur and cardamom infused syrup mixed with Henriot MV Champagne, it was stunningly presented in a glass with a whole pink rose head floating on top. It was so beautiful and unusual that I have remembered it despite going to about two thousand cocktail bars since.
Finally, I recently had an interesting email ping into my inbox about a Tanqueray cocktail at new Islington bar 69 Colebrooke Row. Labelled the ‘world’s most intense cocktail’ AKA the Flavour Mule, it’s a taste experience that involves a flavour amplifier being sprayed into your mouth to increase the flavours coming through from the cocktail. I’m so intrigued, I’m popping down there next week to check it out. Speaking of 69 Colebrooke Row, they are also doing a No 5 Champagne cocktail containing a couple of drops of Chanel No 5 perfume from which it takes its name.
So come on guys, leave the daiquiris and the mojitos on the bar and open your mind to unusual cocktails at London bars. What’s your favourite?
it might be a good idea to spend an hour or two in a very nice restaurant down the road from me, called 'Saf' on Curtain Rd, Shorditch. It is one of the most ethical restaurants in the UK let alone London, and tries to source as much of it's ingredients (spirits and wine inc) from organic and biodynamic farms. I suggest trying a jasmine pearl martini or ask the bar tenders to make something to your taste.
give it a go, as an ex-cocktail barman I was thouroughly impressed.
There just aren't enough non-Japanese bars serving sake, but Harrison's in Balham shakes an exotic lychee mix, which is utterly glam and only £8. The Beijing Dream has sake, lychee liqueur, lychee syrup, lemongrass & ginger - so well balanced it's untrue.