From Christmas classics with an elegant twist to over-the-top kitsch stunners, these boozy serves prove that London's bars are fully embracing the festive spirit. Here are 10 of the cheeriest cocktails you can order in the city right now...

Terry's Chocolate Orange Negroni

Discount Suit Company

Less whack and unwrap, more knock it back. Sexy Shoreditch hideaway Discount Suit Company is no stranger to nostalgic flavours (their Solero cocktail was a major summertime hit), and now they're giving the bold and bitter Italian aperitivo a cosy upgrade. This Negroni riff is made with orange peel and chocolate orange-infused Warner's Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and cacao bitters - and garnished with a slice of Terry's, of course. Wicked.

29 Wentworth St, London E1 7TB

White Chocolate | Oolong

Silverleaf

It's a Snowball, but not as you snow it. Leave it to the legends at Pan Pacific London's sleek AF bar Silverleaf to create an incredibly swish version of this kitsch Christmas classic, featuring Nikka Days whisky, salted egg yolk, oolong and white chocolate. It's rich and complex - a spot-on balance of sweet and salty that'll turn your holiday spirit levels ALL the way up.

3rd Floor, Devonshire House, 3 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4JX

Not The Buttons

Common Decency

The official launch of the NoMad's underground drinking den Common Decency was one of autumn's hottest openings, and the bar's team are keeping the merry momentum going with their Holiday Spectacular pop-up and a limited edition menu of festive cocktails. We're all about Not The Buttons, a mix of bourbon, cortado sherry, ginger, lemon and brown butter, served with a gingerbread man and icing so you can get your frosting freak on while ya sip. 

28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW

After Eight Stinger

Hawksmoor

No Christmas dinner is complete without raiding the box of After Eights your gran keeps in her cupboard - and this season, no Hawksmoor steakhouse feast is complete without one of these bad boys. The After Eight Stinger brings together Martell Cognac infused with cacao nibs, crème de menthe and peppermint syrup, for a drink that's a postprandial dream come true. We don't recommend trying to slide this one down your face though (if you know, you know...).

Locations across London

Panettone Milk Punch

Lost Property Office

If you manage to find this intimate speakeasy tucked away in BrewDog Waterloo, you'll be rewarded with this lush serve. It's a boozy version of the traditional Italian sweet bread, but this ain't your nonna's panettone - it's a clarified milk punch that packs in loadsa indulgent flavours, made with Seven Tails Spiced Brandy, tonka, almond milk and citrus. Buon Natale, bambino!

Unit G, Waterloo Station, 01 The Sidings, London SE1 7BH

Cookies & Dreams

Callooh Callay

Leave this version of cookies and milk out for Santa this year, and you're a shoe-in for the nice list. The team at Shoreditch stalwart Callooh Callay have crafted this cheery cherry-laced, biscuit-based concoction, complete with Aber Falls whisky, St Germain elderflower liqueur, cookie-infused cream, Vestal Cherry Vodka and cherry shrub. Yes please. 

65 Rivington St, London EC2A 3AY

Hot Walnut Buttered Rum

Nightjar

Dark and moody, Nightjar's Carnaby location is one of the cosiest places to catch up over a cocktail this winter - especially when that cocktail is a Hot Walnut Buttered Rum. This fuzzy blanket of a drink brings together Eminente Reserva Rum, walnut butter, PX sherry, roasted coffee beans, pecan maple syrup and Empirical's Ayuuk Spirit for some pure Christmas magic.

Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PH

Snow White

Christina's Shoreditch

For a holiday tipple that'll leave you buzzing, jingle all the way to Christina's at The Mondrian Shoreditch for this caffeinated serve. Snow White is a lush mix of oat milk, vodka, coffee liqueur, caramel liqueur, amaro, The Norfolk PX and pine cone syrup - like if a White Russian went on a walk through a snow-capped forest.  

5 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3PT

Merry Cherry

Le Magritte

This hidden gem of a hotel bar in Mayfair has crafted a whole list of brand-new cocktails especially for the winter months, and the Merry Cherry is the Christmas-ready star of the show. With Gouverneur Rum quail egg, double cream and cherry liquor, it's frothy, rich and indulgent - which also happens to describe the lifestyle we're manifesting for 2023. 

The Beaumont, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1K 6TF

Darling Fields of May

Scarfes Bar

Feel like hibernating? Snuggle up in an armchair at Rosewood London's Scarfes Bar, soak in the sexy library vibes and order the colourful Darling Fields of May. This sophisticated serve mixes Balvenie 12, wheatgrass, apricot, St Germain elderflower liqueur and verjus. Christmas mode: activated!

Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN

Want more festive cocktails? Check out these epic seasonal pop-ups.

Published 07/12/2022