Launched in 2010, London Cocktail Week has become the biggest festival of its kind in the world; a signature drink prepared by each bar is priced at just £7 with the purchase of a wristband, making it a cheap night out and a celebration of all the cocktails the city has to offer.
Around 300 of London’s top bars are participating in the festival this year, and at just £15, the wristband is by far the most affordable way to explore the city’s elite cocktail culture.
Each participating establishment has created a specialty drink to tempt even the most seasoned drinkers to try something new. There is something for everyone, from the Santiago De Cuba Rum-based drinks served at Be At One to the dry gin-based martinis prepared at Barts with delicious homemade mandarin liqueur.
We visited a few bars in Covent Garden to sample their signature drinks and some of the unusual and unique cocktails that were offered during the event.
Visit Be At One in Covent Garden for the “Lyceum Collins,” a delicious and pleasant concoction of Cuban rum, blue Caracao Liqueur, lime juice, and sugar syrup. We gave this cocktail an 8-out-of-10 for consistency and a 6-out-of-10 for strength. It is a good day-time beverage that’s packed with a cooling kick.
Head to The Little Cocktail Bar in Covent Garden to the Stoli cocktail van if you want to be more daring with your £7 cocktail option. We sampled the incredibly flavorful and potent Blackberry Mint Mule. It was a venue that did well in the drunkability department, achieving a 9-out-of-10. The staff were also very friendly.
Around London, there are additional Little Cocktail Villages that each offer a distinct cocktail for £7 with a wristband. Belgravia, Borough Yards, and Devonshire Square are among the locations.
Go to Soho’s Kingly Court to Cahoots if you truly want to go above and wow your cocktail aficionado friends. A subterranean bar decorated in a 1940’s style blitz design transports you back in time.
The “Guerilla” cocktail is being offered this week, a mixture of Tanqueray, Lillet Blanc Akashi tai Ginjo Yaz shul, and Japanese rice wine that been infused with nori seaweed. We gave the ambience at this bar a well deserved 10/10, and the cocktail received a very strong 9/10.
Grab your wristband and start exploring because the festival only runs until October 23rd. Our verdict is it is worth the £15, additionally concessionary wristbands are being offered to people who are working within the hospitality industry at no extra cost!
Featured image by LicorBierao via Pixabay.