Seven cool cocktails for hot days and where to drink them
[Photography By Marcus Dawes]
What to drink and where to drink it. Euan Ferguson picks seven refreshing serves to keep you cool in hot weather.
1. Likkel Rascal at Communion
It’s summer all year over in Jamaica (well, compared to London, at least) and this punchy island-inspired pickme- up brings the Caribbean to Camberwell. As well as rum (aged and spiced), it’s made with sharp Jamaican sorrel, pineapple, nutmeg syrup and orange juice. 29 Camberwell Church St, SE5 8TR.
2. Pea-Lini at City Social
Halfway up Tower 42, City Social lists ‘British summer’ as an ingredient in this unusual concoction; it’s just an edible flower garnish, but the pea cordial, absinthe, spearmint and prosecco bring a gardenfresh zing. Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, EC2N 1HQ.
3. Cynar Gin Fizz at Frank’s Café
In Peckham, summer means Frank’s, the open-air café at the top of a sculpture-filled parking structure. Its cocktails are all pleasingly uncomplicated – the bitter Cynar (made with artichokes) is mellowed out with gin, lemon and prosecco. Tenth floor, Peckham Multistorey Car Park, 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4ST.
4. Pepe’s Pisco at Ceviche
With ginseng, hibiscus, juniper and elderflower, Londonmade aperitif Kamm & Sons is a sunset-hued distillation of a hot day. Peruvian bar Ceviche adds orange-infused Pisco and bitter lemon to it for a carnival of flavour. 17 Frith St, W1D 4RG.
5. Tuberose Collins at Grain Store
Tuberose – no, it’s not a medieval disease, but a fragrant flowering plant. Sit outside Grain Store on fountain-flecked Granary Square and sip one of these innovative infusions, which liven up a traditional gin Tom Collins with a splash of perfumed tuberose syrup. 1-3 Stable St, N1C 4AB.
6. Edwina’s Affair at The Permit Room, Dishoom
Far easier to digest than the actual Edwina’s affair, this twist on a julep mixes gin, rose and cardamom with fresh mint and a horticultural scattering of candied rose petals. 7 Boundary St, E2 7JE.
7. Riot Cup Number One at Peg + Patriot
Pimm’s No 1 equals summer, but at new Bethnal Green bar Peg + Patriot, the classic party cup is updated with a whole new scientific equation. Sugar distilled from Pimm’s is rehydrated with white port, then acidic cucumber phosphate is added, before the whole thing is topped up with ginger ale and garnished with borage leaves and a few pea shoots. The result is stunning: summer 2014 in a glass. Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, E2 9NF.
For more cocktail lovin’, take a look at three of London’s best rum cocktails.