Sure, everyone loves a bit of mulled wine on a crisp December day, but to really get your festive on and celebrate, Christmas cocktails are the way to go!
Whether you're looking for something extra festive loaded with glitter and candy canes, or you just want to treat yourself to a sophisticated yuletide mocktail, there's a drink waiting for you.
Here's a look at what's on the menu in South Bank this December
A festive visit to London’s favourite spooky experience ends at Mrs Lovett’s tavern which has been given a Christmas upgrade especially for the season. After a thrilling journey through London’s gruesome history, end your visit with one of Mrs Lovett’s yuletide cocktails including the Mistletoe Martini, Death By Christmas and Tipsy Elf Punch.
MUST-TRY: The Death by Christmas
Humbug is this year’s coolest underground festive experience. An ‘immersive Christmas dive bar’ hidden inside the Leake Street graffiti tunnel, signature Humbug serves include ‘The Grinch’ (rum, peach schnapps, blue curacao and pineapple juice) and the ‘Bah F*****g Humbug’ (rum, chocolate liqueur, oat milk, crushed Oreos and whipped cream, topped with a mince pie).
MUST-TRY: The Grinch
Just because you don’t drink alcohol does not mean you need to miss out on enjoying special drinks this Christmas! The low and no range changes often at Forza Wine at National Theatre and their latest, the White Tea Paloma is a classic. Made with white peony tea, grapefruit juice and syrup, the salt/lemon zest rim is the perfect finish.
MUST-TRY: The Paloma mocktail
Open until the end of January, the OXO Tower Restaurant’s winter terrace pop-up is this year hosted in partnership with Casamigos tequila. Cocktails on the special festive-inspired menu include the warming Ticket to Paradise which combines Casamigos blanco with apricot brandy, gingerbread and apple juice.
MUST-TRY: The Ticket to Paradise
Always in fiesta spirit, Las Iguanas at Southbank Centre has three limited edition cocktails on the menu this season; the Frosty Cola (Havana Club Especial Rum, Absolut Vanilla Vodka, orgeat syrup, bitters, lemon and lemonade), a Spiced Cranberry Rum Punch, and the ridiculously festive looking Christmas Spiced Coconut Mojito.
MUST-TRY: The Christmas spiced coconut mojito
The Rosarium restaurant and bar at The Sidings is serving up some typically spectacular-looking cocktails this December. Try the Red-Nosed Spritz made with cranberry reduction, pomegranate molasses and prosecco, the Mistletoe Margarita that comes with a coconut and nutmeg twist, or the delicious Salted Caramel Sling.
MUST-TRY: The Red-Nosed Spritz
At Lyaness, officially one of the Best Bars in the World, Champagne comes, of course, with a unique twist. “A celebratory take on the notion of death”, this rich, dark and fruity cocktail is a typically complex mix that includes a brewed sarsaparilla cordial, elements of passionfruit, guava and white tea, Porter’s Tropical Old Tom, Recaredo Terrers Brut Nature 2018 and the Lyaness’ signature Death Bitters.
MUST-TRY: The Black Champagne
If Terry's made negronis they'd taste just like this! The Chocolate Orange Negroni makes its last run at The Lost Property speakeasy, a fun little bar hidden beneath Waterloo Station (you can find the entrance inside a phone booth inside BrewDog) this festive season. The creation of award-winning mixologist Rich Woods (aka The Cocktail Guy), cocktails quite simply do not get more Christmassy than this. Fingers crossed for a cream egg version for Easter...!
MUST-TRY: The Chocolate Orange Negroni
The Poles know a thing or two about pairing top-notch vodka and winter weather and Polish bar and restaurant Mamuska!, just off Leake Street, has one of the biggest vodka selections in town. This winter’s signature vodka cocktail is the Cherry Frostbite made with Soplica Cherry vodka, zesty lime, and maraschino liqueur.
MUST-TRY: The Cherry Frostbite
For mocktail drinkers, Skylon's Naughty & Spice (zero-alcohol Caleño Dark and Spicy rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine) tastes just like the real thing. Meanwhile, this year's festive season alcohol sponsor is Chambord. Try the Skylon take on eggnog, shaken with a dash of Chambord Liqueur and a generous sprinkling of freshly grated nutmeg.
MUST-TRY: The Naughty & Spice mocktail
