In Good Spirits

Dirty Martini – Chocolate Martini (£8)
This Covent Garden Cocktail bar serves supreme cocktails in a decadent setting. Take for example the Chocolate Martini; made with Absolut Vanilia Vodka, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur and Crème de Cacao, its ingredients combine to form the perfect, grown-up, chilled chocolate milk. Next, the cocktail is shaken with cream and cocoa. Not only does it looks like liquid chocolate, but it tastes even better. It is even possible to enjoy this beauty at half price, at the extended happy hours, which entertain customers until a glorious 10pm.

Good Godfrey’s – Refined Madam (£12)
If the Sex And The City ladies would have known about this cocktail, the cosmopolitan would never have become their favourite. The Refined Madam is pure, unadulterated, '40s glamour . It is presented on a silver tray, sprinkled with edible rose petals, served next to an elegant perfume bottle with a pink spritz. A decadent mix of Tanqueray No. 10, rose liqueur, fresh lime juice, Waldorf-made cardamom syrup and lavender bitters makes this truly a refreshing, beautiful cocktail for an elegant madam of our time.

Good Godfrey’s – Astor Hip Flask (£15)
The Astor Hip Flask is the more masculine version of the Refined Madam. It’s universally known that most men are averse to cocktails, often operating under the presumtion that they’ll end up with something pink, fruity and with a tropical umbrella. The Astor Hip Flask on the other hand, is a bourbon-based cocktail, presented in a tough and little bit naughty hip flask. Flavour wise, a cocktail can hardly get more masculine. It’s other ingredients are kept a secret, but it is said that they’re aged in an oak barrel for at least a month.

LAB/Academy – Passion8 (£7.80)
LAB is run by the world’s elite of mixologists. They have created the Passion8, a cocktail mixed with Ocho Blanc tequila, fresh lime, passion fruit, crème de Mûre and homemade honey water. It looks like a frozen see-through, fruity popsicle, full of fresh and sugary flavours. This summer, the Passion8 should certainly be on your top list to try, but for their inspiring creations prices at LAB are low, making it possible for everyone to enjoy at least another one! 

London Cocktail Club – Bacon & Egg Coupet
Ever heard of a cocktail made out of bacon? It sounds like every bacon lover’s dream, which the London Cocktail Club has made come true. The Bacon & Egg Coupet is certainly a hearty cocktail and is without doubt suitable for the uptight man. It’s shaken with lemon, sugar and egg white, combined with the main ingredient, mouth-watering bourbon fat, washed with smoked bacon. Instead of a strawberry or tropical umbrella, expect a stick of smoked bacon.

London Cocktail Club – Squid Ink Sour (£9)
The Squid Ink Sour is certainly a daring cocktail. It's jet black, intriguing texture invites you to find out more and take a sip. The cocktail is made up from tequila shaken with squid ink, citrus juices, sugar and egg whites. Squid ink itself tastes a bit salty, mixed with the bitterness of tequila and the acidic flavour of citrus fruits, this is one hell of a different cocktail.

Photos by Simon Wellington