TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best London Beverage Types
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Contrary to its name, this cocktail does not have much in common with a classic Martini. Porn Star is a version that combines vanilla-flavored vodka, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice, and passion fruit purée, while a shot of Champagne (sometimes Prosecco) is served on the side.
To prepare it, all the ingredients, except sparkling wine, are poured in a shaker filled with ice and are shaken, and then strained into a chilled glass. The cocktail was created in the early 2000s by Douglas Ankrah at The Townhouse bar. Ankrah initially named it Maverick but decided to change it as the drink reminded him of something a porn star would drink.
Imperial stout is a strong and opaque dark beer that was first brewed in London, but which is mostly associated with Russia, Baltic countries, and recently with the United States. Modern imperial stouts will typically range from deep red to dark brown.
They are full-bodied, rich, complex, and intense with typical flavors of roasted malt, dark and dried fruit, chocolate, and coffee. Most varieties will be high in alcohol, typically between 8 to 12% ABV, and they will mostly be high in hops and bitter hop flavors.
THE BEST Imperial stout Ales
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Espresso Martini is a rich and creamy cocktail made with a combination of vodka, espresso, sugar syrup, and coffee liqueur. All ingredients are first mixed in a shaker with ice, and then strained into a Martini glass. There should be a nice froth on top, which is usually garnished with a few coffee beans.
This cocktail was invented by Dick Bradsell, a bartending guru, who first named it Vodka Espresso, and then Pharmaceutical Stimulant. He first prepared it at Fred’s Club in the late 1980s for a young model who is now world-famous.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Bramble is a spring cocktail that was created by Dick Bradsell in 1984 in London. The cocktail consists of dry gin, lemon juice, sweet blackberry liqueur, sugary syrup, and crushed ice. It is named after blackberry bushes which are commonly referred to as brambles.
This refreshing cocktail has a strong aroma of fresh berries such as blackberries or raspberries. It is prepared by stirring ingredients with crushed ice in an old-fashioned glass, then pouring blackberry liqueur over the combination in order to create a marbling effect.
London Dry gin style is a quality designation for a specific gin variety in which all the flavors have to be natural and added through distillation. This gin is also distilled from a neutral base spirit that is enriched with various botanicals.
Juniper berries are indispensable for most London dry examples, while other additions usually include citrus peel, angelica root, and coriander seeds. Most traditional gin varieties falling in this category will have dominant juniper flavor as well as herbaceous and citrus notes, though several modern interpretations step away from the conventional approach.
THE BEST London Dry gin Spirits
Opihr Gin
Opihr Aromatic Bitters Gin
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding 2022
Tanqueray
Tanqueray London Dry Gin
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold 2024, 2023
Gordon's London Dry Gin
Gordon’s Travellers Edition
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold 2021, 2019
Isle of Skye Distillers
Isle of Skye 57° Skye Earth & Sea London Dry Gin
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding 2023
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Tom Collins is a classic cocktail hailing from London. It's made with a combination of gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and soda water poured into an ice-filled glass. It is believed that this refreshing drink was created by the head waiter at a London restaurant, and the drink was named after him.
Although it was originally made with jenever, these days the cocktail should ideally be made with Old Tom Gin, which is a bit sweeter than London Dry Gin used for John Collins. The first recipe for Tom Collins was printed in Jerry Thomas' book The Bartender's Guide in 1876.
VARIATIONS OF Tom Collins
This gin-based aperitif is officially classified as fruit cup—a beverage that is meant to be mixed into a long drink. It was invented in 1840 by a London oyster bar owner James Pimm who first offered it to his guests as a health tonic.
Although the recipe is not known, the original Pimm’s No. 1 is based on gin while its characteristic flavor comes from an infusion of a secret combination of herbs and spices. Through history, other spirit bases were used, but could never catch up with the popularity of the original No 1.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Buck’s Fizz is an English cocktail made with a combination of champagne and orange juice, where the ratio should be 2:1, unlike the Mimosa, which is typically made with equal parts champagne and orange juice. The cocktail is served neat and undiluted in a champagne flute, and it can be garnished with an orange twist.
It was invented in the 1920s by Malachy McGarry at Buck’s Club in London, hence the name. Nowadays, Buck’s Fizz is especially popular at weddings, and it is sometimes used as a hangover cure.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
John Collins is an English cocktail made with a combination of dry gin, sugar, lemon juice, and carbonated water. To prepare it, all ingredients are poured into a highball glass filled with ice, then stirred and garnished with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.
However, there are also many references where John Collins is made with bourbon instead of gin. It is believed that the cocktail was invented in the 19th century by a headwaiter at Limmer’s Old House, a popular London hotel at the time.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
White Lady is an English cocktail made with a combination of gin, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice. In order to prepare it, all ingredients should be shaken with ice, then strained into a large cocktail glass. Many people like to add egg whites and sugar syrup when making the cocktail, which can be garnished with a lemon zest twist, if desired.
There are two theories about the origin of White Lady – one says that Harry MacElhone prepared the first version at London’s Ciro’s Club in 1919, when it consisted of equal parts triple sec, crème de menthe, and lemon juice, and the version we know today was also made by MacElhone in 1929 at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, while the other theory says the cocktail was invented in the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London by Harry Craddock, who supposedly named the drink after Zelda Fitzgerald, a platinum blonde.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best London Beverages
Jasmine Pearls by Flora Tea is a premium green tea that has been carefully hand-rolled into small pearl shapes, which unfurl beautifully when brewed. This exquisite tea is infused with the delicate fragrance of jasmine blossoms, creating a refreshing and aromatic flavor profile.
The Jasmine Pearls provide a delicate, floral taste that pairs wonderfully with light dishes or can be enjoyed on its own as a soothing, aromatic beverage. The high-quality craftsmanship and unique presentation make it an ideal choice for tea connoisseurs.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021
Great Taste Awards - 2 Stars
2019
Known for its rich, naturally sweet flavor, this rooibos tea is perfect for those who enjoy a caffeine-free, aromatic brew. Each tea bag is filled with high-quality rooibos leaves, offering a smooth, mellow taste with subtle earthy and woody undertones.
Ideal for any time of day, rooibos is known for its calming properties and health benefits, including being rich in antioxidants.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2018
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Rum Gold Trophy
2023
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2022
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gin Gold Trophy
2022
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2024
The Vodka Masters - Master & Taste Master
2023
Teapigs Tung Ting Oolong is a type of oolong tea offered by Teapigs, a company known for its commitment to quality and ethical sourcing. This particular tea is named after the Tung Ting mountain region in Taiwan, which is renowned for its oolong teas.
Teapigs Tung Ting Oolong is characterized by its gentle oxidation process, which strikes a balance between green and black teas, offering a unique flavor profile that is both floral and slightly creamy. The tea leaves are typically rolled into tight balls, which unfold gracefully when steeped, releasing a rich aroma and a clear, light golden liquid.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
Pu - Erh Royal Palace tea from Tea Shirt is a premium, award-winning pu-erh tea that stands out for its unique and rich flavor profile. Made from carefully selected organic pu-erh leaves, this tea undergoes a traditional fermentation process that imparts deep, earthy, and woody flavors, complemented by a slight natural sweetness.
The tea offers a smooth, full-bodied experience, making it perfect for those who enjoy more robust, aged teas. Tea Shirt Teas is committed to sustainability, and this tea comes in eco-friendly, recyclable packaging, reflecting their dedication to environmental responsibility.
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2018
AWARDS
World's Best Tea Liqueur - Winner
2024
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
AWARDS
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
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