DRY JANUARY: WHERE TO GET THE BEST MOCKTAILS IN LONDON
WRITTEN BY JASMINE LEE KENNEDY
Goodbye and good riddance to bad booze (for one month, at least). Dry January is upon us, with many exchanging high-spirited cocktails with sugar-free soft drinks. However, this sober month doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom – there are plenty of bars all over London that cater for the alcohol-free. Here are the bars that we think have the best mocktail menus around.
Redemption
The aptly named Redemption bar calls itself the ‘healthiest bar-restaurant’, as they serve only vegan food and – more importantly – a completely alcohol-free bar. There are three branches, Notting Hill, Covent Garden and Old Street, but our favourite is certainly the latter due to the vast array of signature mocktails that they offer. For example, their Thai Martini sounds like an absolute treat; caleno juniper and inca berry tropical free spirit, muddled with basil, fresh ginger, lemongrass and cloudy apple. So, if you’re going to go alcohol-free, do it right and head to Redemption.
Redemption, 320 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9DR
The Rum Kitchen
A fairly new addition to Brixton, The Rum Kitchen has made a comfortable home for itself on Coldharbour lane and has become quite a staple for many South London cocktail lovers. They have an extensive menu, with over 100 cocktails available, and a lovely list of mocktails for those who don’t drink alcohol. These include fun takes on old classics, like the Pina Nolada and the Virgin Mojito as well as lots of other delicious sounding alcohol alternatives. This place is more than just its cocktails too, it’s also a great place to enjoy some Carribean food and a boogie.
The Rum Kitchen, 437 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, SW9 8LN.
Nightjar
Another fantastic spot for a non-alcoholic tipple is the speakeasy-style bar, Nightjar. They’re well known for their modern take on classic cocktails as well as their own innovative creations, so it’s no surprise that they have an exciting selection of mocktails too. Their suggestions are all made with variations of Seedlip, which is a delicious new brand of non-alcoholic distilled spirit. Head down for an evening of excellent jazz and blues and stay for the Seedgroni Sbagliato – which we are guessing is a brave and delicious take on the original Negroni, made with Seedlip, Three Spirit, geranium cordial and bitter lemon tonic.
Nightjar, 129 City Rd, Hoxton, EC1V 1JB
Mayfair 34
Although a little on the pricier side, Mayfair 34 is a strong contestant for the best mocktail spot in town. An incredible restaurant that serves up tasty plates of British and world meats and eats, they also have an evocative menu of cocktails to boot. And, lucky for you dry January-ers, they have a tasty list of ‘On the wagon’ cocktails too, which include the simple but sweet cocktails, such as the A Secret Garden, made with Seedlip, lavender cordial and lemon, and the Why Be A Stubborn Mule, which is made with Seedlip Spice, oak moss, lime and ginger beer. Just talking about them is making us thirsty!
Mayfair 34, 34 Grosvenor Square, S Audley St, Mayfair, W1K 2HD