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5 Cocktails You Must Try in London on World Cocktail Day 2025

Raise your glass, London — World Cocktail Day is just around the corner on May 12, and what better way to celebrate than by sipping your way through the city’s finest bars? Whether you're a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or just looking to elevate your usual Friday night, these handpicked drinks offer more than just a buzz — they offer an experience. From theatrical martinis to fermented pink froth, here are five unforgettable cocktails to try in London on World Cocktail Day 2025.



1. Connaught Vodka Martini — The Connaught Bar, Mayfair

💷 Pricey, but iconic

📍 The Connaught Hotel, Carlos Place, W1K 2AL

🍸 Best for: Old-school glamour and cocktail theatre


Let’s start with a classic — and arguably the crown jewel of London’s cocktail scene. The Vodka Martini at The Connaught Bar isn’t just a drink; it’s a show. Wheeled to your table on a gleaming martini trolley, your custom drink is stirred (never shaken) right before your eyes by one of the world’s best bartenders — often the legendary Agostino Perrone himself. Choose your spirit, garnish, and enjoy the perfect martini in a bar that’s been crowned “World’s Best” more than once. Yes, it’s expensive. No, you won’t regret it.






2. The Leaf — Soma Bar, Soho

🌿 Minimalist magic with a bold Indian twist

📍 Soma, 14 Denman St, W1D 7HJ

🍸 Best for: Bold flavours and speakeasy vibes


Tucked away beneath the buzzing streets of Soho lies Soma, an elegant speakeasy with a minimalist aesthetic and maximum flavour. Their signature cocktail, The Leaf, is a clever twist on the classic gimlet. It combines spiced gin with homemade curry leaf vermouth and finishes with a single drop of pink peppercorn oil. It’s subtle, aromatic, and deliciously unexpected — like India in a glass.







3. Frozen Yuzu Margarita — Tāyer + Elementary, Shoreditch

❄️ Zesty, frozen, and fiercely refreshing

📍 152 Old St, EC1V 9BW

🍸 Best for: Summer-in-a-glass vibes with a creative edge


If you’ve not yet had the pleasure of sipping on the Frozen Yuzu Margarita from Tāyer + Elementary, World Cocktail Day is your cue. A genius mash-up of Japanese yuzu and Mexican tequila, it’s punchy, citrusy, and addictive in the best way. Forget syrupy slushies from your uni days — this is a sophisticated, grown-up slush puppy that may well be the drink of summer 2025.







4. The Frothy Boi — Sweeties at The Standard, King’s Cross

🌇 Rooftop views, gut-friendly booze

📍 The Standard, 10 Argyle St, WC1H 8EG

🍸 Best for: Sunset sipping with skyline views


Yes, the name is hilarious. Yes, the drink is shockingly good. The Frothy Boi is a pastel-pink, cloud-like concoction made with lacto-rhubarb, gin, raspberry, pink pepper, and amazake oats — yes, those are fermented and yes, they’re gut-friendly. Sip it on the 10th floor of the Standard Hotel while watching London turn golden. Bonus: Happy Hour here means two cocktails for £20, even on weekends. Cheers to that.







5. The Doc Americano — Lyaness, Southbank


🌊 Inventive drinking by the river

📍 Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD

🍸 Best for: Edgy ingredients and riverside sophistication


Lyaness is the kind of place that pushes boundaries without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard. Helmed by cocktail mastermind Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr Lyan), this Southbank bar focuses on sustainability and cutting-edge flavour combinations. The Doc Americano — made with Tanqueray 10, carrot vermouth, Campari, and honey soda — is a standout on the current menu. It’s bitter, smooth, and just sweet enough. Expect your taste buds to thank you.


Final Sip

Whether you’re out to impress, explore, or just enjoy a delicious cocktail in a world-class setting, London’s got you covered this World Cocktail Day. From glamorous hotel bars to edgy speakeasies and skyline lounges, these drinks are worth every sip.

 
 
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