Two things are inevitable when British summertime comes around: your mouth is left drier than the sand that sweeps the Sahara, and you wish you took heed in your mother’s wise words to ‘layer on some factor 50’ before leaving the house.
Every year there’s only one thing that can make things better - locking lips with a summer cocktail.
To ensure you cool down the right way this year, we got in touch with DesignMyNight and some of the country's hottest bars for the UK’s best thirst quenching, boozy tipples.
Frosecco at Patterns - Brighton
Nothing beats an ice-cold flute of prosecco. Well, that was until Patterns in Brighton went and created the UK’s first ever ‘frosecco’ cocktails. Made so that they still carry their fizz, you can choose from an Aperol Spritz Slushie, a Mojitio Royal Slushie, or keep it simple with a glass of frozen prosecco. Whatever you choose, these cocktails are guaranteed to revive your taste buds from the dead heat.
Pisco and Tonic at Dirty Martini - London
If for some strange reason you’re not a lover of G&T - Dirty Martini have the next best thing. Their new Pisco and Tonic menu is available until the end of August, and all five drinks on it are packed with fruity flavours. Dragon fruit and prickly pear is sharp and addictive but the pineapple and ginger takes the crown for being exceptionally exotic.
Twister at The Hockley Arts Club - Nottingham
If you’re up Nottingham way, The Hockley Arts Club is one of the coolest bars to drink in - and for more reasons than one. Not only do they have crazy kitsch interiors, but it seems that they’ve listened to your non-stop screams for ice-cream too. Their Twister cocktail is made with gin, fizz, vodka, and strawberry and fruit cider. But its crowning glory is the heavenly mini Twister garnish.
Frose at Dalloway Terrace- London
Dalloway Terrace transformed their terrace for the summer months and it’s taken al fresco drinking to a whole new level of dreamy. The intimate space is now blooming with snow white flowers and cosy tables for two. If you need another reason to visit, they have a new cocktail menu with a ‘Frosé’ cocktail hidden amongst the list. Made with rosé wine, strawberry and lillet; you’ll be ordering round two in no time.
Alabama Colada at Reverend JW Simpson - London
Reverend JW Simpson has a backstory like no other, but we’ll give you the shortened version. Basically, the bar was renovated a while back and they found a secret lair where a man called Reverend JW Simpson lived. Having found some more of his belongings recently, the bar’s cocktail menu now takes inspiration from his favourite books and novels. The Alabama Colada is made with mint-infused Four Roses bourbon shaken with Campari, fresh lime, pineapple and coconut cream. Served over cracked ice and inspired by Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, you’ll be drinking this bad boy all summer long.
Punch at Cocktail Trading Co. - London
Is your tongue sizzling like the surface of the sun? Head to Cocktail Trading Co. and get up close and personal with their new summer drinks, namely the Punch. Served in an actual seashell, this little beachy number is crafted with Amaro di Angostura, Bacardi rum, almond-lime sherbet and house ginger ale. Not living in London? Shell out on a train ticket, because this beauty is one of a kind. Was that awful pun intended? You know it.
Passion Fruit Margarita at Be At One - Liverpool
Summer isn’t summer until you have a punchy margarita in your hand. Although we’d never ever diss the classic version, Be At One put their own twist on the hardcore drink, and we’ve kind of fallen head over heels for it. A tequila base is mixed with passionfruit syrup, fresh lime juice, and instead of salt the rim is lightly dusted with sugar.
Pink Clouds at Bird of Smithfield - London
Pink Clouds is a unique concoction created by the mastermind mixologists at Bird of Smithfield, and the creamy mix is more than worth the sweaty tube journey to Farringdon. It marries Cointreau, dark chocolate liqueur, sour cherry cream and mole bitters. Topped with fluffy toasted marshmallows, this pretty in pink drink is almost too good to be true.
Melon Go Coco at Cane and Grain - Manchester
Cane and Grain are all about bourbon and ribs but they’ve upped the ante with their new cast of summer cocktails. The Melon-Go-Loco is made with Malibu, Midori, pineapple, Coco Re'al, fresh watermelon and lime, and it comes garnished with a fat slice of watermelon for nibbling on in between sips. This fruity concoction will whisk you out of Manchester to the tropical destination of your dreams.
Strawberry and Black Pepper G&T at All Star Lanes - London
There’s no denying it - G&T is the tipple of the moment and to ensure you have a bit of variety in your life, All Star Lanes picked their brains to bring you a ‘gin and pins’ menu. There are nine different G&Ts to choose from - some served with rose petals, others with zesty orange peel - but the Martin Millers Westbourne Strength is on the money. Served with strawberries and black pepper, don’t doubt this combo for a second - it’s the best mix on the menu.
The Pimmbledon at The Ivy Café Wimbledon – London
The Ivy Café in Wimbledon Village, is celebrating the famous tennis tournament with a Wimbledon drinks menu, available from 15th June to 16th July. The menu includes a new exclusive ‘The Pimmbledon’ cocktail (Pimm’s No.1 with Tanqueray gin and all the trimmings). Also available are the classic Pimm’s No.1 Cup, The Pimm’s Fizz (finished with Champagne) and The Gentleman’s Mule (with ginger ale).
For more info on unusual things to do in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight.
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