The Best Christmas Cocktails In London
If you've got cocktails on your mind this Christmas, I urge you to head to North London's (or probably the whole of London's) best cocktail bar - The Four Sisters in Islington. I came here last year to toast the festive season, and couldn't wait to come and try this year's yuletide menu. It's actually a winter menu that will run throughout early 2016 as well, but you'll love the Christmassy notes, and the location just off of Upper Street, a.k.a one of London's best places for Christmas shopping in quirky boutiques and cool shops.
Hannah and I actually came here on December 1st, and it couldn't have been a better way to kick off the festive month; I am going to make the first of December an official celebration day (in my mind). We had a really great time, and one of the main reasons (other than the amazing drinks) is the unique atmosphere in The Four Sisters. The dim candlelight makes it super-cosy, and they have 1930's swing music playing for the first half of the night, I think that's how you'd describe it? It's the kind of music people would charleston to in an old film. This gives way to more contemporary chilled house music later, but for a while you can pretend you're in London of the past as you sit in this bar with wood-panelled walls, where everyone has a cocktail and is having a great time.
As well as traditional cocktails, beer and wine, The Four Sisters also has a seasonal cocktail menu that changes throughout the year. They use fresh ingredients and tinker about with their own flavoured spirits. I had to try the Grownup Breakfast (above), a winter berry long drink with salted butter washed vodka. This sounded so intriguing, and has an amazing smooth flavour. It's served with a biscuit and marmalade, just in case you want a pre-dinner or post-dinner snack. I highly recommend this one. I also tried the Plum Perhaps (below), a fizzy and potent mix of Chambord, bitters, Becherovka and champagne.
Hannah is a gin girl through and through and went for the Lavender Gimlet (top picture) which is served with a fragrant sprig of lavender, and she thought it was divine. I'm embarrassed to say, I cannot remember what Hannah's next choice was (below), only that it definitely has gin in it (and mint) and she really liked it too. The barman and I discussed how gin gives us both a headache whilst we're drinking it, not the morning after, and Hannah was saying something along the lines of us being a coupla lightweights. I will partake of a gin cocktail now and then, if needs must, but it's not really my thing. I think we can conclude that I like fruity, pink drinks, and Hannah accused me of being a sucker for novelty themed cocktails, such as the breakfast one. I can live with that, I now know what vodka washed in salted butter tastes like, and anyone who thinks this is too novelty is missing out big time. It's amazing.
We were sat by the window and every now and then would see people passing by and then coming back to press their faces up to the window. The cosy glow and the happy faces inside are intriguing; some of these curious folks would look at each other, nod, and then come inside to try it for themselves. We were chuckling at how there's almost a coffee shop vibe, even though it was a week night; there was even a guy on his laptop in the corner like it's a cafe. It just goes to show how laid back and comfortable people are here, and how inviting this bar is on a winter's night.
After the buttery vodka, plum champagne and exciting gin mixes had been consumed we realised it was gone 10pm and we hadn't eaten since lunch. We went to the far less luxurious Jamie's Italian at the opposite end of Upper Street, but carried on the (official) December 1st celebrations with prosecco and arancini balls. I also got over-excited as Mike Leigh was sitting at the table next to us, casually sharing a platter with some chums. I love random London moments like this - one time I waiting for the 271 bus outside Archway tube station, and the only other person at the bus stop was Terry Gilliam, I kid you not
If you're in the area please give this special bar a visit. Even if you're not in the area, make a trip here. Hannah thinks it would make a great place to have a birthday party, I think it's ideal for any time (as is drinking), but either way, it's one of those quirky, small London bars full of history and character that must be tried.
We were guests of The Four Sisters.