Sweeter, fruity flavours
We think that we’re seeing a resurgence of sweeter, fruity flavours, which is a bit of a departure from the trend towards shorter bitter drinks that we’ve been seeing over the last few years. However there’s a bit of a twist – we’re seeing more of a grown up fruitiness, think dried fruits such as figs and cranberries – the number of drinks containing these types of flavours for London Cocktail Week 2019 was up by a huge amount.
Figs have featured on the latest menus from Coupette, Blind Spot at St. Martins Lane Hotel and High Water in Dalston. Coupette, the 23rd Best Bar in the World has also combined the fruit with Tapatio Blanco Tequila and fig leaf, whereas the Blind Spot mixes theirs with Veuve Cliquot and Grey Goose Vodka for a thoroughly festive cocktail and High Water in Dalston brings together rum, mezcal, white wine and figs for a strong and rich concoction.
Milk punch
We’re also seeing a lot more milk punch. We actually spotted this as a budding trend about five years ago – but it was very much in the very top tier experimental cocktails bars in London. Now we’re seeing milk punch based drinks make their way onto the menus of more mainstream bars. A ‘Tattie Milk Punch’ features on Lyaness’ new menu, which sees Compass Box Artist’s blend mixed with vegan honey, potato ‘cream’ and aged vanilla. At The Bloomsbury Club Bar, the menu is inspired by tarot card readers of 20th century features Moon Milk, bringing together Havana Club Selección De Maestros, fizzy clarified milk punch, Cynar Amaro Liqueur, Mancino Bianco Ambrato and Angostura bitters. Furthermore, the new Interpreted Magic menu at Beaufort Bar features milk in its ‘Twice Shy’ alongside rum, vermouth, salted pistachio yoghurt, Earl Grey tea, vanilla and lime.
Updated disco classics
Finally – updating disco classics. We’re seeing a lot of new menus that are taking their love for flavour pairings from classic cocktails and using them to create more ‘grown up’ combinations. Think grown up twists on Pornstar Martinis and margaritas – and a lot more blue drinks! The Cocktails and Dreams menu at Hawksmoor Spitalfields features multiple riffs on classics such as the Reformed Pornstar which includes jasmine tea, Champagne and clarified milk punch. Little Mercies in Crouch End serves their ‘Pornstar’ with wine, bubbles and verjus; a sort of vinegar made from the juice of unripe grapes.
The drink of 2020
And with this in mind – the drink of 2020? We think that the Pornstar Martini and Espresso Martini will be moving over to make way for the return of the Cosmopolitan. Delicious, Instagrammable, and tapping into the trend for reimagined disco drinks and fruity flavours – it’s making a comeback and we couldn’t be more delighted. Three Sheets elevates the classic Cosmo by fermenting the cranberry and combining with neroli; the essential oil produced from the blossom of the bitter orange tree, before adding orange and vodka.