Seven Sunny Cocktails for Keeping Cool in London This Summer

What to order: Horchata Colada

Brixton agave bar Hacha will be rotating its slushie flavours all summer long but, for now, says Bars Manager Robyn Evans, it’s all about the Horchata Colada, a twist on a Piña Colada with reposado tequila and homemade horchata (a Mexican cinnamon rice milk). Tucked inside Brixton Market, Hacha’s a primo spot for people-watching, under cover but with heaps of natural daylight.

What to order: Claras

No more shame-faced requests for a shandy or lager top. At Bar Daskal, the Harts Group’s new Spanish bar in Borough Yards, you can order your Clara with pride. Think of the Clara as a shandy en español, made with homemade grapefruit and lemon sherbet topped with ice cold Estrella Galicia.  “I love a shandy in summer and this ticks all of those boxes but with a few elements that elevate it,” says Nick Jackson, Group Head of Bars for Barrafina, Parrillan and Bar Daskal. More sophisticated yet: bone dry sherry from a frozen glass. There’s no outside space but there are floor-to-ceiling windows upstairs and down to maximise long evenings.

What to order: Frozen Garibaldi

At Hackney wine bar Silver Lining, co-founder Sarah Maddox has a thing about orange. Orange wine mainly but also their new day-glo slushie, a frozen take on the Garibaldi, a 160-year-old Italian aperitivo. “It’s the perfect balance of bitter and sweet,” says Maddox, noting the symbolism of the Campari from the north and the oranges from the south, representative of Italy’s unification. All their alcoholic slushies (the frozen strawberry Daiquiri sounds pretty special too) are available takeaway so you can slurp on the hoof. Some outside tables too.

What to order: Frozen Yuzu Margarita

“To be fair,” says co-founder Monica Berg of their sunny day bestseller, “the frozen Yuzu Margarita is always popular, but when it’s hot, it’s almost impossible to keep up demand.” A sticky day on Old Street feel positively pleasant in the air-conditioned surrounds of Tayer + Elementary, number two in the World’s Best Bars 2021. Other coolers for your consideration: the Watermelon Negroni – which reappears annually – or a frozen coffee slushie laced with rum.

What to order: Paloma

Palomas fly out the door at Clerkenwell cocktail pub The Gunmakers. They sell so many, says the pub’s Allan Gage, “we named our palm tree after them. She’s five metres tall and throws the shade in our lovely back garden.” Tigre Tacos is in residency — their Baja fish taco and a margarita picante is a match made in heaven.

What to order: Frozen Margarita

It’s 30 degrees and climbing; you’re sitting on the floating deck overlooking the water at Studio Kitchen on Regent’s Canal. What are you drinking? A frozen margarita of course. “The other day, we filled up a 30-litre machine four times,” says co-founder Fin Spiteri. “That is a lot of frozen Margaritas.” Studio Kitchen’s Margs are a cut above, with Tequila Ocho and an orange-infused homemade syrup. Your head will thank you if you order some food too. The burgers are the thing, whether veggie, fried chicken or classic beef.

What to order: Mezcal Negroni

Acme Fire Cult is located at the 40FT Brewery in Dalston, so is metaphorically swimming in beer. The Germany-style hefeweizen ‘Streetweiss’ returns every summer, and the Disco Pils just slips down. However, 40FT’s founder Steve Ryan is now seriously into his cocktails. “It’s our first time being able to flex other drinks now we’ve a restaurant in the yard,” he explains. The bestseller is the Mezcal Negroni, a reinvented classic with a smoky edge. Non-drinkers should try the Acme lemonade spiked with house hot sauce. Hog a table on the terrace, covered and heated if need be.