The adorable yet stylish mini cocktails at Rita's (left) and Toum (right).
London has seen its fair share of cocktail trends hit the viral sweet spot over the years (from funky concoctions packed with adaptogens in 2022 to the evolution of savoury cocktails, including the Tomatini's welcomed renaissance), but now? It's all about mini cocktails.
This one - it's a personal favourite. And not just because I'm, admittedly, obsessed with mini things (the Instagram page Mini Bakes has stolen my heart); at a time when the hospitality industry is facing a barrage of difficulties - whether it's rising costs, reduced consumer spending or drops in alcohol consumption - these little libations are a bit of a saving grace for both bars and cocktail-lovers.
It's no secret that the UK is drinking less than ever before, mainly down to Millennials and Gen Z opting for healthier lifestyles and their worries around the cost of living. But these mini cocktails - they're not only more affordable for customers (you typically won't find a mini cocktail above £10, most are actually coming in around £4 - £7), but they also offer a higher profit margin for bars (great news for hospitality) - a win-win, if you ask me. Plus, thanks to mini cocktails being, well, mini, they're lower in alcohol and calories than your average full-sized cocktail, meaning you can still enjoy your after-work tipple, but without the overindulgence. Huzzah.
Aside from being kinder on the purse strings and, let's be honest, hangovers, mini cocktails also encourage exploration, as you can try numerous drinks instead of committing to just one - some places even offer tasting flights. This also means that bars are able to be more experimental, introducing unusual or seasonal ingredients, as it's only a few sips after all. Plus, as they're typically consumed quicker, you can enjoy them in their freshest, purest state.
Overall, there's a lot to love about mini cocktails as you can see - but are they going to stick around? Considering the current state of the UK, with its cost of living crisis and big changes in consumer habits, I reckon this is only the beginning. Though mini martinis are certainly the most common option at the moment, I'm already seeing bars be more creative (like Archive & Myth), and I'm very excited to see how mini cocktails in London continue to evolve.
Where To Find London’s Best Mini Cocktails & What To Try
- Tayer + Elementary: One Sip Martini, Mini Negroni, Mini Highball
- Rita’s: Mini Martini
- Kolae: Pickled Mango Dirty Martini
- Toum/Encore: Tomatillo Martini or the Garibaldi (they also have a negroni and French-style martini)
- Archive & Myth: All cocktails can come as minis (under the Minor section), but we highly recommend the Martini Minereux
- Nina: The Sterling Martini
- Little Mercies: A rotating special under "What to drink while you think about drinking"
- Chiave: Dou Dou (a mini spicy marg), Killer Queen Bloody Mary, Masticha Sour or the Alla Turca Jazz (like a little espressotini)
- Hoppers King's Cross: A Pandan Negroni, Lion's Margarita (made with hot sauce) and Mango Gimlet
