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.
Tyler Zielinski, author of 'The Art of Miniature Mixology' (who also collaborated with Bar Lina to create a new menu of tiny cocktails), told DesignMyNight: "As most bar and restaurant goers have discovered in recent times, there are many benefits venues serving tiny cocktails, a trend that's really taken the London hospitality scene by storm. At their core, they're all about enjoying the maximum amount of flavour without the unnecessary overindulgence. They're like the cocktail equivalent of tapas — an opportunity to taste tons of different drinks, and you can still walk out the door without seeing double.
Lots of bars have also embraced tiny cocktails because they offer a more affordable drinking experience during a time when most Londoners are feeling the pinch financially. But their applications know no bounds: they can, and have been, used for tasting menu experiences; they are the ideal format for using more expensive ingredients, such as vintage spirits, that you want to try in a cocktail, but not use tons of because of cost or scarcity; and they're simply the perfect size for certain drinks that, really, are best in smaller doses, such as cocktails that use rich or more intense flavours. "
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. You can even book a mini cocktail flight through DesignMyNight for a true flavour journey
- 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
- Bar Lina (Shoreditch and Canary Wharf): the Fragolino, Bloody Martini and the Art of Simplicity (made with Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto Liqueur, grapefruit sherbert and prosecco)
