Who's ready for a season of chowing down on cheese, keeping cosy at winter pop-ups, and hitting the office parties hard? While December may be the month of Christmas celebrations, it also signals the start of winter and you’re going to need something to keep warm. From a sky-high pop-up dedicated to steaming cocktails to old-school eggnog and iconic Irish coffees, we’ve rounded up the best hot toddies in town.
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Ham Yard Hotel: The Beekeeper’s Martini
Always one for a creative concoction, The Winter Martini Garden at Ham Yard Hotel doesn’t do things by halves. This season, there are tartan blankets, hot water bottles and sparkling lights setting the scene on the roof terrace. Soak up warming drinks like The Beekeeper’s Martini; inspired by the bees that are kept on the Ham Yard roof terrace, and finished with a puff of smoke. Tickets are £22 per person and include a welcome Paloma-tini followed by a martini of your choice.
Book your ticket for Ham Yard Hotel's roof terrace this winter.
Queen of Hoxton: Venetian Brambled Wine
Inspired by the iconic masquerades of gothic Venice, Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop pop-up has been given a glitzy makeover. Head up to this Shoreditch space where you’ll find multiple seasonal serves alongside the usual beers and wines. As for the warmer kind, there’s a Venetian Brambled Wine (£8.20) finessed with red wine, orange, aniseed, lime and cardamom.
Things are getting ho-ho-hot at this Shoreditch hangout.
Swift: Irish coffee
When it comes to Irish Coffee (£11), there’s only one place that you should be thinking about. A glorious choice all year round, Swift’s take on the classic isn’t strictly for winter, but now’s the perfect time for it. A silky smooth combination of Jameson Caskmates and demerara-sweetened filter coffee topped with hand-whipped cream and nutmeg, it’s snow good.
They say Santa likes milk and cookies, but we reckon he's partial to one of these bad boys.
Fire And Fromage: Boozy Hot Chocolate
The clocks have gone back, the nights are getting colder and you’re gonna need to keep warm. Not content with the hot water bottle and layers combo, Fire And Fromage is the waterside pop-up that welcomes you under twinkling lights in a snow globe. After devouring a feasting menu of Alpine fondue, steak and apple cider brandy crumble, end your eve with a boozy hot chocolate (£12).
If it's not in an igloo, we don't want it.
Gaucho Piccadilly: Mulled Malbec
Dust off that cheesy Christmas jumper and get your gift wrap at the ready because Gaucho's Piccadilly outpost has been transformed into the ultimate seasonal retreat. There’s a selection of limited edition bevvies bringing a piece of Patagonia to this winter terrace, via mulled malbecs (£10.50) and more.
One for wine lovers, this might be the best hot toddy in London.
Midnight Apothecary: Hot Rum
Chocolate smothered s’mores, a snuggly fire-pit, and hot cocktails? Midnight Apothecary are at it again. Prepare for a whole load of merrymaking as this East London favourite shakes up a selection of festive creations. If the local beers, non-alcoholics and fizz don't do it for you, you can keep cosy at The Brunel Museum with a classic Hot Rum.
Midnight Apothecary is a great winter date night option.
SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden: Gingerbread Latte
Take the chill off with SUSHISAMBA's Covent Garden terrace. In partnership with Grey Goose, their seasonal menu includes the snowball margarita made with white chocolate and Patron tequila alongside a hazelnut and fig toddy which sees a nutty Aberfeldy Scotch and sweet fig liqueur finished with lemon. Our choice? The gingerbread latte (£16) that blends walnut and vanilla-infused Grey Goose vodka with gingerbread Japanese plum sake, oat milk, cinnamon syrup and chocolate bitters.
This winter terrace pairs cocktails with Instagrammable decor.
Miracle at Henrietta Hotel: Jingle Balls Nog
After taking The States by storm, Miracle has landed in London once again, with its kitsch holiday décor, costumed bartenders and nostalgic tipples in tow. Born in New York, this merry pop-up is taking over the Henrietta Hotel with a gingerbread-tipped Snowball Old Fashioned, the cheeky Yippie Ki Yay Mother F*****R and this retro Jingle Balls Nog (£13) which combines brown butter fat-washed cognac with cream sherry and all the usual suspects.
Christmas has come early at this miraculous pop-up.
But wait—there’s myrrh. For more inspo on what to do this month, check out our extensive guide to winter in London and sign up to our newsletter.
