Best Christmas Cocktails In London

The Japanese-Danish restaurant group Sticks'n'Sushi has unveiled a festive treat: the Gingerbread Matcha Eggnog cocktail, a highlight of their exclusive Sticks'n'Santa menu.

Matcha has taken the culinary world by storm this year, and what's Christmas without eggnog? Combine the two, and you've got a decadently indulgent creation that's pure holiday magic. Truly a matcha made in heaven, this cocktail is the ultimate sip for getting into the festive spirit.

The Alchemist, known for its unique cocktails, is bringing us all sorts of festivities this year with sweet sips such as the The trifle, Hazelnut Whip and a Baby It's Cold Outside - made with elderflower and prosecco. They've got locations in Victoria, Old Street, Battersea and far beyond, and there are plenty of tasty eats here as well.

Dirty Martini has mastered the art of bringing seasonal sips to the masses across its many venues - that's what makes it one of the best Christmas bars in London this 2024. They're offering fabulously festive mixes such as The Ambassador - made with Absolut Blue vodka, Baileys, Frangelico liqueur, hazelnut, coffee and cocoa bitters - alongside Santa's Bramble and other cocktails.

Already one of the City's most picturesque rooftops, Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a spot that truly comes alive during the holidays with a winter wonderland-themed terrace that's one of the best Christmas pop-ups in London for 2024. As for the drinks, think Whispering Angel mulled wine, a Christmas sour or a Seedlip winter cosmopolitan.

Nestled next to the Bank of England, Mint Leaf Lounge is an iconic Indian restaurant that's amping up its cocktail game this Christmas by providing some gorgeous, themed sips. 

Check out the Snowflake, made with lemon, peach, gin and prosecco, or the Hennessy-based North Pole, topped off with ginger ale. We've got our eyes on the Jingle Bells, featuring rum and banana. 

A secret bar hidden behind a jade green door in Soho, Opium is an exclusive haunt that's known for its beautiful cocktails and delicious dim sum menu. Expect sultry red lighting and dark furnishings, with plenty of cosy corners to relax in.

Their festive menu features three unique tipples, a salted caramel-flavoured Rudolph Sour, the pumpkin spice Cream Pie or a classic egg nogg.

Bringing the Swiss Alps to our capital is W London, where you'll find a pop-up Veuve Clicquot Après Lodge this festive season. Cuddle up in the cosy blankets in front of the crackling fire pit to sip through a spiced hot chocolate (Hennessey, Fair Café, Disaronno, Zuma chocolate and cream) and ski slopes-themed cocktails like the Black Run (Belvedere, Crème de Mûre, lime, vanilla, blackberry and apple strudel tea).

If you're looking for some delicious cocktails and Christmas fun, then Flight Club in Victoria and Islington has it all for you. Choose between their party packages and festive brunch socials, which take place every weekend in December, plus take a trip to their Winter Paradise pop-up, serving signature cocktails. 

Whether you're after a seasonal serve that's decorated in Christmas colours or a winter warming mulled wine served in a teapot, London Bridge Rooftop is where to get it. From mid-November, expect the Après Bar to add twinkling lights, snow-covered trees, ski memorabilia and shole ski lift-style booths to their usual views of the Shard - creating the ultimate winter destination.

The Little Yellow Door (plus their Scarlet, Orange, Violet and Blue locations) will be getting a giant yuletide makeover this December, complete with pine trees and tinsel galore. But the festivities don't stop there; the menu at this Christmas cocktail bar in London will feature unique blends such as the Mulled Fashion or a fig liqueur-based The Holiday.

If spending the festive season stuck behind bars sounds like an awful idea, you clearly haven't been to Alcotraz. Don an orange jumpsuit and head to Shoreditch for bespoke cocktails and seasonal sips made from a bottle of your own favourite booze.

Soho Middle Eastern restaurant Kapara, alongside their sister restaurant Bala Baya, is the perfect place for some Christmassy drinks this year, thanks to their seasonal menu that pairs beautifully with chef-founder Eran Tibi's dishes inspired by his mother's home cooking.

Think Rum pa pa Plum (rum, black plum, black pepper, lime, lemon verbena), Wake & Shake (cardamom vodka, baharat syrup, black pepper, ginger, ginger liquor, lime juice), Figgy Little (cachaça, fig, cinnamon puree, elite arak, lime) and Smoke Show (Hatozaki whiskey, yuzushu, honey, lemon, vegan egg white foamer, orange bitters, citric powder).

Swift, Soho is a sleek and stylish cocktail bar that exudes sophistication while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. The bar's interior is a mix of classic elegance and modern flair, with rich wood, soft lighting, and a cosy ambience that makes it an ideal spot for a quiet evening or a lively gathering.

This Christmas, try out its themed tipples like the Sherry Trifle (£15) featuring Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial NV and Hennessy cognac, or the nutty Panettone (£14) made with mandorla, almond orgeat, and vanilla. There's also the Mince Pie (£16) up for sipping, which includes orange curacao and PX sherry.

Blame Gloria is coming in hot with their Roses-inspired Christmas cocktails this year. You'll find three limited edition sips that are available as part of the 2-4-1 happy hour. What will you pick? The Strawberry Dream Sleigh, Golden Barrel Fizz, or the Orange Cream Snowball? 

Eccentric, eye-catching and always a popular plot, Callooh Callay (which you can find in Shoreditch and Chelsea) is the place to go for wintertime tipples. What's up for grabs? Everything from Champagne-laced drinks to a special Christmas cocktail - the mint-flavoured Choco Ramos.

It wouldn't be Christmas without consuming your weight in choccy, would it? Over at The Chocolate Cocktail Club, you can indulge in quirky seasonal creations such as Cosnowpolitans and Olaf's Oreo from Tuesday to Saturday in Farringdon. Whether you're heading there for a sweet afternoon tea, taking part in their drinks masterclasses or just popping by for an evening out, you can expect all kinds of sugary delights.

Not only is this immersive cocktail experience bringing you quirky performances and a Western theme, but Moonshine Saloon has gone a step further - as one of the best Christmas pop-up bars in London, it's shaking up a frosty, seasonal selection that you won't be able to resist.

Located in the heart of Soho, Old Compton Brasserie is the perfect place to refuel with the best Christmas drinks in London after a day of shopping. In the past, the cocktail menu has drawn inspiration from familiar festive faces or involved collaborations with top drinks brands, and this year is no different - with sips such as the prune-infused Lady in Red or a Royal Flush, all made with Perrier Jouet.

From the 10th to the 23rd of December, Missy Flynn and her bar team at Rita's in Soho are concluding the year with 12 Days of Martinis. They've crafted a bespoke martini menu in honour of the festive season, featuring classics like the dirty martini and the seasonal Red-Nosed Gibson.

What's more, they'll also be serving a miniature martini in partnership with Cocchi Americano, and you can even purchase an engraved mini martini glass at the restaurant too. Each set includes a cocktail stick and comes beautifully packaged in a gift box with ribbon for £15.