The Cocktail Hour Approaches
The cocktail's image has evolved and revolved over the years. We've
come full circle, from the cocktail hour of the '20s —
devised to fill the gap between teatime and dinner —
through the suburban cocktail soiree of the '50s and very '80s Pina-
Colada-with-a-pink-umbrella, to the cocktail's reincarnation as the
sophisticate's drink of choice in the Noughties.
'Vive le Cocktail' and other Cock-and-Tail Stories
Ever wondered where the word cocktail comes from? We can't tell you for sure, but we can throw a few theories your way.
- Paris 1850. At a dinner party, the women have trouble matching the men's pace — or the strength of their drinks. The solution? They mix their drinks together — with a feather from one of their hats — et voila, you have the cocktail.
- New York during the American War of Independence. A bunch of American and French soldiers tuck into roast pheasant in a tavern.
The barmaid serves up her signature drink, Betsy's Bracers, and the soldiers decorate their tankards with the pheasant's feathers. They toast Bet's drink and the 'cock's tails', to which one French solider responds 'Vive le cocktail!'
- London at the time of Dr Samuel Johnson. In the eighteenth century the tails of mixed breed horses were docked, earning them the name 'cocktailed horses.' When Johnson mixes a cup of wine and gin for his good friend, James Boswell, he declares it a 'veritable cocktail of a drink' and the name is born.
Or was it? You decide...
Cocktail Trendsetting
Trends in cocktails tend to work around trends in holiday destinations. As our horizons have broadened, so too has the range of cocktails available in the capital. Cuban fever brought over the mojito, while travellers to Brazil got hooked on the caipirinha. And from New York came a craze for apple martinis.
Keeping it Simple
Less is more — in the ingredient stakes — when it comes to making the perfect cocktail. No more than five components are required, we have on the authority of Mitch at Bar Red, Kingly Street. Mitch's favourite is an Old-Fashioned: Maker's Mark bourbon and Angostura bitters, with orange peel and sugar.
The Last Word
The key thing to remember in cocktail bars — especially in our top five friendliest — is to talk to your bartender. Tell him which drinks and flavours you like, and those you don't. If it's not on the menu, we'd guarantee he'll make it anyway.
And if you don't know what you want, he — or she — will recommend. Because service is everything in our friendliest cocktail bars.
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Super-Friendly Cocktail Venues
No. 5 Cavendish Square
No. 5 Cavendish Square offers an extensive cocktail list, with plenty of new twists on old favourites. Die for the passion fruit mojito or the kiwi caiprihina. Learn more.
Bar Red
The bar is excellently stocked with the wide range of spirits and liqueurs that is required for a really top class cocktail venue.makes us stand out is the venue. It's elegant, opulent: sheer decadence. Learn more.
People's Republic
So friendly, so cordial, so convivial, it brings new and proper meaning to the word 'socialism'. Learn more.
Retox
Small but cosy, retox is a good bar to go to if you want to carry on drinking after the pubs have closed, but not wanting to go on to a full on dance club. DIY cocktails - great fun! Learn more.
Janet's Bar
Janet's Bar is adored by regulars who come for one and stay all evening. The one for the ladies is the S.A.M, and Janet assures us that 'if your favourite's not on the menu, we're happy to make it for you.' Learn more.
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