5 cocktail bars you should try in London this summer...

1. Jin Bo Law

Where: Dorsett City Hotel- 9 Aldgate High St, EC3N 1AH, 020 3805 1000, jinbolaw.co.uk

Why: Located on the 14th floor of the new Dorsett City hotel, Jin Bo Law is East London’s newest rooftop bar with panoramic views over the city. Jin Bo Law, or pineapple in Cantonese, promises to deliver not only a sensational skyline, but also a unique blend of East-meets-West in their cocktail menu such as the Peas Of Mind: an intriguing combination of Jinro Soju, yuzu, egg white, yellow chartreuse, salted pea cordial and pea powder. The Asian-inspired nibbles menu and cocktail list accompanies the opulent, oriental interiors: dark marble floors, golden structures and decorative tapestries. Contemporary luxe at its finest!

Cocktail highlight: Milk and Cookies (sake, white chocolate, rice crispies, vanilla milk and bitters, and presented in a glass milk carton with accompanying cookie)

2. Zuma

Where: 5 Raphael St Knightsbridge London, SW7 1DL, 020 7584 1010, zumarestaurant.com

Why: Zuma Knightsbridge have teamed up with French vodka brand Ciroc to welcome Japanese Sakura season in the most special way possible- by creating a real cherry blossom installation, with live tree trunks, branches and pale pink flowers, to cover the ceiling and main wall of the Zuma bar. If this alone wasn’t worth seeing enough, Zuma have also curated a bespoke Sakura cocktail menu, combining seasonal tastes from Japan with refreshing ingredients that will relieve you of the summer heat.

Cocktail highlight: Okinawa Cooler (sakura infused vermouth with Ciroc Vodka, Grappa, Escubac, grapefruit juice, rose water, watermelon and yuzu tonic water).

3. Moonshine Saloon

Where: 535 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 0SZ, 020 3109 0491,

Why: From the minds of the BYOB bar concept Alcatraz comes Moonshine Saloon, a Wild West-inspired pop up bar open from 31st May- 25th August 2018. Guests bring a bottle of their favourite liquor to be granted entry to the mysterious Western underworld, where they will be decorated in the finest cowboy apparel before being allocated a bartender who will concoct a series of personalised moonshine cocktails for you and your group. Moonshiners are encouraged to try their hand at classic Wild West games like cards and dice, but ensure that they avoid the watchful eye of the town sheriff. At £33.49 (for 4 cocktails and 1.45 hours in the saloon), it’ll have you saying ‘howdy’ to the Kings Road!      

Cocktail highlight: Whatever the bartender sees fit!

4. ROKA Canary Wharf

Where: Park Pavillion, 4 Park Pavilion, Canada Square, London E14 5FW, 020 7636 5228, rokarestaurant.com

Why: Much alike their counterpart Zuma, ROKA is welcoming in the warmer weather with a series of Summer Terrace Sessions in partnership with Ciroc Vodka. Enjoy fresh cocktails to the sounds of internationally renowned DJ sets and bask amongst the ambiance of each week’s theme. The series kicks off on June 1st transporting guests to the shores of the Balearic islands- among the rooftop party themes include the spirits of London, dance, carnival, and discotheque. Nothing says summer more than a rooftop party!

Cocktail highlight: British Garden (a CÎROC vodka martini, with Sakura vermouth, Cocchi Americano, elderflower & strawberry cordial and garnished with a grapefruit zest). 

5. 100 Wardour Street

Where: 100 Wardour Street, Soho, London, W1F 0TN, 100wardourst.com

Why: ‘The History of Cocktails’- a new menu created by bar manager Massimo Bosio and his talented team- draws inspiration from classic cocktails of eras gone by. With 20 creative cocktails to choose from, you can dip your toe in The Golden Era or boogie the night away with a selection from the Disco Era.

Cocktail highlight: Navy Swizzle – from the ‘Its Tiki Time’ era 1930-1950 (pusser’s Gunpowder rum, house blend spiced rum, homemade falernum, lime juice, triple sec, Angostura Bitters, Absinthe)