The First World Class Cocktail Festival in the UK Is Here

From the 9th March- 30th April, cocktails will be shaken up and down the country for the inaugural World Class Cocktail Festival in Great Britain. 20 towns and cities including Bristol, Birmingham, London and Liverpool each have a designated bar serving a completely bespoke, limited-edition selection of three cocktails.

And these aren’t any cocktails. They are created by the Top 100 Bartenders in the UK as part of Diageo World Class, the most prestigious platform for mixology masters to display their passion and skill. The entries have already been cut down to 100, but this opportunity to compete against one another serving three cocktails will see a lucky 20 take on the Global Finals in Shanghai later in the year.

Gin lovers can look forward to an award-winning small batch Tanqueray No. TEN cocktail, whisky fans can order a concoction starring the Speyside wonder that is The Singleton 12-Year-Old, and there’s no disappointment for the mocktail drinkers either with a refreshing Seedlip creation. What story the competing bartenders choose to tell with the ingredients can only be found out by paying a visit to your nearest participating bar.

For a full list of those and more information on this highly competitive competition and celebration of everything cocktails, go here.

Oh, and for those of you in London, there are free cocktail masterclasses as part of the festival! Head to The Bar at Home in Oxford Circus from the 19th March – 30th April to have your flavour preferences analysed (you may be part of the 25% of the population who are ‘super tasters!), receive a complimentary world class cocktail and get limited-time discounts on bottles, personalisation and gifts – not bad at all.

Shakers at the ready, let the games commence!

5 Ready to Drink Cocktails To Share With Your Bestie

Sharing is caring so they say and indeed that's what the best friendships are made of! And what better to share than the tasty concoction of a ready-to-go cocktail? Thankfully, the ready to drink cocktail market has been developing rapidly which makes it so much easier to have lovely cocktails for two at apéro hour, whether they come from a can or a small bottle. These types of cocktails also make pre-drinking easier without the hassle of getting together unusual recipe ingredients! Here is a selection of fabulous cocktails and mocktails for you to share with your friends!

Tom Savano - Passionfruit Martini

A very smooth, well blended but also tangy Passionfruit Martini, this is a bar quality cocktail and isn’t overly syrupy. You can always add that shot of prosecco on the side for that well known fruity Martini cocktail combination! This is a very drinkable cocktail blending the passionfruit with vodka, Madagascan vanilla and lime. As it is served in a bottle with a stopper, the cocktail can be savoured throughout the night and the next day (if you’re up to it that is).

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £22 (price reduction online)

Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin and Tonic

This is the classic go-to G&T combination where the fruity sweetness of Gordon’s London pink dry gin smoothly blends with the bitterness from the Schweppes tonic in perfect harmony. The botanical base is bright and lively, perfect to bring a little sun to your day. A handy size to bring to picnics, it’s also ideal for drinking before a night out, or whilst you practice those TikTok dance moves with your bestie.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £1.80

Something & Nothing French Rosé  + Hibiscus and Rose Spritz

Made with French rosé wine and hibiscus and rose seltzer, this is a lighter drink that’s ideal for chilled occasions - think BBQs, picnics or just destressing after work. The rosé adds floral and fruity notes to the spritz and being such a food-friendly profile, it would also work a treat with small bites. It’s vegan friendly too!

Size: 330ml 
ABV: 4%
Find here: £3.79

ISH Spirits Non-Alcoholic Mojito

A delicious blend which has been awarded the IWSC Bronze prize, it is hard to believe that this is a mocktail! It smells and tastes just like a Mojito thanks to the well-balanced botanicals in the non-alcoholic ISH Caribbean Spiced Spirit - you really get a taste of that rum twist. It’s the perfect treat to take on a road trip with your bestie!

Size: 250 ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £2.59

The Drinks Bureau - Shirley Temple

Another classic mocktail on the list, the Shirley Temple takes its name from the famous actress who appeared in films such as Heidi! This is a cherry flavoured drink containing warm ginger, a sweetness that is offset with a great tangy flavour and bitters that give it a real depth. It’s a perfect drink to sip on with your friends whilst enjoying a movie!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £12 for 4 cans

There you have it - these ready to drink cocktails are full of flavour and great for sharing, so get out those cocktail glasses or drink them from the can wherever and whenever, who needs an excuse! To see more tasty cocktail suggestions, click here.

By Latoya Austin

Why Puerto de Indias Are Releasing An ‘Unfair’ Blackberry Gin

It’s not often that you’ll find us praising a bottle of booze being decreased in size, but on this occasion the point it’s making is well worth it.

Seville-based Puerto de Indias are rolling out special editions of their tasty Blackberry Gin, but with 14.3% less liquid inside than usual. Perhaps you’re wondering how they arrived at such a specific number? Well, it reflects the ONS figures that women earn, on average, 14.3% less than men per hour.

Set for a release on International Women’s Day this Friday 8th March, journalists, bartenders, and influencers will be sent these ‘unfair’ bottles to draw attention to the gender gap issue. Whether it’s the issue of women being paid less for the same work or not being given equal opportunities in various industries, this bottle and IWD is a reminder of the work still to be done.

To get people shouting about it, Puerto de Indias are encouraging #shakeforpayequality, where you can join in by making a cocktail and raising your glass to women.  Sticking with the blackberry gin as it was a women-led creation, you can whip up their delicious Black Mojito starring it.

As well as rolling up their sleeves when it comes to the big issues, their gin is award-winning for a reason. They’ve blazed a trail with premium berry gins, first with their renowned strawberry and now with this. If you want to join us with a Black Mojito this Friday, this is how you make it!

Ingredients
50ml Puerto de Indias Blackberry Gin
3 wedges of lime
2 or 3 good-sized blackberries
8 spearmint leaves
Sprinkling of sugar
Soda or sparkling water

Method
Take a fairly wide glass and drop your lime, spearmint, and blackberries into it, along with a teaspoon or so of sugar to let it macerate. Then the good stuff, pour in the beautiful Blackberry Gin and top up with some bubbles - soda or sparkling water. Cheers!

It doesn’t look like the special edition of the bottle is available to buy, but you can find the full-size bottle at a number of retailers including Master of Malt here, where it’s currently on offer for £26.95!

Which Cocktails Can You Make With Absinthe?

The mysterious and often misunderstood absinthe is criminally underused in cocktails. If you want the full low-down on the spirit then check out our guide here, but in short, it’s a highly alcoholic spirit with a fascinating past interwoven with artists, bohemians, prohibition, the Moulin Rouge and much more.

Most drinkers that aren’t overly familiar with it are most likely to identify it as a testing, throat burning shot of 60% alcohol, but there is a lot more fun to be had with it. Whether verte (green) or blanche (uncoloured), well-made absinthe brings a unique spicy-sweet aniseed flavour with layers of herbal cleanliness offsetting the booze nicely. Wormwood and fennel are the two other botanicals you’ll commonly find.

As with any spirit, the best way to dip your toes into it (not literally) is with cocktails. The serious oomph and complex herbal intensity can bring a sprinkling of magic to a cocktail, elevating it impressively. Let’s take a look at a few easy-to-make classics and couple of more challenging serves for the mixologists out there.

Death in the Afternoon

If you want simple, then you’ve got it. The only complicated thing here is sourcing yourself a good value and good quality absinthe and Champagne, after that it’s just combining the two. The namesake of Hemingway’s Spanish bullfighting book, he apparently created it himself to make a totally refreshing and gorgeously light cocktail. The acidic brightness, the soft brioche, the herbal botanicals, it’s such a yummy palate cleanser.

Ingredients
40ml Absinthe
Champagne to top

 Method
Absinthe first, and then top up with Champagne before a gentle stir to combine. That’s it.

Absinthe Spider Highball

A Highball is a simple cocktail which is essentially a spirit and mixer, perhaps with a garnish or other ingredient. We always recommend it as an introduction to a new spirit, and the Spider is a simple serve bringing out the boozy spice of absinthe with the warmth of ginger ale. Angostura bitters bring some bitter complexity to the depths too.

Ingredients
20ml Absinthe
2 dashes of Angostura
Ginger ale to top up

 Method
Pour in your absinthe to an ice-filled glass, top up with ginger ale and swirl into a couple of Angostura dashes.

Absinthe Mojito

This brings out the cleansing refreshment that absinthe can be so delicious for. We’ve gone for a 50/50 mix of lemonade and soda, but you can adjust this depending on personal preference and absinthe used. The combination of fresh and sweet citrus with the cooling mint and complex herbal spice of the absinthe is intense but so yummy.

Ingredients
45ml lemonade
45ml soda
25ml absinthe
Lime wedges and mint leaves (garnish)

Method
Drop some lime wedges into glass half-filled with crushed ice along with a few sprigs of mint. Pour over absinthe and your lemonade and water, before giving it a good churning stir to extract the flavours.

Corpse Reviver No.2

Okay, so if you’re really cautious about the absinthe flavours, then this is one for you. One of the common ways absinthe is used is for rinsing the glass. Because it’s so intense, it still has a great impact on the cocktail even though it’s poured away. Originally designed to ‘revive a corpse’ i.e. remedy a hangover, this is a committed start to a second day of drinking.

Ingredients
1-2 dashes of absinthe
25ml Gin
25ml Cointreau
25ml Lillet Blanc
25ml fresh Lemon juice
2.5ml sugar syrup (optional)
Lemon twist to garnish

Method
Add some absinthe into your glass and swirl to coat the glass before discarding. Next, shake all your other ingredients with ice until the shaker feels chilled, and strain into your rinsed glass without fresh ice.

The Green Beast

For a rather intimidating name, this is somewhat of a cocktail clean freak. Absinthe is often use as a rinse or just in small doses, but here it stars with little else competing. It’s a modern classic, offsetting the intense absinthe with the coolness of cucumbers, water, and lime. A little syrup is needed for balance, but mainly this is a clean, vegetal delight with green flavours everywhere.

Ingredients
30ml absinthe
20ml simple syrup
20ml lime juice
100ml chilled water
4 slices of seedless, peeled cucumber (some for garnish) 

Method
Muddle the cucumbers with the syrup in the bottom of your glass, and pour over absinthe, lime juice and ice. Bring it to the top with chilled water, and delicately place a cucumber slice for garnish.

Green Fairy

An icon of the Moulin Rouge, The Green Fairy is one of the better-known absinthe creations… so much so that some people simply call absinthe by it. The spirit takes centre stage here, dancing with the zip of lemon, the bitterness of Angostura, the sweetness of a little sugar and the silky texture of egg white. It all comes together for an intensely herbal zing that packs a hell of a punch for a fairy.

Ingredients
25ml absinthe
25ml lemon juice
25ml chilled water
10ml Sugar syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 egg white (or 15ml aquafaba)
Lemon peel to garnish

Method
Dry shake all these ingredients and then repeat with ice (you’ve got to earn cocktails round here). Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. A twist of lemon peel to garnish and you’re away.

Last Resort

We’ll finish with something a little more complex, but still pretty easy to pull together. This concoction only uses 20ml of absinthe, but remember it’s concentrated and intense flavour and plays a vital role here. Building on the Brandy Sour, the Last Resort cocktail uses the fresh tang of absinthe and lime juice to complement the richness of French pear brandy. One egg white provides that moreish frothy viscosity, and alongside Peychaud’s bitters, all the ingredients accentuate one another’s botanicals and aromatics deliciously.

Ingredients
20ml absinthe
50ml French pear brandy (Massenez Poire Williams)
20ml lime juice
20ml simple syrup
2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
1 egg white
Grate nutmeg for garnish

Method
Swirl the absinthe in the glass, and add pear brandy, lime, syrup, and egg white into a shaker with no ice – this will emulsify the egg whites. Then repeat with ice and double strain into your glass before topping off with a little freshly grated nutmeg and the beautiful bitters.

You’ve got your cocktail recipes, now all you need is a great bottle of absinthe to get them made – check out our recommendations at the end of our Absinthe Guide.

Six Stunning Margarita Variations

A timeless classic, the Margarita is synonymous with summer fiestas and cocktail bars the world over. As many classics are, the Margarita of old is a perfect recipe, combining flavours of tequila, lime, cointreau and salt. They can be frozen, shaken, stirred, spicy, smokey and just about anything you can set your mind to. If cocktails are art, then margaritas are the canvas.

Agave drinks are so ancient, they can be dated back to 300 AD! Back then, they were a ritual drink, as were most fermented drinks of the time, but these are stories for another time. Tequila reared its world-changing head over a thousand years later, and it is the Margarita that took tequila global in the mid 20th century, cementing its place in drinks history, and onto the menu of every restaurant, dive bar and high end cocktail bar. 

In 2023, I won the UK El Recuerdo Mezcal Competition with a Margarita twist, so I know a thing or two about the Marg. Here is the winning cocktail, and below it, five more tasty twists on the Margarita that you can easily try at home.

What’s up, Guac?

Some of the worlds’ most interesting cocktails take inspiration from culinary staples and this delightfully balanced take on a classic Marg does just that. Guacamole is a staple food in Mexico, where all Tequila and Mezcal is made. This drink takes the flavours of Mexico's most famous mole - cilantro, basil and cucumber - to make a devilishly refreshing summer cocktail.

Ingredients: 
60ml or 2oz Mezcal (El Recuerdo)
25ml or 0.75oz Lime
25ml or 0.75oz Cilantro Syrup
10ml or 0.25oz Agave Syrup 
Bar Spoon of Mexican Jalapeno Chilli Salsa (Habanero Tabasco works if you don’t have a local chilli shop)

Method:
Throw all the ingredients into a shaker, strain into a coupe glass (or whatever you like to sip your Margaritas from) and garnish with your prettiest edible flowers

TOP TIP: Don’t be scared, the syrup is so simple, no mixology required, simply throw the following ingredients into a blender, sieve the pulp out and you’ll be ready to go! 

25g Coriander
15g Basil 
50g Cucumber
100g Sugar
100g Water

Now that you know we mean business, here are five more stunning Margarita variations…

The Best Margarita for Spice Lovers: El Pepino (Spicy Margarita)

The ‘El Pepino’ (Spanish for ‘The Cucumber’) is a modern classic that has captured the imagination of bartenders all over. It’s rare that a twist on a classic comes along and so quickly becomes a staple in the bar scene. Fresh ingredients are the key to the El Pepino, cucumber and jalapenos directly in the cocktail shaker. No need to muddle, just shake hard! This refreshing, spicy and salty concoction will be a hit at your next summer fiesta!

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
2 Cucumber slices
Fresh Jalapeno (start small, scale up to preferred spice level)

Method:
Add ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass. If you’re feeling fancy, rim the tajin for extra effect. Use the leftover pressed limes to wet the glass rim and sprinkle the tajin around the intended area.

The Best Margarita for Floral Lovers: Santa Muerta

From the mind of cocktail wizard and mixologist, Calum Anderson, this simple margarita variation is a bouquet of flavours. Equally sweet and sour with a fresh, fragrant floral nose and a simple ingredient list that can be picked up from any supermarket! You can buy yourself flowers, but I bet you’d rather have one of these… 

Ingredients:
35ml or 1oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Violet Liqueur
25ml or .75oz Elderflower Cordial
25ml or .75oz Lime Juice
25ml or .75oz Apple Juice

Method:
Add ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake, strain over cubed ice, garnish with edible flowers.

The Best Margarita for the Coffee Obsessive: Muerto Bali Hai

Taking a legendary Tiki drink and colliding it with a Margarita sounds like a recipe for disaster or a delicious miracle. The Muerta Bali Hai is the latter. It might sound obscure, but the tropical combination of coffee, pineapple, lemon and tequila come together to create an indulgent drink that will delight coffee and tiki lovers alike. If you enjoy unique drinks, this is certainly one for you.

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Kahlua
25ml or 0.75oz Lemon Juice
50ml or 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a shaker, shake, strain over ice in a hi-ball glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves for that cheeky tiki look.

The Best Margarita for Summer Time: Frozen Coconut Mangorita

Sipping frozen margs on a hot summer day is the perfect way to enjoy tequila, however, the addition of mango builds on this perfection, adding a bright tartness that balances with the sweetness of coconut cream leaving you wanting more. Don’t be scared by the blender, it’s super easy to whip up multiple mangoritas at once just by doubling the measurements and throwing it all in the blender cup. This cocktail is bound to impress guests and not leave you wasting valuable party time by mixing complicated drinks.

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
25ml  or 0.75oz Cointreau
15ml or 0.5oz Coconut Cream 
70g or ½ a Mango

Method:
Throw the ingredients into a blender with a scoop of crushed ice and blitz until silky smooth. 

TOP TIP: If you don’t have crushed ice, beat some cubed ice in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until you DO have crushed ice.

The Best Margarita for the Smoky Lovers: Mezcalita

Mezcal is the fastest growing spirit in the world, with more and more punters turning to the ancient agave spirit as their base for the Margarita. It may be the most simple drink on this list, but if you haven’t tried Mezcal before, this is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest and most unique spirits in the world.  

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Mezcal
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass.

For those, like me who can’t get enough of the Margarita, follow this link for More Stunning Margarita Variations…

By Miley Kendrick

7 Affordable Tequilas Perfect For Margaritas

When answering the question, ‘What tequila should I use for a Margarita?’, the answer is not to break the bank – far from it. You just need a robust tequila with good balance and depth, and one that won’t burn your throat. Now, despite what its bar-shotting reputation might suggest, there are actually plenty of tequilas out there between £20-£30 that fulfil these criteria. Each one will take your cocktail in a slightly different direction too.

The Margarita was the most popular cocktail in the world last year and remains a favourite of so many, so if you’ve never tasted what the fuss is about, or you just want to be able to make a stunning version for guests, then these are some tequilas that will make it shine.

Oh, and once you’ve found the tequila for you, you can go here for the classic recipe, plus some variations that might tickle your fancy.

El Jimador Tequila Blanco

You can find El Jimador Tequila pretty much everywhere because it’s such a well-rounded Lowland Blanco at a good price. It’s 100% Blue Weber, distilled twice and immediately bottled for young freshness. Alongside some roasted agave, crisp, clean citrus bursts through here so it’s great for a fresh Margarita.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £21 (usually more!)

Olmeca Blanco Tequila

This is a trusty tequila that you can definitely rely on to elevate your cocktails. Hailing from Los Altos, this delivers the signature Highland style with a sweeter kick and delicate floral waft. A little green and black pepper supports, and it has that smoothness we want to integrate into the cocktail subtly. Serve for a sweeter Margarita with a little herbal nudge.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £24.29 (usually more!)

El Sueño Tequila Silver

Normally we look for 100% Blue Weber agave, but here we’re willing to make an exception. El Sueño is backed up by five generations of tequila producers, and here they’ve used 70% agave with 30% locally and sustainably grown piloncillo (natural cane sugar). Let the purists dismiss it we say, because it beats many 100% bottles hands down. Mellow vegetal agave intertwines with grapefruit tang for a full, flavoursome tequila that’s perfect for cocktail making. No mixto snobs here.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £24.75

Ocho Blanco Tequila

This is a single estate expression to represent the underrated importance of terroir in tequila. A joint effort by the Camarena family and Tomas Estes, it’s made in the traditional method with slow cooked agave for deep flavours, satisfying viscosity, earthy notes offsetting citrus freshness and a gorgeous crack of black pepper. It’s great for fading the in-your-face agave flavour into loftier sweet fruits and lingers for a fantastically long time. Great for a flavourful, slightly thicker Margarita.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 4%
Find here: £27.25

Tapatio Blanco Tequila

Remaining largely unchanged since the 1930s, tequila drinkers love Tapatio and their silver expression remains the benchmark for great value. It’s brimming with all that blanco character so expect hits of raw agave, cracked pepper, vivid citrus, and earthy anchoring. It’s well known for its intensity so can more than look after itself jostling in a Margarita. If you want a Margarita with oomph, go for Tapatio.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.70

Pueblo Viejo Blanco

Pueblo Viejo are a rock solid option for tequila, and known within the tequila world for probably being a little bit underpriced. For a relatively cheap blanco, it’s a smooth joy to sip. The cooked agave comes through, but then the palate takes off in a surprising number of directions, with a grassy note, mineral hints, lively citrus, and herbaceous flavours, all before pulling everything together for a peppery finish. We think this would be perfect for a spicy Margarita.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £27.95

Mundo Blanco Tequila

Slightly softer at 35%, Mundo Blanco is a sipping tequila really, with plenty of earthy depths and fresh heights to explore. However, it also works for a luxurious, slightly more complex Margarita and remains under £30 so is cracking value. As beautifully presented by La Cofradia as it is in the mouth, it’s a Highland and Lowland mix for a crisp rounded taste with herbaceous hints. Easy to love.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: £28.91

If you want to explore the absolute best this misunderstood spirit has to offer, then how about The Best Sipping Tequilas?

The Rhubarb Crush

How about this for a Valentine’s Crush? Keeping it simple, it’s a Franklin & Sons recipe that’s essentially a twist on a classic vodka lemonade. Of course, you could include extra touches like elderflower liqueur or vanilla syrup, but if you get yourself quality ingredients, simple can be best. Franklin & Sons have been leading the way with mixers since the Victorian times, and their spring rhubarb lemonade is zesty, fragrant, and refreshing with lemon juice and sparkling water. Get yourself a stunning vodka to go with, make it look beautiful with some flowers and voila, a crisp Rhubarb Crush for Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day.

Ingredients (for 1)

50ml vodka
Top up with Rhubarb Lemonade (Franklin & Sons)
 Edible flowers

Method
1.      Pour out chilled vodka over ice.
2.      Top up with rhubarb lemonade.
3.      Stir gently to keep the bubbles going.
4.      Sprinkle some edible flowers.
5.      Enjoy!

If you’re still going strong with Dry January, then how about these Delicious Winter Mocktails? Or if you’re interested in more Frankin & Sons mixers to spruce up your serves then check out these.

The Top 10 UK Cocktail Bars of 2024

Once again, the Top 50 Cocktail Bars of 2024 sponsored by Franklin and Sons has been announced, with a who’s who of drinks writers, businesspeople, and influencers from across the UK deliberating, including our very own Aidy as host!

After much investigation and debate, the highly competitive list has been shortened to 50, and these 10 represent cocktail heaven. The full list is at the bottom of this page for your convenience, so you can find the nearest and greatest cocktail bars in your area... especially with Valentine’s Day coming up. For now, though, let the countdown begin...

10. Tayēr + Elementary, Shoreditch, London

Retaining its top ten spot, Tayēr + Elementary offers something of a dual experience. For high-speed, all-day premium ‘draught’ cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Elementary is where you want to be. But come nighttime, Tayēr awaits through the partition – a world of darkness, changeable exotic concoctions, and a rotation of guest bartenders. Renowned seasonal snacking, a commitment to drinks other than cocktails, brutalist décor and a warm service complete this unique offering.

Address: 152 Old St, London, EC1V 9BW
Website here (walk-ins only)

9. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

The second highest Scottish bar on the list, Panda & Sons is one you could be forgiven for missing. Stroll past on the hunt for libations, and you might just think it’s a barber shop, but enter, and you’ll be welcomed past the Prohibition face and into speakeasy bliss. Cabinets of curiosities and vintage furniture set in dim light make for a very seductive proposition, not to mention the ‘Chapters’ based menu. Currently, the theme is Transcend, dedicated to innovative freezing techniques researched for 5 years. An incredible science lab-cum-speakeasy experience.

Phone number: 0131 220 0443
Address: 79 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF
Book here

8. AMARO Bar, Kensington, London

Rocketing up from 46th place last year is AMARO, a modern take on the classic cocktail bar. It only opened in 2021 with the former head mixologist at the Savoy Elon Soddu at the helm, serving classical twists like the Mango Bellini and Peach 76. Beyond that, more expensive vintage cocktails are available, the priciest of which is the 1980 Boulevardier at £190. The complete drinks selection is really expansive (particularly the whiskey) and the granite bar is stunning.

Phone number: +447745520816
Address: 15 Kensington High St, London W8 5NP
Book here

7. Swift Soho, Soho, London

The shelves at this Old Compton Street spot are bending under awards. With mirrors a-plenty, leather booths and a smorgasbord of unique cocktails, it’s no wonder it’s Top 10 yet again. A buzzing ground floor leads into the basement den where you can find live music, a rotating cocktail theme and over 300 whiskies! It all comes together magnificently.

Address: 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ
Book here

6. Blinker, Manchester

Into 6th from 41st last year, it’s Blinker in Manchester. Named after a forgotten classic (a cocktail of rye, grapefruit, and raspberry), this bar is all about seasonality and local ingredients. Expect a menu that changes on the monthly, with dedicated Martini and Old Fashioned sections standing out, as well as generous No-Lo serves.

Phone number: 0161 236 8225
Address: 64-72 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ
Book here

5. Hey Palu, Edinburgh

The best cocktail bar in Scotland, say Hey to Palu. It’s quaint, intimate, and modern, with a focus on Italian aperitivo styles. Amari, Bitters and Vermouths are everywhere, all soundtracked by killer songs. Expect Negroni and Martini classics, as well as twists like the signature White Strawberry Negroni. Oh, and the bar team are award-winning in themselves! A complete cocktail offering.

Phone number: 0131 285 6752
Address: 49 Bread St, Edinburgh, EH3 9AH
Book here

4. Couch, Birmingham

Narrowly missing out on the Top 10 last year but now up to 4th it’s Couch in Birmingham. Behind the bar is the 2024 Bar Team of the Year, working hard so you can relax and enjoy their cinema-inspired handcrafted cocktails, for example A Bronx Tale with Malfy lemon, blood orange and Cocchi Di Torino Vermouth. Clean, spacious, relaxed and artistic.

Address: 1466 Pershore Rd, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2NT
Book here (walk-ins only)

3. Passing Fancies, Birmingham

Step onto the podium now with another Brummie spot – Passing Fancies. Climbing 29 places from last year, this laid-back spot only opened in 2022 but has already established a stellar reputation for its ‘kitchen at a house party’ style. As the name suggests, the team embrace themes and change, but generally specialise in fruity delights like Adult Ribena and Berry Cobbler.

Phone number: 07542 839882
Address: 30 Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham B9 4BF
Book here

2. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London

In 2nd place, and the highest London finish of the entire list, it’s last year’s winner, Satan’s Whiskers. Rather than the swanky London style, it embraces a more unassuming character – think taxidermy, hip-hop, exposed brick, and unique décor. It’s famous for its community feel, with daily menu changes, expert mixology, and a famous atmosphere. Try the Bloody Mary with tacos and quesadilla if you go.

Phone number: 02077398362
Address: 343 Cambridge Heath Rd, London, E2 9RA
Book here

1. SCHOFIELD'S BAR, Manchester

And it’s Manchester that takes the top spot! It’s Schofield’s Bar, the brainchild of famous Mancunian brothers, not Liam and Noel but Joe and Daniel Schofield. Their iconic venue sits on the corner of art deco beauty Sunlight House and offers reasonably priced classic cocktails and in house twists making use of their 25 years of bartending expertise. It’s such a distinguished bar and the literary themes pull everything together nicely. A worthy winner, and shimmering jewel of the North.

Phone number: 07311 777606
Address: 3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3JZ
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The Franklin & Sons Top 50 Cocktail Bars 2024:

1. Schofield’s Bar – Manchester

2. Satan’s Whiskers – Bethnal Green

3. Passing Fancies – Digbeth, Birmingham

4. Couch – Stirchley, West Midlands

5. Hey Palu – Edinburgh, Midlothian

6. Blinker – Manchester

7. Swift Soho – London

8. Amaro Bar – Kensington, London

9. Panda and Sons – Edinburgh

10. Tayēr + Elementary – Shoreditch, London

11. Kwãnt – Mayfair, London

12. Speak in Code – Manchester

13. Three Sheets – Dalston, London

14. 🔶🟥🔵 – Hackney, London

15. Murder Inc – Soho, London

16. Tabula Rasa – Leeds

17. Lab 22 – Cardiff

18. Filthy XIII – Bristol

19. Crossroads – Newington Green

20. The Connaught Bar – Mayfair, London

21. Project Halcyon – Manchester

22. SOMA – Soho, London

23. Eve Bar – Covent Garden

24. Side Hustle – Covent Garden

25. The Hideout – Bath

26. Little Mercies – Crouch End, London

27. Below Stairs – Leeds

28. Silverleaf – Spitalfields, London

29. Bar Termini – Soho, London

30. Seed Library – Shoreditch, London

31. Charlie Brown’s – Glasgow

32. Bramble Bar & Lounge – Edinburgh

33. Scarfes Bar – Holborn, London

34. Happiness Forgets – Hoxton, London

35. The Absent Ear – Glasgow

36. 69 Colebrooke Row – Islington, London

37. Artesian – Fitzrovia, London

38. Callooh Callay – Shoreditch, London

39. Fox and Chance – Birmingham

40. The Milk Thistle – Bristol

41. Nauticus – Edinburgh

42. Public – Sheffield

43. The Gate – Glasgow

44. Nightjar – Shoreditch, London

45. Ojo Rojo – Bournemouth

46. The Wildcat – Edinburgh

47. Lyaness – South Bank, London

48. Pennyroyal – Cardiff

49. Bench – Sheffield

50. The American Bar – Auchterarder