London Cocktail Week

British Cocktails

Inspired by London Cocktail Week, this month's drinks guide is a tribute to the British cocktail scene. We take a look at the history of the British cocktail and show you five recipes you can try at home.

The British cocktail was born in London in the 19th Century. As the British Empire grew, products from all over the world arrived on our shores including exotic spices, Indian punches and Caribbean rums which really started to influence the food and drink scene, especially in London.

Along with the arrival of new and exciting spirits, the influence of US and European travellers who wanted a taste of home played a part in the emergence of the cocktail. The final component was the introduction of ice, which allowed bar tenders to serve drinks on ice.

It was around this time that many of the famous hotel bars we know today including the Savoy, Dorchester, Claridges and the Connaught appeared. With innovation and experimentation, the cocktail really took off. In 1790 John Collins invented the first Collins, in 1840 James Pimms created the Pimms House Cup in the Oyster Bar London and in 1858 Johann Schweppe produced the first sparkling tonic water. As London became a centre for film and theatre, bars opened up taking the cocktail to the masses. Cobblers, Juleps, Flips, Punches and Martinis did the rounds.

Fast forward to the present day and the cocktail is experiencing a modern revival. It's as if we are going back to the beginning again with a real focus on the Vermouths and bitters that dominated the scene in the 19th and early 20th Century. Speakeasies are all the fashion and the old classics are making a strong come back.

Contrastingly, there is a very creative movement in Britain currently, influenced by chefs like Heston Blumenthal, labelled molecular mixology. Bars have become science labs creating amazing potions.

The British bar scene today is very vibrant nationwide and this month we will be celebrating the cocktail revival and asserting Britain's place in the cocktail world with a week of tastings and classes to teach you how to bring the bar home.

Best of british

Most of the cocktails that were invented in Britain were gin based, as it has always been a favourite British tipple and readily available. The British public's rather unhealthy obsession with gin was immortalised in Hogarth's Gin Lane in 1751. Below are a few of the most famous ones.

Cocktails & dreams by Dawn Davies

  • Vesper Martini

    Created for author Ian Fleming by Gilberto Preti at Dukes Bar. He liked it so much that he mentioned it in his first James Bond novel Casino Royale. Serve shaken not stirred, of course.

    • 75ml of gin (a London dry works well)
    • 25ml of vodka
    • ½ a shot of dry vermouth
    • Shake all the ingredients and strain into a chilled martini glass

    Try: Beefeater market edition

  • Bramble

    Created by Dick Bradsell at Fred's Club in Soho in the 1980's. Bradsell was another very influential bartender who went on to train some of the most famous names in the bartending world today.

    • 50ml gin
    • 25ml fresh lemon juice
    • ½ shot of sugar syrup
    • ½ a shot of crème de mure
    • Shake the first three ingredients with ice then strain into a glass with crushed ice and top with the crème de mure

    Try: Hendricks

  • Hanky Panky Martini

    Created in the early 1900's by Ada 'Coley' Coleman in the Savoy's American Bar, it was made for a customer who wanted something with a bit of punch in it. When he tasted it, he declared 'That is a real hanky panky' and the name stuck.

    • 45ml gin
    • 45ml sweet red vermouth
    • 5ml Fernet Branca

    Try; Chase apple gin

  • White Lady

    Created in 1919 by Harry MacElhone at Ciro's club. Harry MacElhone was one of the earliest celebrity bartenders and set up Harry's Bar New York among others.

    • 45ml gin
    • 25ml cointreau
    • 25ml lemon juice
    • 1 fresh egg white
    • Shake all the ingredients and strain into a chilled martini glass

    Try: Sipsmith gin

Email the sommelier

If you have any queries about cmsCocktails, or wine, contact me at dawn.davies@selfridges.co.uk.

All wines listed are 75cl and all spirits 70cl unless otherwise specified. Stocks are limited and subject to availability. The right to withdraw stock or alter prices without notice if the cost of replacement rises or falls due to fluctuation in supplier prices, exchange rates, duty or VAT. O & E excluded.