Yahoo News London Mezcal Week: The best places to celebrate
Over the past couple of years, mezcal has proven itself the rising star of Mexican spirits, a cooler sibling of tequila.
It's a hell of a drink. Made with the heart of the agave plant, its broadly known for its smokey qualities – though, by no means do all of them taste that way. There's something startling about mezcal, about its individuality and its versatility. It's perfect for sipping or as the base of a cocktail – frankly, it's wasted as a shot. Pour it over ice and enjoy.
The capital is celebrating the Latin American spirit under the summer sun this week, as July 15 marks the start of London Mezcal Week.
Whether you're a mezcal expert or keen novice, here's where to try a tipple or two in London.
The Lost Alpaca
Peruvian restaurant Lima Floral relaunched its bar last year with a name that sounds like a children’s book. Still, the drinks are what counts and they certainly pack a punch. Their signature, the Lima Negroni, ticks all the spirit boxes, made up of mezcal, campari, cynar and vermouth. The bar also plays carnival-like Latin American tunes, so if the drinks don’t get you up dancing, the soundtrack will.
14 Garrick St, WC2E 9BJ, lostalpaca.com
The American Bar at the Stafford
Among the highlights at the Stafford's American bar – which, oodles better than it once was, now lives up to its history – is the Moriarty, which blends Vida mezcal with Don Julio tequila, blood orange, grapefruit, agave and lime. The drink is named for Sherlock Holmes' infamous nemesis, who tried to kill the detective as he left the Diogenes Club in St James. Is there a connection between Moriarty and mezcal? Not one that we can work out, but any budding detectives out there should let us know.
16 St James's Place, SW1A 1P, thestaffordlondon.com
Ella Canta
What better place to celebrate London Mezcal Week than at a bar specialising in the spirit itself? This drinking den at this London restaurant boasts a rare selection of mezcals as well as mezcal-based cocktails, including the alluring Nahuani’s Star. There's a lot going on: alongside mezcal, there's ginger liqueur, Suze liqueur, lemon, aloe vera, guava purée, rose syrup and activated charcoal.
One Hamilton Place, W1J 7QY, ellacanta.com
Santo Remedio
This beloved Mexican restaurant is the perfect spot to indulge in some mezcal, and for a place that started off as a series of pop-ups and supper clubs, it’s certainly come along way in the past six years. The decor is as vibrant as the drinks too, with Mexican imagery dominating the walls and little trinkets dotted around the place.
152 Tooley Street, SE1 2TU, santoremedio.co.uk
Cafe Pacifico
This buzzing Covent Garden bar serves more than 150 different tequilas and mezcals. Whether you prefer to shot it or have it mixed into a cocktail, this place has it covered. Fun fact: this spot was formerly a banana warehouse. One for your pub quiz trivia.
5 Langley Street, WC2H 9JA, cafe-pacifico.com
Juju’s Bar and Stage
The mezcaleris menu at this popular Shoreditch haunt boasts well-known mezcals as well as some rare finds. Standout cocktails include the wildly refreshing Mayan Magic with sage tea and blueberries as well as the Agave Sunshine with Aperol (always a winner).
2 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR, jujusbarandstage.com
