Top bartenders in the mix to find London’s best signature cocktail

Six signature creations from the capital’s best mixologists have been revealed ahead of London Cocktail Week.

About 200 of the 300 bars involved in the event submitted cocktails to a judging panel, who picked their favourite six.

The panel included bartender Bea Bradsell, the daughter of Dean Bradsell — the Soho cocktail expert who created the Espresso Martini and the Bramble — and London Cocktail Week founder Hannah Sharman-Cox.

The shortlisted concoction from West End destination Aqua Spirit is a bittersweet Japanese cocktail with Aperol and plum sake. London Bridge bar Nine Lives served up a beguiling drink with black tequila, pistachio syrup and fresh watermelon, which judges felt was “very much of the moment”.

The winning cocktail, to be named next Wednesday, will earn its bar team a trip to the Cayman Islands.

Organisers of the event, from October 2-8, expect more than 26,500 people to attend but have promised to “eliminate queues” by going digital.

Festival director Siobhan Payne said: “This year London Cocktail Week is bigger and better than ever, with even more bars involved offering £6 cocktails. Each bar has created their own signature cocktail, the epiphany of their bar, and on our map you can look at each of the bars and what they’re serving. There used to be wristbands but now we have gone completely digital. People just need to download the DRINKUP.LONDON app and then that’s their key to the week.” She said the cocktail “village” — in Old Spitalfields Market — will be the “biggest ever”.

Aquafaba to coriander cress: finalists’ ingredients for success

Bar: Aqua Spirit

Cocktail: Nigai Amai

A bittersweet Japanese cocktail made with Ketel One, Aperol, plum sake, punt e mes and pineapple bitters. The judges enjoyed how it complemented the style of the venue that created it.

Bar: The Wigmore, The Artesian

Cocktail: Blended Union

The Wigmore’s own Saison beer blended with Amaro di Angostura, fresh union coffee, mango and honey. The judges enjoyed how refreshing it was — and the unusual ingredients.

Bar: The Four Sisters Townhouse

Cocktail: Riverside Sour

Bay leaf-infused Buffalo Trace, Mastiha, sour apple and aquafaba. The judges enjoyed the herbaceous flavours and the nod to current trends.

Bar: Henson’s Bar

Cocktail: Coriandrum

Napue Rye gin, homemade three-citrus sherbet, Belsazar red vermouth, bitters and coriander cress. This short, punchy drink was an instant crowd-pleaser, and the home-made ingredients added real depth.

Bar: Nine Lives

Cocktail: Pink Flamingo

Don Julio black tequila, pistachio syrup, fresh watermelon and a dash of white balsamic. The judges felt this was a drink very much of the moment and a great indication of the London bar scene right now.

Bar: Every Cloud

Cocktail: Lady Marmalade

Marsala wine mixed with marmalade, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. This low ABV cocktail taps into the aperitif trend which is sweeping the capital. The judges felt this simple drink would be easy to replicate while still being perfectly balanced.