Not for you the foamy mug or the bubbly flute- oh, no. Your beverage of choice requires the skills of a talented and experienced mixologist. It isn’t plain and simple, nor is it boring and traditional. When you decide to tip back a glass, it’s going to be a splendid concoction of epic proportions. Your drink is a cocktail.
It could be a Tequila Sunrise. Or perhaps you prefer a Cosmopolitan. Whatever your favorite mixed drink, you want to know that your bartender can make it the way you like it. In your hometown you probably already have a favorite cocktail bar, but when you’re on vacation it isn’t always easy to find a really good cocktail. You might be in visiting wine country, or be surrounded by breweries. Or you could be in a major metropolitan city with tons of different types of pubs, but how do you know which one is going to satisfy your wish for a good cocktail?
Here’s a little insider information on some of the most popular vacation destinations in the world and the cocktail bars with the best reputations for excellent atmosphere and talented mixology.
London Libations
Do you enjoy an iconic Tom Collins? The Brits do enjoy the perfect blend of Hendrick’s gin, fresh lemon juice, a taste of icing sugar all splashed with club soda. Come summertime in England, one simply must enjoy a Pimm’s Cup Cocktail garnished with a spear of cucumber, or perhaps an icy Gimlet. London has more of the world’s best cocktail bars than anywhere else, having perfected the art of mixology long ago. Here are a few of the most well- known cocktail bars London, and a few that are still a well- kept secret (….shhhhh.)
- Connaught’s Bar– A supremely elegant atmosphere provides a sophisticated setting for the most mouth-watering martini’s you’ve ever tasted. The Connaught Martini Trolley is a long-standing tradition, bringing the mixology right to your table so you can select your favorite mix of premium gin and vodka, such as Tanqueray 10 or Snow Queen, and flavors including extracts of coriander, liquorice, lavender and more. The Whiskey and Chocolate Tasting is also a pleasant feature.
- Artesian– Extraordinarily chic, this luxurious cocktail bar welcomes a glamorous and elite set to socialize with some of the world’s most tasty rum drinks. Their signature Artesian Punch is a memorable and creative drink, and there are quite a few others that are very popular, such as Best Kept Secret, Silk Route, and Alice in Wonderland.
- Milk & Honey– Popular Soho cocktail bar with three floors of lounges, booths and counter bars that uses only fresh, hand-squeezed lemons, limes and apples in their cocktails.
Barcelona Booze
You know why Spaniards keep their custom of taking an afternoon siesta, right? It’s so they’ll be well rested and have plenty of energy to dance and party the night away. The cocktail bar scene is just as sophisticated as in London, but perhaps a little more lively. Here are some of Barcelona’s best cocktail bars:
- Dry– “Dry” by Javier de las Muelas is actually a group of bars and restaurants in Barcelona, Madrid and San Sebastian that has set the standard for cocktail bars in Spain. Amazing original cocktail creations and succulent tapas make Dry an unforgettable experience.
- Boadas– Anytime, day or night, you are welcome to cozy up to the curved bar and ask for the cocktail of the day or a custom mix just for you. Beautiful art deco design, and walls covered in interesting sketches and paintings create a pleasant atmosphere to sample lots of different cocktail flavors.
New York Nightlife
Known as the City that Never Sleeps, New York likes to party round the clock. It is also one of the most eclectic, diverse and supremely chic cities on earth, so it’s safe to say that these cocktail bars are tops on the list of sophisticated places to enjoy a mixed drink.
- PDT “Please Don’t Tell”– This elegant, luxurious cocktail bar was named the 2013 World’s Best Cocktail Bar by Drinks International, a trade publication for mixologists. It is a very exclusive lounge with brick walls, wooden ceilings, and a deer’s head for company.
- Death & Co- Taste some really killer cocktails, such as their amazing Manhattan, or an Old Fashioned, a Sidecar or Sazerac.
- Pegu Club– Cocktail pouring here is a fine art, with mixologists who are serious about creating perfect flavors with hand-made tinctures and fresh-squeezed juices.
