“London bars are slowly opening again and this is a great opportunity to remember 8 stops with cocktails telling amazing stories that combine roots, history & heritage with the unique cosmopolitan aura of London.”
London has been the cocktail capital of the world for the past decade. Most new trends popped up and grew there, like the craft gin renaissance, the non alcoholic spirits, the extravagant and complicated garnishes, zero waste bars to name a few. So we are proud that looking back at our own roots we find ROOTS in some of the most important bars of London and the world. ROOTS represent what craft liqueurs can offer for the future of cocktail evolution: pure unique flavours served with history and heritage and topped up with innovation and simplicity.
Let’s start our journey around London through 8 stops and different cocktails, that have been a part of our own history in the cocktail capital of the world for the past few years !
American Bar & the Beaufort Bar at the Savoy
The Savoy’s American Bar is the oldest surviving cocktail bar in Britain, first welcoming guests for its popular ‘American-style’ drinks in 1893. Today, the American Bar in London enjoys a reputation that positions it at the very forefront of the beverage industry – in 2017 it was voted World’s Best Bar at World’s 50 Best and in 2018 named World’s Best again at Tales of the Cocktail – whilst steeped in an incredible and intricate British cocktail history. The American Bar at The Savoy has only employed ten head bartenders in its 125-year history. Recent veterans at The American Bar include Joe Gilmore, Peter Dorelli, Erik Lorincz and for the past two years Maxim Schulte.
Basil Ionides at the American Bar at the Savoy
Roots Mastic, rum, vermouth, cacao liqueur, peychauds bitters
However the American Bar is not the only bar at the Savoy. The romantic Beaufort Bar exudes the glamour of a time when stars graced the renowned cabaret stage at The Savoy, with its dramatic jet-black and burnished gold décor. Led by the bar’s passionate Head Bartender, Elon Soddu, the creation of the menu has been very much a collaborative effort, with every member of the dynamic Beaufort Bar team inventing their very own cocktail.
Frozen Petal at the Beaufort Bar
Tequila Don Jului 1942, Muyu Jasmine liqueur, Roots Rakomelo, Pomegranate, Saline Solution
Our own recent history, apart from the cocktail placements, has also seen our Back to the Roots 2019 UK cocktail competition winner, the incredible Juan Jose Orellano, coming from the Beaufort Bar and the runner up Jason Candid Knusel, coming from the American bar at the Savoy !
“The Back to the Roots 2019 UK cocktail competition winner, the incredible Juan Jose Orellano, coming from the Beaufort Bar and the runner up Jason Candid Knusel, coming from the American bar at the Savoy !”
The Savoy London
Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Cahoots
Cahoots is a 1940s-themed bar located in the heart of London’s Soho. Set inside an abandoned train station, the scoundrels of this station-speakeasy serve up spiffing cocktails, jolly-good rations and live swinging entertainment seven days a week.
“It is not only the tube station atmosphere or the drinks, it is the amazing hospitality and professionalism that Michele Venturini and his staff show.”
We have a long standing love affair with Cahoots and it is one of our favourite bars (if not the favourite one) in London. It is not only the tube station atmosphere or the drinks, it is the amazing hospitality and professionalism that Michele Venturini and his staff show. Well, we also had our first Back to the Roots Cocktail Competition final there, with the likes of Simone Caporale and Ben Reed Check the video below
With a newly open second space above the original one, it is always the place to go if you want to drink world class cocktails in a funky style and feel at home at the same time.
Cahoots
13 Kingly Ct, Soho, London W1B 5PW
The Gibson
The Gibson is a unique drinking den in London's Shoreditch , a small and intimate space, decked out with leather bar stools and etched glass windows. The owner Marian Beke is a one of the most prominent figures of the 2010s era of mixology. Having worked at the London Artesian & Purl, he set up Nightjar and now is the proud owner of the Gibson.
“ANGEL TEARS” with Roots Mastic, cognac, lemon myrtle, walnut paste, greek yoghurt
Marian Beke's genius is obvious in all his creations. “ANGEL TEARS” with Roots Mastic, cognac, lemon myrtle, walnut paste, greek yoghurt balances beautifully many seemingly unmatched ingredients.
The Gibson
44 Old St, London EC1V 9AQ
The Connaught bar
Drop by the Connaught Bar in Mayfair and step into another world. Conversation flows over sparkling glasses and candlelit tables. Behind the bar, mixologists conjure up new concoctions and time-honoured classic cocktails.
“MEDITERRANEAN SODA” with Roots Mastic, vodka, bergamot, grapefruit soda
Agostino Perrone, Master Mixologist for the Connaught Bar and there since its opening in 2008, has led the bar into winning numerous prestigious awards ( World’s 50 Best Bars 2019 #2, place, Mixology Bar Awards 2017 - Agostino Perrone, 'European Mixologist of the Year' 'European Bar of the Year', Mixology Bar Awards 2016 - 'European Bar of the Year' 'European Mixologist of the Year' , 10th Annual Spirited Awards - 'World’s Best Cocktail Bar' and 'Best International Hotel Bar' just to name a few). Giorgio Bargiani is his protégé and together they are more than ready to lead the Connaught bar to a glorious future.
Connaught Bar
Carlos Pl, Mayfair, London W1K 2AL