We think we’ve solved the tricky what to buy conundrum, now it’s time to sort out where to go. It’s not a particularly long list and it is very London focused – not by choice we might add but because that’s what we’ve had through. If you want to add anything, particularly for New Year’s Eve, please let us know.
Cocktails
Viajante87 & Los Mochis City & Notting Hill
Pietro Collina, Bars Director at the Thesleff Group has cleverly chosen to highlight the delightful Coquito at all three venues. The Puerto Rican twist on an eggnog style drink features Brugall 1888 rum, coconut cream, cinnamon and nutmeg and positively bursts with Christmassy goodness.
The holiday cocktail offering at this rather grand Parisian brasserie/bar and entertainment space takes in three festive-themed drinks, all of which is served in Bar Americain, the restaurant, Brasserie Zedel and the cabaret spaces, Crazy Coqs and Black Cat Cabaret. Choose from their version of an ever-so slightly twisted Champagne cocktail, Kir Noel,(spiced pinot noir reduction, pomegranate juice topped with Perrier-Jouet grand brut); Cristal, (Codigo 1530 blanco tequila, ginger, agave syrup, lime juice and creme de cassis) and Nectar D’or (Monkey 47 gin, clementine & saffron honey and lemon juice). Our pick is the Réveillon Manhattan (Redbreast 12 year-old whiskey, apple, olorosso sherry, pimento spiced rum and Angostura aromatic bitters).
There’s a great selection of Christmassy drinks in the bar that accompanies Chef Yannick’s popular Pavyllon restaurant – and happily, we liked them all. There’s Holy Berries (butter-infused Belvedere Vodka, black pepper and raspberry cordial and Rasteau Moet et Chandon NV Champagne); Noel Blanc (Eminente Ambar Claro Rum, white cocoa grapefruit, Lillet Blanc, orgeat, clarified milk, bitters); Hearth & Rye (SirDavis rye, chestnut liqueur, picot & beer reduction and bitters); French-ish Coffee (Hennessy VSOP cognac, Belvedere Dirty Brew Coffee, ‘confiture de lait’ cream).
For those not drinking alcohol there’s Douceur De Minuit (cassis berries, vanilla, spiced apple, alcohol-free sparkling wine). The big surprise for us the mulled rosé wine concoction Christmas Angel (mulled Rock Angel Rose wine, Quatre épices, calvados, D.O.M Benedictine and apple extraction) – a very delicious, rather sophisticated take on its overly sweet red sister.
The 15 year anniversary celebrations culminate with the seasonal Merry Quince (Hennessy VS cognac, Moet et Chandon Champagne, quince reduction, amontillado sherry and cocoa nib fat wash), a delicious warm drink that makes the perfect accompaniment to the live jazz on offer.
Paris
Paris bound? Check out the winter chalet at Hotel de Crillon where you can enjoy waffles and hot chocolate. But these aren’t your average waffles and hot chocolate, these are five-star waffles with dreamy toppings dreamed up by the team at Waffl and hot chocolate created by Chef Matthieu Carlin.
Then head inside to the sumptuous Bar Les Ambassadeurs to soak up the Sense of Memories menu. A particular highlight for Christmas is Gingerbread (Remy Martin VSOP cognac, aromatic spices and gingerbread soda).
Hong Kong
This dark, cosy and elegant jazz/cocktail bar has three new cocktails perfect for celebrating the season in style. Choose from their Mulled Wine, a warm, spiced yet elegant creation that evokes the depth of winter evenings, New Century, a sophisticated, floral-meets-chocolate cocktail that balances delicate botanicals with a touch of indulgence and Wayfarer, a vibrant, layered cocktail that marries elegance with bold seasonal flavours.
Hirafu, Japan
Here’s where award-winning Tokyo Confidential gets even cooler, temperature wise, returning for its second winter season on the slopes at Niseko Confidential. On the menu, craft cocktails, curated dining offerings and cozy house party vibes in plus shotskis , new cocktails alongside its à la carte après ski snacks and evening prix fixe offerings.
Celebrations
Did someone ask where to party without getting too hot and sweaty? We think the Black Cat Cabaret at Brasserie Zedel fits that particularly bill very nicely. This evening (Friday 19th December) they’re hosting Cabaret with Claus. The sell? “An evening of shamelessly festive insanity. Classical Nativity intertwines with contemporary insensitivity, all performed with dazzling ingenuity.” What’s not to like about that?
Then on New Year’s Eve Brasserie Zedel invites you to ‘Step into the shimmering world of 1920s Paris’. The evening begins in the Brasserie, followed by an afterparty in Bar Americain with two exclusively curated shows in Crazy Coqs. Expect live music, great drinks dazzling showgirls and more.
Every night is party night at Los Mochis but during the festive season the lively vibes have been turned up a few notches with pumping beats to accompany the excellent Mexican-Japanese dishes.
For New Year’s Eve, Los Mochis London City is going large with Midnight In Tulum. The evening starts at 9pm, with options that include seated dinner to standing drinks, with guest DJ Jordi Ruz on the controls. Champagne in the restaurant leads into mezcal and cocktails on the terrace. Dress code:
At Los Mochis Notting Hill it’s all about Music & Margaritas, with resident DJ and their fab margaritas.
