Who's ready for a season of chowing down on cheese, keeping cosy at winter pop-ups, and hitting the office parties hard? While December may be the month of Christmas celebrations, it also signals the start of winter and you’re going to need something to keep warm. From a sky-high pop-up dedicated to steaming cocktails to old-school eggnog and iconic Irish coffees, we’ve rounded up the best hot toddies in town.
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Top Hot Cocktails In London For 2024
Ham Yard Hotel: The Hot Chocolata
Always one for a creative concoction, The Winter Martini Garden at Ham Yard Hotel doesn’t do things by halves. This season, there are tartan blankets, hot water bottles and sparkling lights setting the scene on the roof terrace.
Soak up warming drinks like The hot Chocolata, inspired by 17th century flavours with a warm chocolate and orange taste. They're also serving an 18th century-themed toddy - a fiery ginger twist on the classic winter warmer. Tickets are £24 per person and include a welcome milk punch followed by a cocktail of your choice.
Book your ticket for Ham Yard Hotel's roof terrace this winter.
Queen of Hoxton: Boozy Mulled Wine
Inspired by the iconic masquerades of gothic Venice, Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop pop-up has been given a glitzy makeover. Head up to this Shoreditch space where you’ll find multiple seasonal serves alongside the usual beers and wines.
As for the warmer kind, they're offering both mulled wine and winter cider, which you can turn into a cocktail by adding various shots like Jameson, Absolut Blue vodka or Beefeater gin.
Things are getting ho-ho-hot at this Shoreditch hangout.
Swift: Irish coffee
When it comes to Irish Coffee, there’s only one place that you should be thinking about. A glorious choice all year round, Swift’s take on the classic isn’t strictly for winter, but now’s the perfect time for it. A silky smooth combination of Jameson Caskmates and demerara-sweetened filter coffee topped with hand-whipped cream and nutmeg, it’s snow good.
They say Santa likes milk and cookies, but we reckon he's partial to one of these bad boys.
Fire And Fromage: Boozy Hot Chocolate
The clocks have gone back, the nights are getting colder and you’re going to need to keep warm. Not content with the hot water bottle and layers combo, Fire And Fromage is the waterside pop-up that welcomes you under twinkling lights in a cosy cabana. After devouring a feasting menu of unlimited Alpine raclette, burgers and toasted s'mores, end your eve with a boozy hot chocolate.
If it's not served with unlimited raclette, we don't want it.
Gaucho Piccadilly: Mulled Malbec
Dust off that cheesy Christmas jumper and get your gift wrap at the ready because Gaucho's Piccadilly outpost has been transformed into the ultimate seasonal retreat, complete with cosy blankets and lots of wine. There’s a selection of limited edition drinks bringing a piece of Patagonia to this winter terrace, via mulled malbecs and more.
One for wine lovers, this might be the best hot toddy in London.
Midnight Apothecary: Hot Toddies
Chocolate smothered s’mores, a snuggly fire-pit, and hot cocktails? Midnight Apothecary are at it again. Prepare for a whole load of merrymaking as this East London favourite shakes up a selection of festive creations. If the local beers, non-alcoholics and fizz don't do it for you, you can keep cosy at The Brunel Museum with a classic Hot Toddy, blending sage and orange peel with rum or whiskey.
Midnight Apothecary is a great winter date night option.
Miracle at Henrietta Hotel: Hot Buttered Rum
After taking The States by storm, Miracle has landed in London once again, with its kitsch holiday décor, costumed bartenders and nostalgic tipples in tow. Born in New York, this merry pop-up is taking over the Henrietta Hotel with its seasonal tipples.
Served in Santa-themed mugs and shot glasses, their cocktail offering includes a Hot Buttered Rum - combining Myers' rum with velvet falernum, mixed spiced butter, oat milk and nutmeg.
Christmas has come early at this miraculous pop-up.
But wait—there’s myrrh. For more inspiration on what to do this month, check out our extensive guide to winter in London and sign up to our newsletter.
