Distinctly British and Spanish drinks/cocktails?
Dec 26th, 2001, 06:57 AM
#1
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Distinctly British and Spanish drinks/cocktails?
Hello,<BR><BR>This is lighter fare...<BR><BR>I'm about to head off to London and Spain for my first trips to each of those destinations. What are the cool/tasty/unique cocktails I shouldn't miss in the pubs and clubs?<BR><BR>I'm not much of a beer drinker, btw, but will try anything of unusual merit!<BR><BR>I'm also sort of a lightweight and am into the vodka and gin types of concoctions more than the liqueurs (sp?), but again, I'll try anything as long as it's locally recommended.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR><BR>Kit
Dec 26th, 2001, 09:09 AM
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The British are not big on cocktails - mostly Beer (Lagers, Bitters and Ales) and hard liquors (Scotch Whisky, Gin etc.) But for a light tasty cocktail that you can get in any bar or pub do try a Pimms. Just order Pimms - not Pimms and soda or anything like that. They will mix it with what is called lemonade over there. Not US-type lemonade, more like 7-up but not as sweet. it is very refreshing (forget the other poster about being for old fogies) For a change try a Pimms mixed with champagne instead of lemonade. Wonderful. <BR><BR>Go to the Bar of the OXO Tower on the southbank - great views over the river and a twelve page cocktail menu.
but the first thing I asked for when I went to London was a Pimms #1...they are unable to manage to make a decent one in the States, they try in San Francisco,but the one in London was excellent...Cheers~
Dec 26th, 2001, 09:22 AM
#6
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This is not a cocktail, but I think it needs the atmosphere of a British hotel,pub,lounge-a glass of vintage port.Yummm,nothing like sitting down at the end of a day of walking all over town, and relaxing in a nice lounge with a glass of port....I need to go back to London~C
Dec 26th, 2001, 01:20 PM
#7
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When in London I always get 'cask ale' (also called 'real ale'). This is the hand-pulled pint that's made locally, not pressurized, and always tastes great with low carbonation.<BR><BR>As far as cocktails, gin & tonics are OK and a gin martini at the Dukes Hotel in St Jameses is a must. Gilberto, the bartender, has been there for ages. Scotch whisky isn't English but it's close. They drink more blends than single malts. As mentioned before, port is popular, especially after dinner.<BR><BR>Remember that a hard liquor pour in England is messured, and it's only 1 oz (a typical US bar pours 1.5-2 oz). This makes for weak drinks or expensive ones if you buy a double. That's one reason why I stick with beer (with the exception of at the Dukes). The Dukes bar also makes a great bloody Mary, but it's not what I think of as a 'London' drink.<BR><BR>As for Spain, beer there is also popular but it's more of a light lager. Sangria is a local cocktail that runs from refreshing and tasty to awful (more the later, sadly) depending on the bar. The Cuban drink mojito (rum, sugar, lime juice and club soda) is popular in clubs, as is rum & cola. Sherry is a true Spanish drink and varies from chilled white (fino) that's good with seafood to darker olorosos. They don't drink a lot of the sweet 'cream sherry' that we see in the States and in England. <BR><BR>Spanish 'cognac' (Brandy de Jerez) can be wonderful. Stick with the Solara Gran Reserva, the higher level of quality (it's not real expensive there so why not get the good stuff). They call it cognac locally even though it's not from Cognac, France (it's from Jerez, Spain). It's made like cognac but then aged in used sherry butts (barrels). It takes on some of the richness from the sherry and it's heaven after a meal. My favorites (in order of preference) are Gran Duque de Alba, Conde de Osborne, Lepanto, and Cardinal Mendoza.
Dec 27th, 2001, 05:01 AM
#8
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Although the "traditional" British drink is very definitely beer, cocktails are actually frequently drunk here, especially in London.<BR><BR>Pimms is most certainly not for old fogies, but is very much a summertime drink, best enjoyed outdoors on a hot day. It just isn't as nice in the winter.<BR><BR>There are loads of cocktails out there, and I don't think there are any that are particularly "in" or "not to be missed"<BR><BR>Absinthe is supposed to be the latest trendy drink. I've never had it. It's not the old-style absinthe which is actually illegal in some European countries, but a modern version. You'll find it in any trendy London bar.<BR><BR>My personal favourite cocktail is a "sex on the beach" - shame about the name, but it tastes good. It's made of Vodka, peach Schnapps, cranberry juice and orange juice and tastes great.<BR><BR>Finally, if you find a decent Singapore Sling anywhere in London, let me know. I keep trying them and have yet to find one that bears any resemblance to the real thing.
Dec 27th, 2001, 06:16 AM
#10
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Can't think of any British cocktails off the top of my head, but there are plenty liqueur versions of whisky if you can find them - Glenfiddich liqueur is particularly good! You might also try a Whisky Mac - a measure of whisky mixed with a measure of ginger wine (the best is Crabbies.) Very alcoholic, but I defy you to find anything more warming on a cold day!
Dec 27th, 2001, 01:58 PM
#11
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If you are going anywhere near Valencia (Mediterranean coast) ask for an "Agua de Valencia". It consists of iced orange with cava (Spanish champagne). It's delicious, and very refreshing, but do not ask for it elsewhere, as they add other spirits and don't use real oranges, but ready-made orange juice, and it doesn't taste half as good.
Dec 28th, 2001, 05:50 AM
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If you are going to spend a lot of time in pubs & you are not a fan of lager, ale, etc., you might try hard cider. They offer both sweet and dry cider. It's not as filling as lager and doesn't have a beer taste. Pimms is also good, but I agree with the poster who mentioned it was a summer drink.
Dec 28th, 2001, 09:24 AM
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I can't believe nobody here mentioned a "Shandy". They're delicious and especially if you don't particularly care for beer, even though it's made with beer... They are made with 1/2 pint of lemonade (not really like lemonade in the US, more like a carbonated lemon soda) and 1/2 pint of beer - usually a lager, such as Foster's. After a bit of exploring London, find a pub and enjoy a Shandy. They're very refreshing and light. You WILL get sick of drinking beer, and hard alcohol is a complete waste of money. You have to order a double to get anything even close to the strength of drink you'd get at a bar in the U.S. and the price is double! Wine, however is also more reasonable than hard alcohol and many restaurants have wonderful wine lists. Definitely go to Oxo Tower for a drink and even dinner, but ask for a window table if you do! Beautiful view of London!
