Now that the festive season is well and truly upon us, there’s never been a better time to get creative with your cocktail choices. All your favourite bars are pulling out all the stops to bring you some of the best Christmas concoctions, and it’s time to get sampling. From spiced slow-sippers to drinkable desserts, the team at DesignMyNight have rounded up the best Christmas cocktails in the business to show you there’s more to winter than watery hot toddies and mulled wine.

1. Dirty Martini

The martini mixology masters are back at it again with the Chrimbo cocktails. Every year, Dirty Martini up the ante with their festive concoctions, and this year is no different. Enter the Mince Chai, a heady mix of cherry bitters, allspice berry liqueur, apple juice, gingerbread and chai tea syrups with egg white for that delicious, frothy finish. Garnished with star anise, it’s a smooth cup of Christmas spice.

2. Ping Pong

Sweet and a little saucy, the Naughty Elf is the perfect seasonal accompaniment to your delicious Christmas dim sum at Ping Pong. A twist on the traditional Irish coffee, this indulgent drink combines Jameson whisky, Mozart chocolate and coffee with homemade spicy-vanilla whipped cream for a sweet and creamy cocktail with devilish kick.

3. All Bar One

Nothing says Christmas like a cold and creamy glass of Bailey’s on ice, and All Bar One are taking it to the next level with their festive Bailey’s Blush. Formed of Baileys, cherry brandy, milk and cream, it’s a dream drink for all you lactose lovers and fans of candy pink cocktails.

4. Aviary

High above London’s Finsbury Square, rooftop bar and restaurant Aviary are cooking up something good. Their Hot Chocolate Rum will certainly do its best to warm your bones this Christmas with its mixture of Gosling Black Seal rum, Dark Deluxe chocolate and milk, all served with a sweet and sticky marshmallow garnish.

5. Dirty Bones

Never one to follow the crowd, Dirty Bones have created a unique Christmas cocktail for the festive season. The Fig Poppa features Bulleit bourbon, Pedro Ximinez sherry, cinnamon, figs, lime and Fee Brother’s plum bitters. Full of sweet, citrus spice, it’s a warm and earthy combination perfect for snuggling down into one of Dirty Bones’ comfy booths with.

6. The Hari

For a festive twist on Italy’s most classic cocktail, The Hari hotel in Belgravia is the place to be. Their Winter Spice Negroni combines vanilla infused Bombay gin with Campari, Martini spiced vermouth and cherry liquor to create a bittersweet slow-sipper that will have you hankering for more of the Yuletide tipple.

7. The Piano Works

A space of non-stop live music and late night parties, The Piano Works don’t do things by halves. For their Christmas cocktail, they’ve pulled out all the stops to create The Grinch, combining gold rum, blue curacao, lime, pineapple, mint and a candy cane garnish. This fun and festive cocktail is as ice cold as The Grinch’s heart, but will definitely heat up any Christmas night out.

8. Hush Mayfair

Having turned their iconic courtyard into a ‘Fairytale of New York’, Hush Mayfair is letting you sip on your favourite Christmas ballad as they introduce their Queen of New York cocktail. A fruity and fragrant mix of The Pogues Irish Whiskey, sweet vermouth, fresh orange juice and aromatic Benedictine liqueur, a few too many and you’ll be singing ‘A Fairytale ’ in no time.

9. Searcys St Pancras

Searcys have somehow managed to bottle your favourite festive treat in the form of their Christmas Pudding Martini. Composed of cognac, spiced syrup, apricot liqueur and Madeira wine, it offers a hearty upgrade from the humble pud. Mouthwateringly rich and incredibly moreish, the main danger of this delectable drink is that you may never want a Christmas pudding in anything but this liquid form.

One Aldwych

Sip on the height of elegance at One Aldwych with their festive Nutcracker cocktail. One of five Christmas show-inspired concoctions, it’s a delicate mix of Beluga Russian vodka, fig liqueur, green apple purée, drops of cardamom bitters, and a few slugs of Perrier-Jouët Brut Champagne. Sweet, aromatic with just a hit of green apple acidity, you’ll be immediately transported to a snowy night in St. Petersburg.

For more info on the best bars in London, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Twitter; @DesignMyNight.

By Olivia Cheves