London’s best cocktail bars may be off limits for a while yet. But many of the faces behind them are still working hard—hand making cocktails and organising deliveries across the city. So if you’ve got a little extra cash to splash around for that Zoom party, flat meeting or badly-organised games night, you’re in luck. Plus you get the added value of smugly telling your friends how important it is to keep small businesses alive. To that end, here’s just a few of our favourite London cocktail delivery services.
gulp. by Lollipop
Lollipop has made headlines as one of London’s more creative immersive experience companies. Their usual spots include a 1940s codebreaking bar, a Breaking Bad inspired meth lab themed bar, and a naked restaurant. Given their pop-up chops, it’s no surprise that they were quick to adapt to London cocktail delivery, bringing bottled booze right to your door.
Everything is mixed and bottled by hand in Chelsea, and each drink comes with a classy garnish for that from-the-bar touch. A few bottles with a housemate is enough to turn even the dingiest of living rooms or balconies into a brief immersive cocktail experience (drink at heights responsibly, folks).
The paloma and punchy funhouse are especially tasty. Meanwhile, coffee lovers will appreciate the espresso martini, which builds up a pretty good head of foam if you shake it like hell before pouring.
The same day deliveries are lightning fast if you’re within 5 miles of Chelsea. One-off boxes of three, six or twelve usually work out at around £5.00 per serving.
The Duppy Share
Founded in London, The Duppy Share brings an expert blend of Jamaican and Barbadian rums to London’s cocktail scene. In regular times, you can enjoy their rum at Trailer Happiness, one of our favourite not-so-secret gems in Notting Hill—where they’ve been known to collaborate on £5.00 rum punches during Carnival month.
Right now though, they’re offering “Mini Festive Rum” kits from £25.00. The kit comes with two rather nice copper cups, a 200 ml bottle of rum, their special Christmas syrup and two bottles of Fever Tree Ginger beer. Just add ice. You can make three or four drinks using the kit. We recommend keeping some extra mixer handy to get the most out of it.
If you’re treating yourself (or someone else) the spiced rum is a step above the competition. Just mix 50 ml with 25ml of lime juice and 25ml simple syrup for a frankly worryingly easy-to-drink pineapple daiquiri.
The Sun Tavern
One for east Londoners, The Sun Tavern is usually best known for whisky and craft beer, but has the home cocktail experience down to a science. The main draws are the “Quarantini” and cocktail kit boxes, which range from £30.00 to £50.00.
Shop Cuvée
Led by Brodie Meah (Top Cuvée) and Max Venning (Three Sheets), this online store connects London with several of the city’s trendier cocktail joints. Everything within the catchment zone is delivered next day by cycle courier, with free delivery on orders over £50.00.
In terms of choice, you’ll see signature cocktails from the likes of Three Sheets, Scout, Mr Lyan and Black Lines. These include, negronis, martinis and gimlets by the bottle, along with more unusual picks. Prices usually add up to around £5.00 per serving. There’s a decent selection of craft beer and wine too.
You can also order super-bougie restaurant quality ready meals from their kitchen. Perfect if you’re looking to recreate a fancy night out from the comfort of your cramped flat.
Callooh Callay
With its eclectic décor and inventive menu, Callooh Callay in Shoreditch is well worth adding to your list of cocktail bars to visit when things reopen. Until then, you can sample a slightly pared-back offering of bottled cocktails.
The current selection includes Christmas specials, like a ginger and mandarin mule, and winter rum punch, both from £39.00. There are also hampers.
Callooh Callay’s same-day deliveries are free across most of London, and come with ice. So you don’t need to go through the whole charade of buying essentials when all you really want is a bag of ice.
Don’t have the time or cash to order cocktails in? Here’s our favourite quick and easy cocktails to make at home.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in May, 2020. Last updated in November, 2020.
