A man walks into a bar...

Charlie Hope gets the insiders guide to the art of selecting and ordering the perfect drink.

London is currently the best city in the world for bars, packed with the world’s best bartenders who have excellent knowledge of drinks and cocktails. This is an undisputed fact. But the wide range and array of spirits and liqueurs in any decent bar in London can be overwhelming to say the least. It's all too easy to just order a vodka and Coke (or even worse, a vodka and Diet Coke – hear that sound? It’s the sound of shuddering bartenders all over London) or never venture further than your usual Jack Daniel's. Some people wrongly assume that anything on a back bar is going to be hideously expensive, not necessarily the case. But don’t worry, with a few tips from us and some of London’s best bartenders, a gleaming back bar filled with row upon row of shiny bottles of spirits need never intimidate you again…

Let’s start here - ordering by spirit brand is cool. It says to your companions, (or your crew, depending on how street you are) “I know what I like, and I like what I know”. It can say as much about you as the jacket you wear or the haircut you rock. It can be a statement, or even become your signature drink. In the bling bling world of US hip hop everyone from Tupac to Jay-Z has rapped about their brand of choice. You won't get a glazed expression appearing on your bartender’s face when you stroll up to the bar, look them in the eye, smile, and order: “Woodford Old Fashioned, please,” or “a Belvedere Martini, with a twist”. (Man, you’re looking good by now).

Don't be afraid to talk to your bartender, get his or her advice on the matter. Remember, your average bartender took this job because they like a drink, and because he or she is a very social, friendly person; they like chatting about drinks. Unlike many industries, bartenders actually enjoy their jobs; make the most of their knowledge!

If you are buying a round of shots, try bartenders’ favourite Jagermeister, or AKA favourite Patron XO coffee tequila, and always offer to buy a shot for the bartender as part of the round. And lastly, for gawd’s sake tip...always tip.

We chatted to some of London's best bartenders in some of our favourite bars and asked them the same few questions. Now we dare you to put it all to the test. But go easy tiger…

Duane Shepherd was one of London’s original super-bartenders and now runs Squeeze Bar events, organising bars at high profile events like Bestival, The Big Chill, the BAFTAs and MTV at Cannes Film Festival.
www.squeezeuk.com

If someone normally drinks Jack Daniel's and Coke, what else should they try?

If that person is my date then I will definitely suggest trying a cocktail, but changing the brand from Jack Daniel's to say Blanton's Gold or even Buffalo Trace which is a bit stronger in taste and strength. I might suggest something like a Bourbon Smash or even a Julep to keep things simple; the drink will be stronger but the balance and finish will be a lot smoother and not as sweet as Jack Daniel's. If it was just a punter walking into a bar then I know that this person is open to suggestions and I might suggest an aged rum like El Dorado Special Reserve from Guyana with a couple cubes of ice.

If they just can’t get past a vodka and lemonade / orange?

Well again, there is nothing wrong with drinking just a spirit and mixer. A premium spirit normally found on the back bar will be of a better quality than your house pour so for a vodka and tonic I would suggest looking at the back bar in their vodka section. I would normally go for Belvedere or Grey Goose vodka with Fever-Tree tonic, lots of ice and a squeeze of fresh lime; works every time. Believe me, I drink the stuff by the bucket load!

What classic cocktail never goes out of style?

The Old Fashioned has always been a bench mark cocktail for me over the years. I love drinking them and I can also judge a bartender's knowledge and experience by ordering one.

If a customer is on a first date, what should they order to try and impress?

A glass of Krug Champagne never goes amiss to impress the finer sex…works like a charm. If it is action you are after, do not try to get your date drunk, this does not lead to anything good unless your fetish is watching someone being sick over your shoes while you hold their hair back.

What’s your favourite spirit when you’re out drinking and which brand do you order?

My favourite spirit has always been rum, after all, I am from the Caribbean where we drink a lot of it, normally straight, with an ice water chaser. Appleton VX is my chosen brand for winding down after a hard day in the office served large over a couple of cubes of ice. But if you cannot get your hands on Appleton VX then normally any aged rum over five years will give you a nice complexity of flavours to savour while mulling over the tax returns.

If a customer wants to buy you a straight up shot, what are you drinking?

I will go for an aged tequila any day, don’t shot it, sip it and appreciate the depth of the spirit! Thomas Estes has just launch OCHO Tequila onto the London bar scene and I have had the pleasure of tasting this fine and unique tequila, and believe me it gives a whole new meaning to tequila, gone are the days when you wake up with a hangover the size of Big Bird and a tongue as dry as the Sahara.

Tell us either something you love about alcohol, a strange but true fact or a bit of spirit or bar lore!

Rum sweet rum, when I call, you bound to come!

Tobias Blasquez-Garcia came to London from Ibiza and worked his way up from bar back to manager of several high profile London bars, and is now a much respected cocktail guru. A couple of years ago he and some friends opened Pintxo People in Brighton, authentic bar y tapas, and last year they opened Pinchito in Old Street.
www.pintxopeople.co.uk

If someone normally drinks Jack Daniel's and Coke, what else should they try?

Many people order Jack Daniel's because they think that it’s the best bourbon there is. I’m not saying it isn’t nice, but there are lots of better bourbons to try. I would offer them a taste of some other whiskeys.

If they just can’t get past a vodka and lemonade / orange?

Vodka orange is a long drink, quite refreshing and citrus-y, so I would recommend they order a vodka Collins, or ask the bartender for a long, fruit vodka-based cocktail.

What classic cocktail never goes out of style?

A classic cocktail by its nature will always be in style. Me, I like a margarita, or a Manhattan.

If a customer is on a first date, what should they order to try and impress?

With food, order an apperitivo. Otherwise, a glass of Champagne or cava, or perhaps a cava-based cocktail. Champagne looks and feels special, and in a cocktail is both special and impressive.

What’s your favourite spirit when you’re out drinking and which brand do you order?

For me it changes...at the moment I am drinking whiskey, Talisker, or Buffalo Trace, Cragganmore Distiller’s Edition, all the Compass Box range.

If a customer wants to buy you a straight up shot, what are you drinking?

Tequila. Always aged, at the moment I like Ocho.

Tell us either something you love about alcohol, a strange but true fact or a bit of spirit or bar lore!

I love the way each spirit has history. Hundreds of years ago, in each and every corner of the globe and independent to each other, families and tribes were making an alcoholic drink, creating a spirit and all the traditions that went with it. They distilled it, fermented it, purified it, aged it, and then started again to improve it, with love and passion. When I take a sip I think of this history.

Marco Torre has been at AKA almost since the beginning, and is now our much loved bar manager and creator of the current AKA cocktail menu.

If someone normally drinks Jack Daniel's and Coke, what else should they try?

Perhaps some Kentucky whiskey, Jack Daniel's is a little too sweet for my liking. What about having it without Coke for a change? Try something new today!

If they just can’t get past a vodka and lemonade / orange?

They should get over it by trying a flavoured vodka Collins.

What classic cocktail never goes out of style?

Cosmopolitan.

If a customer is on a first date, what should they order to try and impress?

What we call at AKA a “shot for men” which is usually based on Wray & Nephew overproof rum.

What’s your favourite spirit when you’re out drinking and which brand do you order?

It would have to be rum. El Dorado would be my choice. Not many places stock it though. (Available at AKA now!)

If a customer wants to buy you a straight up shot, what are you drinking?

A quick shot would be Amaro Averna, a bit like Jagermeister but better balanced. Made in Italy of course.

Tell us either something you love about alcohol, a strange but true fact or a bit of spirit or bar lore!

The origin of the Martini as with most of the cocktails has many stories to tell, one of them is that the classic dry Martini was invented in 1912 by Mr Martini from Arma Di Taggia. This is a tiny little town two miles away from where I am from, I found it very odd and was touched by that fact.

Phil Huckle’s love of spirits started when he tended bar in New Orleans, USA. He is now European Brand Ambassador for Stolichnaya vodka and one of the UK’s leading spirit experts.

If someone normally drinks Jack Daniel's and Coke, what else should they try?

Wild Turkey Bourbon - Very rich, smooth and buttery.

If they just can’t get past a vodka and lemonade / orange?

Stolichnaya Vanilla.

What classic cocktail never goes out of style?

Martini (vodka or gin).

If a customer is on a first date, what should they order to try and impress?

One of the Stolichnaya infused cocktails at the Stoli bar at Harvey Nicholls or the Pornstar Martini at Lab or Townhouse.

What’s your favourite spirit when you’re out drinking and which brand do you order?

It would be Stolichnaya vodka, Havana Club 3 year rum, or Beefeater gin depending on my mood.

If a customer wants to buy you a straight up shot, what are you drinking?

Chilled Stoli, Patron XO Café or Herradura Silver but no Jagermeister!

Tell us either something you love about alcohol, a strange but true fact or a bit of spirit or bar lore!

April 12th 1962 as Yuri Gagarin is waiting to be blasted off as the first man in space he is recorded by Russian ground control singing about drinking Stoli.

In 1975, Russian cosmonauts smuggled Stolichnaya up into space in their feeding tubes. They even put a Stoli label on. When they met the American astronauts they toasted the occasion with Stoli, meaning Stolichnaya was the first and only brand in space!

The whole bar team got involved at Shochu, here are their recommendations. Shochu specialises in sake based drinks. Shochu Lounge @ Roka.
www.shochulounge.com

If someone normally drinks Jack Daniel's and Coke, what else should they try?

Giaco - Old Fashioned.
Heinze - Whiskey Sour.
Walter - Liquorice Whiskey Sour.
Kim - Woodford Reserve.
JoJo - Makers Mark (bourbon) or any whiskey cocktail.

If they just can’t get past a vodka and lemonade / orange?

Giaco – A shot of absinthe!
Heinze – Elegante.
Walter – Elegante.
Kim - Elegante from Shochu Lounge. Thanks Tony Conigliaro! (Legendary bartender who created the cocktail list at Shochu).
JoJo - A Kasia Laska, Old Fashioned but with Zubrowka Bison vodka.

What classic cocktail never goes out of style?

Giaco – Martini.
Heinze – Caipirinha.
Walter – Cosmopolitan.
Kim – Margarita.
JoJo – Martini.

If a customer is on a first date, what should they order to try and impress?

Giaco – Champagne.
Heinze – Overproof rum, guaranteed action!
Walter – Rose Champagne or a Bellini.
Kim – Dom Perignon or Krug Champagne.
JoJo – A fine wine.

What’s your favourite spirit when you’re out drinking and which brand do you order?

Giaco – Wray and Nephew rum.
Heinze – Tanqueray 10 gin.
Walter – Mount Gay Rum.
Kim – Patron tequila.
JoJo – Pyrat rum.

If a customer wants to buy you a straight up shot, what are you drinking?

Giaco - B-55
Heinze - Sambucca
Walter - Tequila
Kim - Patron Anejo or XO coffee tequila
JoJo - Not very good at shots, something woosie!

Tell us either something you love about alcohol, a strange but true fact or a bit of spirit or bar lore!

All – Customers who tell us “I'm not so think as you drunk I am!”

For Charlie Hope's personal tips on where to do your drinking, check out her Secret London here.

Published: 10/03/2008