Ah tequila: a spirit which has colored the tales – and recollections – of virtually each drinker… arguably in equal measures of each the spectacularly good and dangerous. Over the previous few years, tequila – and its varied agave-based buddies, reminiscent of mezcal and the lesser-known gems, raicilla and bacanora, have grow to be extra extremely wanted, with a degree of connoisseurship to rival the likes of Scotch or Japanese whisky.
Alongside this distinct premiumisation comes an exquisite versatility with these as soon as humble agave spirits: from a traditional Margarita, its spicy sibling the Picante, easy, satisfying pictures, smoky Previous Fashioneds or THE Cocktail du Jour, the Paloma, there’s now an agave spirit-based serve on the market for everybody.
In truth, tequila manufacturers are actually seizing each alternative to assist get the buyer into the swing of issues, forward of Nationwide Tequila Day. Just lately, Patrón launched the vastly entertaining Paloma Ventana pop-up in Covent Backyard: an activation in partnership with two Michelin-starred chef, Tom Sellers, the place Patrón reposado Paloma cocktails and Mexican-inspired small plate bites have been handed by means of a tiny velvet-curtained window by a mysteriously skilful hand to these passing by, together with tokens to redeem one other scrumptious cocktail at handful of chosen bars round London, together with Devil’s Whiskers, Aqua Nueva, Aspect Hustle at NoMad and Café Pacifico (see beneath).
All this bought me considering, with a lot occurring round this actually fantastic spirit, the place abouts ought to all of us be heading to get pleasure from it? So, right here’s my decide of a few of London’s finest tequila shops. Salud!
Paloma Café
(Picture credit score: Palmoa Cafe)
An absolute agave gem in each sense of the phrase, Paloma Café, evokes the imagery and panache of a easy, understated however completely fashioned, Nineteen Fifties Mexican Cantina.
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(Picture credit score: The Pelican)
You’ll discover a treasure trove of every part agave behind the bar, from craft tequila manufacturers of all type (blanco, by means of to additional anejo, the oak-matured type) to extra difficult-to-find raicilla and mezcals which is able to change your notion concerning the spirit for the higher. As anticipated, the home Paloma doesn’t disappoint, nor do the small bowls of Anrojitos – or ‘Little Whimsies’ which accompany every cocktail: Mexican snacks with an actual twist! I gained’t spoil the shock right here, so get your self over to Shoreditch to see what all of the fuss is about.
79 Wentworth St, Shoreditch, E1 7TD palomacafe.co.uk
Kol Mezcaleria
(Picture credit score: Kol Mezcaleria tequila bar)
These of you who know a factor or two about Mexican delicacies will little doubt be aware of Kol and its peerless Michelin-starred marriage of the easiest of Mexican avenue meals and seasonal British produce. The restaurant’s basement additionally homes a topflight, stand-alone agave bar too, with the cocktails mirroring the creative fusion of the kitchen. Assume sorrel and hops effortlessly mixing with warming, smoky Leyenda cupreata mezcal, or a Martini combined with Volcan blanco tequila, pine distillate and cucumber and also you’ll get the image on the degree of talent on provide right here.
Decrease Floor Ground, 9 Seymour St, London W1H 7BA kolrestaurant.com
Café Pacifico
(Picture credit score: Café Pacifico)
The OG in the case of Mexican good instances within the metropolis, Café Pacifico has been bringing its distinctive good instances and allure to the capital since 1982 and feels greater than able to preserve supplying them for an additional few many years but. It was based by the late Tomas Estes, a exceptional guru and authority on the earth of tequila, whose (just lately reprinted) ebook, ‘The Tequila Ambassador’ has grow to be an important learn for anybody seeking to additional their information of the world of agave spirits. When you’re after a quiet, post-work, wind-down cocktail, Pacifico is certainly NOT the place: nevertheless, for those who require a stirring of the soul and senses in solely the way in which {that a} well-made Tommy’s Margarita and raucous laughter can present, then there’s actually no the place else prefer it.
5 Langley St, London WC2H 9JA café-pacifico.com
La Bodega Negra Café
(Picture credit score: La Bodega Negra)
A story of two places, very a lot with the identical ethos, however finished in a different way, Bodega Negra’s restaurant gives a really up-market twist on conventional Mexican avenue meals, (assume sea bass ceviche, prawn and lobster tamal and a few terrific tacos), served in an altogether sultry surroundings. Its upstairs café is the other: shiny and vibrant, it additionally possesses one of the complete agave spirits lists I’ve seen in ages: practically 50 completely different tequilas grace the menu: every part from shiny, recent blancos reminiscent of El Rayo and Ocho, to a sublimely aged Patrón Anejo and Tapatio’s Excellencia Gran Reserva, and that is earlier than we come onto the separate mezcal pages containing one other 20+ spirits. There are additionally flights of each spirits to strive, permitting you to grow to be absolutely immersed within the tradition and flavour of the spirit.
16 Moor St, London W1D 5AP bodeganegracafe.com
Decimo – The Normal
(Picture credit score: Decimo)
Heading as much as the colourful Kings Cross culinary quarter and also you’ll come throughout the Normal lodge, which is dwelling to Decimo: the playful area of Michelin-starred chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, whose ardour is the fusion of his household’s Spanish delicacies with a love for all issues Mexico. The meals menu is a vibrant tapestry of daring dishes together with Gambas Rojas, Birria Brief Rib and smaller bites, nestling alongside a flight of 4 completely different mezcals, designed to showcase the range of agave kinds, (reminiscent of Espadin and Tobala) and several other seasonally influenced mezcal cocktails.
10 Argyle Avenue, London WC1H 8EG decimo.london
Doña
(Picture credit score: Dona)
Sticking with the mezcal theme and any aficionado of this lovably smoky delight wants to go on over to Stoke Newington for a go to to Doña, a fabulously vibey bar which is actually devoted to the spirit. Doña was established by Thea Cumming and Lucia Massey, the brains behind London Mezcal Week and the duo seamlessly fuse mezcal into traditional cocktails such because the Negroni, in addition to present a vibrant backdrop of nightly dwell musicians, DJs and performers. Just like the drink they’re clearly so devoted to, it’s a spirited, playful and vastly fun-filled ride-of-a-night-out.
92 Stoke Newington Excessive Avenue, London, N16 7NY bardonalondon.com
Hacha Agaveria
(Picture credit score: Hacha Brixton)
The South London sibling of the excellent unique Hacha in Dalston, which has often graced Greatest Bar lists internationally. Hacha Brixton is a splendidly gentle and ethereal area above the bustling indoor market, with a superbly laid out lounge really feel. The 25-strong listing of spirits is a love letter to every part agave together with raicilla and bacanora and the addition of detailed, value-for-money tequila and mezcal flights and a bottle store, promoting its signature cocktails in able to serve kind, make Hacha a correct must-visit in your path to tequila heaven.
12-14 Market Row, Brixton SW9 8LD hachabar.com
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