Latest news with #summerdrinks
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I went to London's best rooftop bars – and one felt more like Mykonos than being in the city
Jenna Stevens Published: Invalid Date, NOW that summer is in full swing and the heat is truly turning up, there's one spot like nowhere else to make the most of this weather - the rooftop bar. So I visited some of London 's most popular rooftop bars to see which ones are really worth it 18 Here are five of my favourites to visit if you are in the city this weekend. (Some of them feel like being at a beach club abroad, but for half the price). Magic Gardens, Victoria Flight Club Flight Club in London's Victoria is a buzzing spot for after-work drinks and competitive darts with friends. It's popular for its retro fairground decor and stunningly suave bars, serving everything from craft beers to velvety espresso martinis. It might be best known for its indoor high-energy darts, but take a step outside into their Magic Gardens and you're transported into a dreamy rooftop escape. As soon as I stepped out onto the terrace, I was hit with a vibrant floral explosion. It was a total contrast to the vintage feel of the indoor bar. The Magic Gardens are like a hidden oasis tucked between skyscrapers. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers make for a beautiful escape from the bustle of the surrounding city (and also make for a great Instagram backdrop!) The drinks menu is full of fresh, summery cocktails. The 'Rose-ito' in particular caught my eye. It's a blend of rose-flavoured vodka with fresh lime and mint - the perfect floral refresher to sip in the summer heat. Trendy English seaside town has rooftop bar that 'feels like the Med' 18 18 London Bridge Rooftop Bar In the centre of London, just minutes from Borough Market, is London Bridge Rooftop Bar. This colourful hangout is built for partying and spectacular skyline views. After making my way up a series of stairs (you forget that to visit a rooftop bar, you have to actually climb to the rooftop) I walked out onto a lawn decorated with picnic benches and bold colours. This spot definitely has a party vibe, with booming beats blasting through the speakers and a DJ booth right in the centre. It feels like a mix of city bar and Ibiza beach club, but weirdly it works. Business professionals were flocking in straight from the office, snacking on truffle fries in their suits and sunnies. 18 18 18 18 Think sipping on an Aperol Spritz and biting into a gourmet smash burger, all a stone's throw away from The Shard. The rooftop has DJ performances from 6pm Thursday through Saturday, playing the best in house and garage. They also do a bottomless brunch on Saturdays that tends to sell out. 90 blissful minutes of bottomless Prosecco, Aperol, mimosas and beers with burgers and fries for £40 per person. Given the location, views and vibe, I think it's well worth it. Circe's Rooftop This gorgeous rooftop bar felt less like London and more like Mykonos. After walking up a staircase full of painted clouds and mythical goddess quotes, I stepped out into a world of peachy pink beachfront bliss. With its palm trees, parasols and beach hut bar, why go for a girl's trip to Marbella when you can sip and sunbathe in Waterloo? This beach club style rooftop bar is just minutes' walk from a busy station. But once I arrived, I instantly forgot about where I really was. Less Northern line, more Negronis. 18 18 The rooftop has a truly Mediterranean vibe, offering mezze and small plates to go with your piña colada or kiwi margarita. The small plates are 3 for 2 if you're there before 5pm, and range from spiced kofta lamb skewers to chilli tiger prawns. I could honestly spend all day snacking, sipping and pretending I'm away on holiday. I also couldn't help but notice the espresso martini chocolate flavoured ice cream on the puddings, served with Hotel Chocolat chocolate sauce. 18 18 Frank's Cafe If you're looking for something a little more quirky and artsy, Frank's Cafe in Peckham really took me by surprise. It has a much more urban and industrial feel, an effortlessly cool vibe, and is also the cheapest of the lot. After walking up a hot pink staircase, you step out onto a giant playground. The bar is hidden at the back of a giant rooftop, as you walk by unique art installations that make you feel like you're in Berlin. 18 18 It's a cheap and trendy spot where people gather for toasties, iced cocktails, and to watch the sunset over the London skyline. By night, the rooftop is buzzing with groups sharing jugs of cheap drinks and enjoying food from the grill. Drinks like alcoholic slushies are served in takeaway style cups at wooden benches for that no-frills urban feel. It all felt a bit too cool and concrete for me, but the £5 drinks stole my heart. This quirky spot is a great place for casual drinks with friends, a cheap bite to eat, and some pretty spectacular views over the city. 18 18 Market Halls Victoria Opposite London Victoria station is a bar where street food market hall meets swanky rooftop hangout. You start by choosing your food in the downstairs market hall, where various venders offer a range of affordable eats. Burgers from Black Bear smelled divine, and the ever-popular eggslut was serving their famous breakfast style sandwiches. I grabbed myself a tub of gelato from Badiani, and headed upstairs. 18 18 This rooftop terrace was an absolute suntrap, and the perfect spot to enjoy the street food and soak up some rays. The atmosphere is lively and the music is loud, with many gathered to watch the busy world go by with an ice cold pint. The bar also hold live music events and regularly show football matches, making it a solid spot to meet up and soak up the summer vibes. And three other rooftop bars outside of London Goodness Gracious Roof Garden and Bar, Liverpool Located in Liverpool, Goodness Gracious Roof Garden and Bar can be found on the eighth floor of West Africa House. With views of the city's iconic 'Three Graces' - The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. The bar is open from 12pm till late, Wednesday through to Sunday and has been described by previous visitors as a "real sun trap". 20 Stories, Manchester Over in Manchester, 20 stories is split between a roof terrace, restaurant and cocktail bar. And this summer, the bar has partnered with Aperol for a bespoke Spritz menu. The venue will also host live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Guesthouse No.42, Margate Guesthouse No.42 opened in Margate back in 2023 and in the same year the spot opened their new rooftop terrace bar. The bar features amazing 360 degree views over the beach front and serves a wide range of tipples including local beers and wine. However, it is currently the only rooftop bar in Margate - so could be busy in the summer months.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Globe and Mail
Five ready-made, non-alcohol drinks to enjoy for a refreshing summer
If you're being mindful about how much you're drinking this summer, one of the best ways to surf the urge for a cold bevvy is to find a non-alcoholic alternative. This category has grown rapidly over the years, and hundreds of options are available for every occasion or desire. You might experience sticker shock at the high price of cocktails without booze in them – whether on a menu or shelf – but there is a good reason for that cost: Zero-proof drinks require innovation and more ingredients, according to Valérian Roy, co-founder at non-alcoholic spirits distiller HP Juniper. 'Crafting a high-quality spirit without alcohol as a flavour carrier means we must rely on a more complex blend of botanicals, aromatics and natural extracts to deliver the same depth, structure and satisfaction,' Roy said. More Canadians are skipping booze – forcing cities to adapt their nightlife If you're reaching for something at home, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to experiment is to go for a canned non-alcoholic drink. Here are some refreshing choices to try this summer that are worth the cost. Pro tip: Don't drink these straight from the can. Find some ice and a nice glass for a better experience. The zero-proof gin and tonic is one summer drink you can count on to be a reasonable facsimile of the real thing. The catch is a lot of canned gin and tonic mocktails are available and not all of them are good. One of the best options you can find in Canada is a hidden gem. NOROI Brise Glace Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic is made in Quebec and has notes of bright citrus, juniper and a little bit of gentle heat emulating the real thing. Brise Glace Non-Alcoholic Gin and Tonic (Canada), $12.99/four-pack at There's something magical about margaritas, and drinking zero-proof doesn't mean you have to miss out on the salty smoky lime combo we all love. If you want to mix up a great mockarita, one of the very best non-alcoholic tequilas available is the made-in-Canada HP Agave. If you're more interested in opening something easy, the most exciting option is Parch Drinks Co. Parch has created a line of non-alcoholic margarita-style drinks using desert botanicals such as blue agave and packed full of lime and smoky heat. The Desert Margarita is a classic margarita flavour, while the Spiced Piñarita is like a juicy, fiery pineapple mezcalita. Parch Spiced Piñarita (U.S.), $24/four-pack at Nothing says summer like sitting on a bistro patio with an Aperol spritz. Fortunately, a lot of restaurants have opted into the mocktail trend with this iconic drink, creating bespoke in-house syrups and elixirs to dupe the bitter candied-orange aperitif flavour. For at home, my long-time favourite is from ISH Spirits, a Danish company that harnesses its non-alcoholic sparkling wine and a bitter aperitif together to create a bottled spritz. The resulting drink is not overly sweet, with fun bubbles and that classic Italian Riviera vibe. The bottle is 750 ml and serves four or five, so just open it, pour over ice and maybe add a slice of orange for some vitamin C. Cin cin! ISH Spritz (Denmark), $19.95/bottle at Non-alcoholic wine options are getting better and better. If you don't want to risk trying a full bottle of non-alcoholic wine, a great way to dip your toe in is to try the 250 ml cans of Cognato Chenin Blanc. Cognato is a non-alcoholic wine brand from South Africa and its wines are all made with grapes from low-yield vines in the coastal regions of South Africa. Its Chenin Blanc is bright and fresh with a hint of minerality and tart acidity, and it doesn't taste like grape juice. Cognato Chenin Blanc (South Africa), $8/can (two servings) at Try something fresh from In Good Company, a new female-founded Canadian drink line from the West Coast producing a line of functional mocktails with summer cocktail tastes. The Key Lime Mango Mojito is a flavour bomb you'll want to have on repeat, and the Watermelon Tajin Marg mocktail is like a Jolly Rancher in a can. All four of their drinks are low-sugar, have prebiotic ACV in them and include a hit of low-dose caffeine to give you a boost. In Good Company (Canada), $25/four-pack at
Washington Post
13-06-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Look to your pantry for a sweet, salty and sour virgin margarita
Though there's no shortage of exceptional ice-cold nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy on a hot summer day, there are times when it feels like nothing but a frosty margarita will do. It's been over a decade since I broke up with booze, and while I don't miss the alcohol, hangovers or stupid ideas that flood my brain when tequila enters my bloodstream, I do miss all the other things that make margaritas special: the tart jolt of fresh lime, the undercurrents of bitter orange and agave, the playful smack in the mouth from a salt-coated rim.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The crazy summer 'It-coffees' that really ARE worth £5: From blue lattes to pink matchas... these are the iced coffees to go for - and which to avoid
Would you like your iced latte with a shot of lavender? How about a dollop of strawberry jam? Or perhaps a layer of tiramisu? Yes, you read that right. Just as supermarkets wage seasonal wars to reinvent humble staples (Marks & Spencer 's 'dippy egg' hot cross bun, anyone?), Britain's coffee shop chains are now engaged in a race to create the wackiest drinks for summer.
Globe and Mail
11-06-2025
- Globe and Mail
Eight wines to enjoy in June, from $13-$100
It's time to freshen up my wine selections to enjoy at home. Having a good supply of vibrant but gently flavoured whites and rosés on hand to grab and go is the first order of business, rounded out by a mix of other bottles – timeless classics and rising stars – to enjoy throughout the summer. Canadian winemakers feature heavily in my seasonal drinking lineup, but this week's recommendations focus on international selections that are more widely available. More flag-waving favourites will appear soon. Value for money is another important mindset – this season more than most. The quality-for-money ratio doesn't just apply to top-notch bargain bottles such as Codorniu Brut Cava or the Beachhouse Sauvignon. It also factors into the selection of more expensive offerings, such as the Trimbach Réserve Pinot Gris and red blends from BLK + BLU and Oreno. You don't have to spend $100 to secure a great bottle of wine, but, for anyone willing, this high-quality, complex wine with aging potential from a family estate in Tuscany is worth the splurge. BLK + BLU Blend No. 4 Shiraz Cabernet 2023 (Australia), $39.99 Rating: 90 Produced by Australia's Aberdeen Wine Company, which also produces the Angus the Bull label, this cabernet sauvignon and shiraz blend from vineyards in Heathcote is designed to pair with richer, grilled meats. Made in a medium-bodied and balanced style, this offers a complex mix of berry and cherry flavours with spice, mint and American oak-derived coconut notes. This has 14.5 per cent ABV and 1 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Manitoba, $36.99 in New Brunswick. Codorniu Clasico Brut (Spain), $16.99 Rating: 88 One of the classic names in Cava, Codorniu is an intense and freshly focused sparkling wine. The bubbles are persistent and fine, while the lemony citrus flavour is rounded out by floral and chalky notes that carry through to a refreshing finish. It's enjoyable on its own and an affordable base for mimosas, bellinis or, in place of prosecco, for a drier Aperol spritz. This has 11.5 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2027. Available at the above price in Ontario and Manitoba, $17.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $17.35 in Quebec, $18.59 in Prince Edward Island. Domaine Lafage Miraflors Rosé 2024 (France), $19.95 Rating: 90 A blend of grenache gris, grenache noir and mourvèdre from Roussillon in the south of France, Miraflors Rosé continually offers a pretty and peachy version of rosé that's made for mass appeal. It's made in a dry style with an abundance of fruit flavours, ranging from strawberries to limes to white peach, that may inspire some to trot out the trite expression that it's like 'summer in a glass.' The sumptuous taste calls to mind a taste of the Mediterranean as part of a rosé that's substantial enough to serve year-round. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2026. Available at the above price in Ontario ($18.95 until June 22), $23.75 in Nova Scotia, $21.99 in Prince Edward Island. Ferzo Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore 2022 (Italy), $17.95 Rating: 89 This expressive and dry white wine is made by Ferzo, one of the brands operated by Abruzzo's largest winery, Citra. Made with the pecorino grape, it offers an enticing mix of floral, tropical, citrus, herbal and saline notes that are refreshing and easy to appreciate. This has 13 per cent ABV and 4 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available in Ontario. Oreno 2022 (Italy), $99.95 Rating: 94 Tenuta Sette Ponti's flagship wine, Oreno, introduces cabernet franc into its blend for the first time in 2022. The vintage is comprised of 45 per cent merlot, 40 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 10 per cent cabernet franc and 5 per cent petit verdot from the family's certified-organic estate vineyards in Tuscany. The resulting style is richly concentrated with a core of dark fruit accented by savoury oak-derived flavours. The supple texture is supported by a polished structure, with a long vibrant finish. This has 14.5 per cent ABV and 2 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2035. Available at the above price in Ontario, $115.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta. Umani Ronchi Vellodoro Pecorino 2024 (Italy), $17.95 Rating: 89 The family-owned Umani Ronchi winery in Abruzzo has been working to revive the fortunes of the pecorino grape variety since 2005. The grape is widely cultivated in Abruzzo, where it produces stylish, dry white wines with a crisp and refreshing character that's tailor-made to serve with seafood and fish dishes. The focused flavour suggests a mix of citrus and apple with nutty and saline notes that are simple and satisfying. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 5 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario and Quebec (2023 vintage), various prices in Alberta, $21 in New Brunswick, $20.79 in Nova Scotia. The Beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (South Africa), $12.95 Rating: 87 A slight addition of 15 per cent semillon contributes weight and texture to this appealing South African sauvignon blanc. The focus is squarely on the grape variety's riper tropical personality, offering a mix of passion fruit and pineapple with some citrusy freshness and a tease of herbal notes. It's a great style and price for summer entertaining. This has 12.5 per cent ABV and 3 g/litre r.s. Drink now. Available at the above price in Ontario, $13.99 in British Columbia, various prices in Alberta, $14.99 in Manitoba, $15.99 in New Brunswick, $13.85 in Nova Scotia, 15.59 in Prince Edward Island, $17.99 in Newfoundland. Trimbach Réserve Pinot Gris 2018 (France), $37.95 Rating: 92 Family-owned Trimbach, which has been producing wine in Alsace since 1626, bottles its wines with a classic, understated label that speaks to the winery's timeless appeal. The Réserve Pinot Gris is produced with a mix of estate-grown and purchased grapes, which contribute to the complex mix of pear and peach fruit flavours with honey, spicy and nutty notes. Released as a seven-year-old wine, this is a delicious white that displays the rich and rewarding side of pinot gris. This has 13.5 per cent ABV and 8 g/litre r.s. Drink now to 2028. Available at the above price in Ontario, $32 in Quebec.
