Must-taste cocktails in Leeds

ByAlex

Fleming

As a top UK party destination, it’s hardly surprising that Leeds has lots to offer to get your evening off to an elegant start.

The city boasts a cornucopia of cosmopolitan restaurants serving both great food and drink, and many have extensive and bewildering cocktail menus to temp you too. Discerning customers on the look out for the new and creative mixes will find an eclectic offering in Leeds city center. Mixology is the buzz with opinion formers keen to try something new.

Our taste panel of 3 chic females together waltzed through Leeds in search of the top 5 tastiest creations. Here are some their favorites to kick start your night.

Mona Talina

Abi

Where:The Alchemist

A spectrum of flavours and colours come together in this ‘opposites attract’ cocktail. Take a trip back to the school lab, and let this cocktail create the perfect chemical reaction.

Why a best seller? Head cocktail maker says: “ This is more about the visuals!”

What did the girls think?Talina: “It’s the appearance of the cocktail that appeals to me!”Abi: “This is a cool and quirky. It tantalises the taste buds for sure”Mona: “Wow!”

Ingredients:Vodka, apple liqueur, cherry drops, sugar syrup, apple juice, citric acid and soda

The Colour Changing One

Coolest

Where?Neon Cactus

A Madonna-inspired lush infusion of papaya, lime and watermelon, muddled with tequila, brings the flavours of the South American rainforest to your mouth.

Why a best seller?Paul Gillian, GM says: “I wanted to create something with ingredients that reflected the zest, passion and ingenuity of Madonna: hence lime for zest, papaya for passion and lowland tequila for ingenuity!”

What did the girls think?Talina: “I’m not the biggest fan of papaya but combined with all the other ingredients, it’s gorgeous”Abi: “You could enjoy this alcohol free! Something to sip on next time we have dinner?”Mona: “It’s refreshing and exotic!”

Ingredients:AquaRiva Blanco, fresh lime, papaya, watermelon, Agave Tequila.

Papaya Don’t Preach

Freshest

Where?The Botanist

A classic sweet and sour combination. Raspberries rippled with undertones of sweet Italian almond with a bang of zesty lemon to excite the taste buds.

Why a best seller?

Ex waitress Hannah says: “This short is a favourite for women. The flavours work well to compliment each other. Everyone loves it.”

What did the girls think?Talina: “This is my favourite drink by far!”Abi: ”Out of the ones I’ve tried this is by far the sweetest, the girliest and the yummiest”Mona: “Mmmmm raspberry with amaretto. This is such a good flavour combo that I never expected!”

Ingredients:Raspberries, Amaretto, sugar syrup, lemon juice

Raspberry Amaretto Sour

Girliest

Where:Angelica

The full English. A no brainer. A clever concoction of your classic English breakfast ingredients, expertly brewed to kick start your evening, or maybe even your morning!

Why a best seller?Cocktail maker Henry thinks: “It’s just a bit out there. It uses all your brekkie faves, especially gin!”

What did the girls think?Talina: “The tea flavour makes the drink so surprisingly refreshing”Abi: “This is light and the ultimate palette cleanser”Mona: “Who knew all the English breakfast favourites could be shaken up to create this cocktail. Its tasty on another level!”Ingredients:Tea, marmalade ,honey, lemon, egg white, orange juice, gin

Angelica

English Breakfast Martini

Most surprising

Where?Angelica

Mint and sugar topped off with bourbon complete this cocktail. Served over heaps of crushed ice, this is the perfect summer cooler.

Why a best seller?Cocktail maker Henry says: “it sells well as customers want something tasty but refreshing at the same time.”

What did the girls think?Talina: “My favourite cocktail is a Mojito, purely because I love the taste of mint, but this is something else!”Abi: “I like the way this drink it served. It not only looks cute but it taste like a mouthful of heaven”Mona: “It can be enjoyed in both the summer and the winter which makes this drink so versatile.”

Ingredients: Fresh mint leaves, brown sugar, bourbon

Mint Julep

Cutest