London dominated a list ranking the best bars in the world this week, which gave top nods to The Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel for creating inventive cocktails made with ingredients like hibiscus flowers, roasted coconut, tamarind and sesame oil.
It’s the second lofty title given to The Artesian and mixologist Alex Kratena, both of whom emerged stars at major industry event, Tales of the Cocktail, earlier this year. This week, The Artesian topped trade publication Drinks International’s World’s 50 Best Bars list.
The cocktail menu is described as an effortless blend of modern innovation and classic reverence. In layman’s terms, that translates to shelling out about £15 (Rs 1,276 approx) for a cocktail like the Pink & Gold, made with Gran Centenario Plata tequila, fresh lime and a homemade syrup of Chinese white tea, hibiscus flowers and rose petals. Complete with a high-ceiling and exquisite vintage furniture, this designer lounge, named after the 360ft-deep artesian well under the hotel, also offers all-day dining.
Votes are cast from an “academy” of 150 influential bartenders, bar owners and brand ambassadors from 40 countries. The Artesian’s win this year knocked longtime favourite PDT, short for Please Don’t Tell, into second place down from the 2011 top spot. PDT is a New York speakeasy accessible via a vintage phone booth.
Votes are cast from an “academy” of 150 influential bartenders, bar owners and brand ambassadors from 40 countries. The Artesian’s win this year knocked longtime favourite PDT, short for Please Don’t Tell, into second place down from the 2011 top spot. PDT is a New York speakeasy accessible via a vintage phone booth.
Overall, six of the top 10 bars hail from London, two come from New York, and the remaining bars are from Sydney and Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, members of the European user-generated review site Qype named Edinburgh’s Bramble cocktail bar the best in the UK.