PDF Hot Drinks in Cold London

Hot Drinks in Cold London

Winter is here! The hot summer broke records and caused thermometers to bleed mercury, the American beverage of iced tea, traditionally loved by Southerners, found a new market in the hipster part of London, and there was enough iced coffee flowing to turn the River Thames into a murky cafecoloured waterway. Ice cream was the snack of choice, and even the famous Roman brand of gelato Grom opened a buzzing location just off Piccadilly Circus.

So now it is winter, and we are back to normal with cold weather. With all these new beverages bursting into view, it seems monotonous to return to our now-normal pumpkin spiced lattes. No, the hot beverage drinking public needs to step away from the Starbucks and branch out into a warmer world of deliciousness. With the drop in temperature, Starbucks addresses the autumn palate with their September launch of pumpkin spiced latte. They season our season with their basic drink offerings, including their winter hits of eggnog and gingerbread latte. So, these become our `go-to' drinks as they are easy to order and always on tap. Habitually, we wait for the calendar to go around so we can order them again. Yet, we sometimes forget that there is more to life than lattes with misspelled names on the side of the cup.

Costa, Caffe Nero, even Greggs

Over the past few years, the other coffeeto-go locations have invested in flavoured syrup to coax us away from the green mermaid.Toffee nut, ginger cookie and spiced hazelnut have gained their loyal fans and offer station-dwelling commuters a chance to grab a caffeine/sugar fix with a seasonal flair. What we forget is that a shot of artificial flavouring in a latte that might be lacking in love and skill is not the only option out there.

Hot Chocolate

Has the versatility of this historic drink seen the final fold? No.The Mayans may have invented it 3,000 years ago, but every culture on Earth has tried to give their little twist to the classic beverage. From toppings to spices, this one has variety. Cosy up to the Italian-style `cioccolata densa' at Soho's Said dal 1923 (41 Broadwick Street). It is so thick, it comes with a spoon.

Turmeric and Matcha

Both have one thing in common ? bitterness on their own, but sweet when paired with other ingredients. Known as a golden latte or golden milk, turmeric and coffee are teaming up to provide a "healthy" option to the morning beverage. Anti-inflammatory and good for the immune system, it seems like the perfect winter warmer to keep germs at bay.You may be aware that Starbucks and Pret ? Manger have been peddling their versions of this drink all year, but venture away from the mainstream to Hoxton's Friends of Ours (61 Pitfield Street) for the truly vegan option made with oat milk, freshly squeezed ginger and turmeric.

Matcha has been the new tea drink as of late, and it is also seeing excellent success among hipsters and health nuts alike. About Time Magazine called matcha the "Meryl Streep of green tea". (I wonder what Meryl would think of that!) Again, you are getting antioxidants, energy, some

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Known as a golden latte or golden milk, turmeric and coffee are teaming up to provide a `healthy' option to the morning beverage.

Matcha and Turmeric

FOOD & DRINK

amino acids and claims that it will speed metabolism and reduce stress. Start pouring! Sloane Rangers can pick up a matcha latte at Good Life Eatery, and Fitzrovians are flocking to Curators Coffee Gallery (51 Margaret Street).The rest of us can pick one up at Notes coffee bars around town, and even Whittard shops are selling to-go versions.

Flat White

A recent McDonald's commercial has depicted the intrigue and mystery behind this beverage, especially when the customers ask "What is a flat white?" and the response is both high-browed and condescending. Flat white is an Australian creation dating way back to, er, the 1980s. There was a seasonal problem with milk cows that prevented the milk foaming in the steaming process. Instead, a microfoam was the result.Today, you can get a flat white everywhere in London, but this means that quality is suffering and untrained baristas will give you just a latte with a pretty design on the top.That's not a flat white! The original location is in Soho at a cafe called, you guessed it: Flat White (17 Berwick Street).

Masala Chai

India's liquid export is London's grateful gain. Long before pumpkin spiced lattes, there was chai ? a beautiful blend of black tea, milk, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and garam masala. When done well, it is a

small pleasure that can make a moment feel like a lifetime.When done poorly, it's a powdery concoction of artificial flavours and fillers. St. Ermin's Hotel (Caxton Street) has masala chai on their afternoon tea menu all year around. Dishoom offer unlimited refills on their masala chai at breakfast ? my record is eight! They are served in small glasses, but they pack a punch. Roti Chai (3 Portman Mews South) is a short walk from the main Primark near Bond Street, so it's a great place to relax and enjoy after a rampant day of shopping.

If you feel like making a version at home and toting a flask with you, try this recipe that comes from a corner tea vendor in Mumbai. Remember, you can always substitute the milk for a dairy-free alternative of your choice. For the tea: just over half cup of milk, mixed with water to make a full cup. Add sugar (to your taste) and tea leaves, bring to a boil and then let it simmer gently. Add the masala, taste the tea as it simmers, adjust sugar and masala. For the masala: You can add ginger (gently pounded so that it is squashed), cardamom pod shells, or a mix of both. Experiment.

Hot Bubble Tea

You read that right! Bubble tea is the quirky iced drink that has made its way from Taiwan to Soho in many flavours and varieties. It's normally served as tea, milk or juice, chewy tapioca balls, ice and a fun

coloured straw. But did you know there is a hot version? Oh, yes! Never again do you have to limit your bubble tea consumption to warm days when you can just ask for a hot version. Bubbleology, Cha Time, and Cuppacha all have locations scattered around London with hot options for cold days. Earl Grey milk bubble tea anyone?

Vietnamese Coffee

Beware! This is probably the most exquisite coffee drink you will try this winter. Vietnamese coffee is known as cafe da or c? phe da.You begin with a dark roasted coffee that uses a slow drip metal filter for the water to casually make its way directly into the cup.The iced version is when this cup of coffee is added to a glass of ice, but you can skip this part for winter. Next, instead of just milk and sugar, the preferred addition is sweet condensed milk. It's pure luxury, and really decadent. Since they throw in ice during the warmer season, you'll be able to take this drink into summer; just watch those calories.Vietnamese shops have opened all over town due to

Masala Chai spices

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Long before pumpkin spiced lattes, there was chai ? a beautiful blend of black tea, milk, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and garam masala.

Best Ever Mulled Wine

Serves 12 Prep time Less than 15 minutes Cooking time 2?4 hours

4 tangerines, clementines or satsumas 1 vanilla pod, split lengthways 8 cloves and 8 allspice berries 2 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise 3 bay leaves 300g caster sugar 2 x 75cl bottles of red wine 200ml brandy

1. Cut the tangerines into 4 or 5 thick slices and put them in a large saucepan. Add the vanilla pod, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, star anise and bay leaves. Stir in the sugar. Pour over the wine and brandy and place the pan over a low heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and bubble over a very low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 1?4 hours before serving to allow the flavours to blend. Heat through gently without boiling, then strain, leaving some of the larger spices for decoration, and ladle into heatproof cups.

Courtesy of the Hairy Bikers

the popularity of b?nh m? sandwiches, and you can get your sweet coffee fix at almost every location.Your only caution will be to get there early, as batches of Vietnamese coffee take time to brew and restaurants with high-peak customers at lunch will take away in bulk.

Mulled Wine and Hot Cider

Pubs offer cold beer (ok, 10oC-12oC) all year long. If the rain is pouring down, and you happen into a warm pub (with a roaring fire if you're lucky) the last thing you want is a cold beer. Luckily, mulled wine and hot cider are two options for you.

Most pubs like Young's, Fuller's and Nicholson's have mulled wine made on the premises. Hot cider is also a new addition, with Rekorderlig offering a warm apple cinnamon cider.

Hot Toddy

Asking for a hot toddy might make you feel like you are ordering a remedy of some kind, but this drink has history beyond adding hot water and honey to a whiskey of choice.The recipe dates back to the 1780s, but is often credited to Robert Bentley Todd, an Irish-born physician who prescribed a hot drink of brandy, canella (white cinnamon) sugar syrup and water. Not a bad legacy to have a drink named after you! Alternatively, head up to Hawker House in Hackney where hotbuttered rum and hot chocolate laced with cognac can be your tipple of choice.

Hot Boozy Drinks

In 2017,Time Out held a fun event called Hot Boozapalooza. For ?20, participants arrived at the open lot down from Borough Market to try out five hot con-

coctions from bourbon, gin, tequila, rum and vodka. With no ice or tonic in sight, drinkers were able to explore the hot world of alcohol thanks to featured vendors selling their bottled wares.There's no sign of this event making a come-back at the time of press, but we can still get our warm booze in other places. Selfridges is always a good shout for a rooftop winter adventure so we are looking forward to their bar launch, despite the Christmas shop opening up in August!

Splashing out at Hakkasan might not be on the cards, but maybe a cheeky cocktail can be.Their Ruby Warmer blends together Tuaca brandy liquor, port, cinnamon, nutmeg and liquorice bitters. Irish Coffee is a great stand-by, but Merchant Tavern (36 Charlotte Street) give this simple drink extra complexity with 12-yearold Redbreast whiskey, Merchants molasses syrup and Colombian coffee. With negroni making a mark this summer, perhaps we will see more mulled negroni: campari, sweet vermouth and gin are gently warmed with Cabernet Sauvignon, fresh orange and five spice.

Amber Raney-Kincade is the American Tour Guide in London, offering walking tours and private hire to those looking to explore on foot. Find out more at or follow her on Twitter @AmericanLDN

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