The Craft Cocktail Co
London-City and East London
May 11, 2018
While swankier outfits might pride themselves on refined tipples lovingly prepared by suited barkeeps, this youthful Bethnal Green dive puts an all-caps emphasis on flavour and fun. Housed in a cavernous brick railway arch, its mixologists brew up cocktails in bulk, ready to pour out to a surging crowd of bar goers. The choice varies monthly, but can include a Big Smoke Bloody Mary, spruced up with liquid hickory smoke, or the floral Geisha, which blends vodka with rose water, lychee and a hint of raspberry. There are also some voguish concoctions on their long permanent menu, including an Espresso Martini laced with salted caramel, as well as a roll call of classic drinks. The large, airy premises leave plenty of room for cocktail wizardry, which includes making gin in-house, DIY carbonating, and bottling drinks ready to be bought in bulk and taken home from the bar’s onsite shop. The speedy service and generous happy hour deals give this place a young and lively vibe, and make it the perfect place to kick-start a night out. But there’s no pressing need to push on. The bar’s outdoor patio is made for long summer nights, adorned with picnic tables for anyone looking to sip the night away on a seemingly neverending menu of batch cocktails.
