Old Fashioned to Espresso Martini: London’s Best Versions and Where to Find Them

London doesn’t just serve drinks-it serves stories. One glass can take you back to 19th-century New Orleans, and the next can rocket you into a 2020s kitchen bar with espresso steam rising under neon lights. The Old Fashioned and the Espresso Martini aren’t just cocktails. They’re time machines. And London’s best bars know exactly how to pilot them.

Why These Two Cocktails Matter

The Old Fashioned is a bourbon-based cocktail with sugar, bitters, and an orange twist, dating back to the 1800s. Also known as Whiskey Sour (pre-1900s version), it was the original cocktail-simple, strong, and unapologetic.

The Espresso Martini is a modern classic born in 1983 when a London bartender, Dick Bradsell, mixed vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur for a model who asked for something to wake her up. Also known as Coffee Martini, it’s now one of the most ordered drinks in the city after midnight.

These two drinks represent opposite ends of the cocktail spectrum: one rooted in tradition, the other in rebellion. But both demand precision. A bad Old Fashioned tastes like sweetened whiskey. A bad Espresso Martini tastes like cold coffee slush. London’s top bars don’t just make them-they perfect them.

Where to Find the Best Old Fashioned in London

At The American Bar at The Savoy, they’ve been making the Old Fashioned since 1893. The bar still uses the original copper mixing glass and a block of ice carved daily. Their bourbon is a 12-year-old Booker’s, and they stir it for exactly 45 seconds-no more, no less. The result? A drink that’s smooth, rich, and lingers like a jazz solo.

For something quieter, head to The Lighthouse in Shoreditch. They use rye whiskey from Kentucky’s Willett Distillery, aged in charred oak barrels. Their sugar cube is soaked in orange blossom water before muddling. It’s subtle, floral, and more complex than most bars even attempt. Order it with their house-made walnut bitters-it changes everything.

And if you want proof that the Old Fashioned still evolves, try Duck & Waffle on the 40th floor. They serve theirs with a smoked maple glaze drizzle and a single charred orange peel. It’s not traditional. But it’s unforgettable.

Where to Find the Best Espresso Martini in London

The Espresso Martini is everywhere in London. But not all are created equal. At Bar Termini in Soho, they use freshly pulled espresso from their own La Marzocco machine. The vodka is Grey Goose, and the coffee liqueur is their own blend-dark, bitter, with hints of dark chocolate. They shake it hard, twice, and strain it into a chilled coupe. The foam? Thick, glossy, and stays for 10 minutes.

At The Bar at The Ned, they go even further. They infuse their vodka with roasted coffee beans for 72 hours. The espresso is cold-brewed overnight and diluted to 12% ABV. The result? A drink that’s smooth, not sharp, with a finish that tastes like a dark roast dipped in caramel. It’s served with a single coffee bean on top-because they know you’ll want to eat it.

And then there’s Nightjar in Shoreditch. Their version uses a house-made coffee syrup instead of liqueur. It’s less sweet, more intense. They add a drop of vanilla tincture and a pinch of sea salt. It’s not just a drink-it’s a meditation. You sip slowly. You close your eyes. You forget you’re in London at all.

What Makes a Great Version?

Here’s what separates the good from the great:

• For the Old Fashioned: Ice quality matters. Large, slow-melting cubes prevent dilution. The sugar should dissolve fully-no grainy texture. Bitters should be aromatic, not medicinal. Orange oil from the peel should be expressed over the top.
• For the Espresso Martini: Fresh espresso is non-negotiable. Pre-brewed coffee tastes flat. Vodka should be smooth, not harsh. The shake must be vigorous-15 seconds minimum. Foam should cling to the glass like whipped cream.

Most bars skip the details. The best ones treat each step like a ritual.

When to Order Which

Order the Old Fashioned when you want to slow down. After a long meeting. Before dinner. On a rainy Tuesday. It’s the drink of reflection.

Order the Espresso Martini when you need a spark. After midnight. Before a night out. When you’ve had three coffees and still can’t sleep. It’s the drink of momentum.

Some people order both. That’s not a mistake. That’s a London evening.

What to Pair With Them

The Old Fashioned pairs best with something rich. A dark chocolate truffle. A slice of aged cheddar. Or, at The Savoy, their smoked almonds dusted with sea salt. The bitterness of the whiskey balances the fat.

The Espresso Martini? Go salty. A bowl of roasted almonds. A plate of salted caramel popcorn. Or, at Bar Termini, their house-made pretzels with truffle salt. The salt wakes up the coffee, and the coffee wakes up the salt.

What to Avoid

Don’t order an Old Fashioned with soda water. Don’t ask for it "on the rocks" unless you want a watered-down mess. Don’t accept a pre-made version. If they’re using a bottle of pre-mixed syrup, walk out.

Don’t order an Espresso Martini with cold brew. Don’t accept a version with whipped cream on top. Don’t let them use instant coffee. If the bar doesn’t have a coffee machine behind the counter, they’re not serious.

London’s best bars don’t cut corners. They don’t need to. The drinks speak for themselves.

Final Thought: The Real Secret

The best Old Fashioned in London isn’t made with the rarest bourbon. The best Espresso Martini isn’t made with the most expensive vodka.

It’s made by someone who cares.

Someone who knows the difference between a stir and a shake. Who checks the espresso shot’s crema. Who remembers your name. Who doesn’t rush you.

That’s the real ingredient.