1. The Sherbert One at Drink Shop Do, N1.
Rum, and sherbert of your choosing, served with a jelly sweet. It's like a child's drink, but for grown ups. YUM. Plus, you're in King's Cross so it's super handy (especially if meeting out-of-towner friends).
Price: £7.50
Find out more here
2. Hix Fix at Mark's Bar, W1.
Cherries, apple liqueur and champagne, served in a gorgeous champagne saucer. Dangerously drinkable.
Price: £13.50
Mark's bar has a no reservations policy, but if you time things well you won't have trouble getting a table. Find out more here.
3. A Negroni at Frank's, SE15.
Only open during the summertime, Franks' Campari Bar is a Peckham institution. It gets packed in the evening, but the views make up for it.
Price: £5
Find out more here.
5. The Black Pearl at Claridge's Bar, W1.
You can't beat Claridges for old-school swankiness. The bar is comfortable, you get free snacks, and the drinks are impeccable. The Black Pearl (it's the middle left) has vodka, blueberries, Chambord and more.
Price: £16.
Claridge's Bar operates a no-bookings policy, but as long as you time it well, you'll get a seat. Find out more here.
7. A Journalist at Happiness Forgets, N1.
I might be biased towards the name, but the cocktail is strong and peppy, with gin, vermouth, cointreau. Made to be sipped.
Price: Approx £8.
You can book a table here, but you're best off to sit up by the bar.
8. A Hibiscus Fizz at the Shop, NW10.
A plesant surprise in Kensal Rise, The Shop is a bit shticky, serving drinks in old milk bottles. But the drinks are good, and the Hibiscus Fizz comes in nicely under budget, mixing elderflower, prosecco and a hibiscus flower.
Price: £4.
Find out more here.
9. An Old Fashioned at Evans and Peel Detective Agency, SW5.
10. A Chilli Apple Martini at Ruby's, N16.
Pleasingly spicy, and apple-y with a hint of vanilla, this is so much more than just a martini. The stairs to get into the bar are incredibly steep though, so it's not great if you have limited mobility.
Price: £8
Find out more here.
11. A Clear Bloody Mary at Bob Bob Ricard, W1.
Bob Bob Ricard is wonderfully decadent, styled like the inside of the Orient Express. There's a golden bar underneath the restaurant (which is now closed until March 2014), and a smaller bar on the first floor. Containing vodka, tomato essence and mineral water, the 'Natalia Vodianova' turns a lovely pretty pink colour too.
Price: £13.50.
Find out more here.
12. A Pickleback at the Sebright Arms, E2.
To call this a cocktail might be pushing it a bit, but there's an undeniable lure to a shot of whiskey (rye in the Sebright) followed by a shot of pickle juice.
Price: Approx £6.
Find out more here.
13. Storm In A Thai Cup at Callooh Callay, EC2.
A curry cocktail, with tequila, lime and chilli? Surprisingly addictive.
Price: £9.
Find out more here.
14. A Mr Hyde at Purl, W1.
Dry ice, cola syrup, chocolate bitters and more make this one magical (and potent) option.
Price: £12.
Purl only take bookings. Find out more here.
15. A Bay Cosmo at White Lyan, N1.
A bay leaf and grapefruit make this Cosmo far more interesting. If you're brave, try their Bone Dry Martini (with chicken bones) or their Moby Dick Sazerac, containing ambergris.
Price: £6
Find out more here.