Fancy a festive tipple or two? The lights are up, the Bublé Christmas album is on and the celebrations are starting all over Cornwall as the festive season gets into full swing.
Of course, celebrations and cocktails go hand in hand but where do you go when you’re on holiday in Cornwall this Christmas? We always want to go somewhere a bit special for a must-have cocktail at Christmas time and so we’ve done the difficult work for you (it was very hard!) and have discovered all of the best places to grab a superb cocktail. These places are perfect for catching up with old friends, a romantic date or simply enjoying a special occasion with your loved ones.
Fifteen Cornwall, Watergate Bay, Newquay
This is our absolute favourite holiday haunt for cocktail drinking. We always like to take a walk from Newquay to Fifteen on Christmas Eve in Cornwall. Grab a seat by the bar, nibble on some antipasti, watch the sun set over Watergate bay and delve into Fifteen’s mixological menu for a creative choice of cocktails. My personal recommendation would be the GT Turbo (£8.50) – a classic combination of Plymouth gin, fresh lime and Fifteen’s own homemade tonic syrup, compressed into a glass tumbler. Don’t be fooled by the size of this cocktail, its name is well deserved!
The Shed, Falmouth
The Shed is conveniently situated in Falmouth’s Discovery Quay (otherwise known as Events Square), part of Falmouth’s vibrant waterfront. The Shed is nestled amidst a hubbub of excellent eateries, including its sister restaurants The Shack and The Ranch (next door). It’s a place that takes its cocktails very seriously. Visit the Shed after a spot of late night shopping (Thursdays in Falmouth during December) and enjoy one of their classic cocktails – Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Strawberry Dacquiri or a Long Island Iced Tea. After a night of Christmas shopping out in the blustery cold, why not try something different and warm up with a Fireflower (£6.95)? Made with Absolut peppar vodka, vanilla vodka, fresh lime juice and elderflower cordial, it is shaken and strained into a martini glass and garnished with a finger chilli – a smooth cocktail with a kick!
The Rum and Crab Shack, St Ives
Whether it’s a few drinks with friends and family or a chance to sit, eat and be merry, the Rum and Crab Shack in St Ives is the perfect pit stop. If you are a huge fan of rum cocktails, particularly of the spiced variety, you’re in luck. Their gin menu is extensive and heavenly. They even have a small batch of locally made Cornish spiced rum, Dead Man’s Fingers (£3.10) which tastes much better than it sounds. It’s saffron cake and Pedro X ice-cream flavours with cinnamon, nutmeg and orange notes are perfect for that festive feeling. This is a great spot for a warming cocktail coupled with a stunning sea-view.
Hotel Tresanton, St Mawes
Set on the southern coast, Olga Polizzi’s uber-chic hotel in St Mawes prides itself on mixing the best cocktails in Cornwall. They concentrate on the classics – and they do them very well. The Tresanton’s Bloody Mary’s are infamous, but their most popular cocktail is The Eden Project. It’s made with vodka, peach liqueur, Chambord, grapefruit and orange juice over crushed ice. Just a stone’s throw from The Chapel in St Mawes, there’s an opportunity to enjoy Truro Cathedral Choir perform on 19 December before retiring back to the Tresanton bar. Perfect for a festive evening catching up with friends.
The Beach Hotel, Bude
With delicious cocktails and views over the beautiful Summerleaze beach, there’s usually a lively atmosphere at the Beach Bar. This modern boutique hotel has a gem of a bar, with funky leather armchairs and a cocktail menu designed to stir your imagination. Every weekend they serve a different cocktail special and there’s often great music from guest DJs. Whether it’s a Tarquin’s and tonic or a Cornish Mojito (a local favourite served with mint, lime, cider and a shot of cider brandy), there is a great choice of cocktails, shaken up by their professional mixologists.
