If festive films have taught me anything, it’s that Christmas is a time for miracles. A time when singing can power Santa’s sleigh, eight year-olds can outwit burglars, and unsupervised kids can mount a festive takeover of an airport (honestly a cracking film, and a lot less terrifying than it sounds). And handily, London’s very own Christmas miracle is back int town, as the charmingly festive cocktail bar Miracle at Henrietta has opened for its fifth year of cocktail-fuelled revelry and festivity.
Miracle is a big hit over in the US, but the London stop is once again the only place in the UK you’ll find it in 2022. And quite frankly, the rest of the UK are missing out big time. Being American in origin, you’d be right to assume that Miracle is bigger and less restrained than the usual English Christmas gathering. Just like last year’s bar, they’ve brought gloriously kitschy décor to town. Aiming to transport you back to Christmases past, an army of throwback Christmas ornaments, colourful lights, and an oversized fireplace have transformed the Henrietta Hotel (hence the name) into a ravishingly retro space.
The drinks are a Miracle too
Eye-popping décor is hardly the only string to Miracle’s bow, however. Their wonderfully wacky Christmas concoctions are just as outlandish as the décor, all bearing whimsical names like Jingle Balls Nog (cognac, sherry, cream, milk, and spices). Recent years have also seen drinks like the Bad Santa (a hot toddy of cider, sherry, cinnamon, and popcorn & bacon butter) and the Christmas Carol Barrel (Reposado Tequila, Coffee Liqueur, Dry Curacao, Spiced Chocolate, Aromatic Bitters, Orange Bitters). This year’s new addition to the festive menu is the Christmapolitan, made up of vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, lime, rosemary and an absinthe mist. Absinthe mist – now that would cause for dangerous misty days in London.
All the drinks are served in gloriously tacky Christmas vessels – witness the SanTaRex, which is served in a dinosaur glass – so you’ll be full of festive cheer by the time you tumble back to reality. Snacks from Italian Supper Club, including arancini with fontina and cavolo nero, olives, mortadella and carasau bread, king oyster mushroom skewers, and Italian fried chicken will keep you satisfied between libations too. Not bad, eh? Our advice? Go forth and sleigh those cocktails!
Find Miracle at 14-15 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8QH, open until December 23. Nearest station is Covent Garden. Book your visit here.
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Also published on Medium.