Ah, sweet, sweet summer in Edinburgh. The wind. The rain. The odd fleeting glimpse of blue sky. Should you happen to be in town and the sun decides to grace you with her presence, there’s not much better to do than seek out a terrace and enjoy a cocktail or two. There are many beer gardens around the town, but not all of those places have the mixing magic. The list below promises a combination of marvellous mixology, great views and hidden corners around the city.
56 North
Situated just along from Potterrow, 56 North is a class bar on all counts but is best-known for its Wow-with-a-capital ‘W’ collection of gins. Let the bar staff guide you towards your perfect serve of gin, garnish and tonic water and you’ll soon find juniper-led refreshment. They have a massive outdoor terrace that fills up sharpish as soon as the sun breaks through the clouds. This August sees the return of the Tanqueray Secret Gin Garden pop-up behind the main bar. The olive tree decked garden courtyard will be buzzing throughout the festival. Tanqueray Perfect 10 Martini served in a silver goblet? Don't mind if I do.
56 North - Jinzu red apple, hibiscus flower, Fever Tree, Tanqueray 10, Pink Grapefruit, Fever TreeLeila Kean
56 North - (front to back) Pink Grapefruit Fizz, Tanqueray Perfect 10 Martini, Haig Club Poster BoyLeila Kean
Paradise Palms
A relative newcomer in the university area, Paradise Palms is a little bit tiki, a little bit cabaret and an awful lot of fun. Very much known as a late night venue, it also makes a good place for summer daytime drinks. Line up the juleps, zombies and margaritas and see how long it takes until you decide Hawaiian shirts are definitely ‘the way forward’. Loud slurping sounds are guaranteed with one of their Piña Coladas... and another please!
Paradise Palms - Piña ColadaLeila Kean
Hotel du Vin
Hotel du Vin brings a classy twist to its drinks list. With a large courtyard area there are plenty of options for outside imbibing including a terrace which is open throughout August. Summer drinks are one thing, and the bar staff do these well; however you should also bear in mind that this is one of the cosiest places in the city to enjoy a drink outside in the winter months. The outdoor whisky snug is well heated, and is the perfect place to sip away an Old Fashioned of an evening.
Hotel du Vin - (L-R) Strawberry & black pepper Margarita, Cuban Punch Leila Kean
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
HN is a class destination all round, not least for their impressive bar and drinks. With premium spirits and ingredients guaranteed, the team here take their cocktails seriously, in a fun kind of way. The fourth floor terrace overlooks St Andrew Square Gardens and has a great view across the Firth of Forth, to Fife. Expect windswept and interesting hairdos, panoramic Edinburgh vistas and nectarous refreshments.
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor - (L-R) Strawberry & Champagne Mojito, Mai Tai Leila Kean
The Tower
Not all views are created equal and you'll find it hard to deny that The Tower boasts one of the fanciest terraces in town. Perched above The National Museum of Scotland, the restaurant is renowned for fine dining, but not everyone knows that you can head up there for liquid refreshment. It's guaranteed to have you reaching for your camera mid-sip to take photos of the panoramic views. A punchy Lady Marmalade martini with vodka, Campari, lemon, house marmalade and bitters won my heart on a recent visit.
The Tower - Lady Marmalade Martini with Ketel One, Cointreau, lemon, house marmalade, vanilla bitters Leila Kean
The Tower - Lady Bute with Hendricks, lime, cucumber, mint, tonic waterLeila Kean
Divino Enoteca
Just below George IV Bridge, you’ll find Divino Enoteca on Merchant Street. This cellar bar and restaurant also has a sheltered courtyard, its old stone walls somewhat reminiscent of an Italian hill town. Famed for its outstanding vini and primo Italian eats, Divino also has cocktails and aperitivi down to a T. Fortnight-aged Negronis are rounded but straight to the point bittersweet delights. The Sorrento's Martini is a zingy summery treat featuring local Pickering’s gin with Galliano, fresh thyme, and house honey and black pepper syrup. Cincin!
Divino Enoteca - 14 day barrel-aged NegroniLeila Kean
Divino Enoteca - Sorrento's Martini with Pickering's Gin, Galliano, lemon, thyme, house honey & black pepper syrupLeila Kean
The Blackbird
A few years back, Tollcross lost one of its old traditional boozers; however at the same time it fortuitously gained The Blackbird. The perfect hybrid between bar and pub, it also happens to have a cracking west-facing outdoor space to the rear of the venue, ideal for afternoon drinks. Cocktails are frolicsome and creative: quaffable summer seasonals include the fruity Apricot and Peach cobbler. Good times pretty much guaranteed.
The Blackbird - Apricot & Peach Cobbler with Belvedere, medium sherry, Lillet Blanc, Apricot Brandy, smashed peachesLeila Kean
Cocktail connoisseur? See Time Out's guide to Edinburgh's best cocktails bars.