The mixologist’s mixologists

The Connaught Hotel is a lesson in understated elegance and true class. Its Coburg Bar has the feel of an affable gentleman’s club, but the star space is the Connaught Bar – an elegant space, all low lighting, mirrors, silver leaf and luxurious places to sit and catch up over a well-prepared classic cocktail. If you like something dry, ask for the martini trolley and watch your refreshment mixed at your table.

At Dandelyan at the Mondrian London hotel, Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka bartender Mr Lyan) has continued with the innovation and attention to detail that has earned him high praise for his own bar in Hoxton and his range of bottled mixed cocktails sold at Selfridges. With exotic ingredients including chalk bitters, crystal peach nectar and dandelion capillaire, everything here has a hint of the garden about it and all of it is eminently drinkable.

This classy St James’s bar is one of the very finest places in London to lift a glass, and the bar snacks are pretty stunning, too. Stylish but discreetly so, Dukes is a welcoming place for regulars and newcomers alike. Go for the Martinez (gin, sweet red vermouth, orange bitters and maraschino) and see how easily you’re tempted to have a second.

Hugely popular (they keep some tables for walk-ups, but we suggest you book ahead), Happiness Forgets is Hoxton’s foremost drinking spot. And that’s saying something, given the wealth of bars in this hip end of town. Friendly bar staff will bustle about and bring wondrous mixes to where you sit.

A Mexican bar without the obvious trappings, El Nivel’s stocks lesser-known spirits from Mexico (sotol, raicilla and bacanora) as well as several mezcals and one or two well-chosen tequilas. A smoky and salty Mezcal Fix is mixed with roasted pineapple syrup, Cynar artichoke liqueur, lime and ‘saltwater spray’, while the Durango gimlet is a simple yet delicious combination of Ocho tequila and grapefruit cordial.

‘The bars at The House of Peroni are among some of the best in London,’ says Caporale. ‘I love to work with Peroni Nastro Azzurro as it provides me with real freedom to discover and experiment with delicious and interesting flavour matches, such as cypress tree aroma, fresh coriander and coffee.’

The House of Peroni, October 29 to November 25 2015.