Bring the bar to you: the best cocktail delivery services

If, like me, you’re thinking longingly of the days spent drinking with friends in some of London’s finest establishments – then worry no longer, here are some of best ways to enjoy your afternoon tipple from the comfort of your own home.

There’s never been a better time to get into whisky – and Milroy’s has you covered. This Soho gem is shipping its finely curated whisky collections to your door. A simple online order brings you the best from around the world – Scotch from the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Islay and Campbelltown; Bourbon and rye from the United States; and a host of other malts from Japan, Sweden, Australia, South Africa and more.

For the real connoisseur, try their Drams to your Door service, with a flight of 5 35ml drams delivered according to your tastes. These folks even offer at-home tastings. They send you the whisky, a cute little glass – and then invite you to join a 90-minute conference call for the tasting!

If whisky’s not your thing, then you might enjoy The Proofing Room – the new basement cocktail bar from the team behind Soho’s acclaimed The Vault now offers an imaginative menu of cocktails for same-day delivery (orders before 5pm) within two miles of their Spitalfields site, or within 48 hours across the UK. It’s a niche East London offering, but the menu is vast – Nikka Highball, Vodka & Cream Soda, Figuette, Tequila & Habanero Fizz – it goes on. Delivery is free.

Moore House is a joy for any cocktail lover. Their beautifully bottled and packaged cocktails gave me a disturbing sense of nostalgia – a throwback to simpler times, when drinking outside of your own home wasn’t taboo. Recommendations on how to recreate that feeling – picking the right glass, when to serve with and without ice, garnish recommendations – restored faith. Their personalised cocktails may make a fun gift too.

For more pre-bottled concoctions, try Tapp’d cocktails and Pirate’s Grog Rum, both of whom are offering a delivery service during lockdown and will have you snap happy in no time.

Those in search of the best vintages should try our very own wine expert Johnny Ray’s fabulous list of wine delivery services.