Gear -- 1 day ago
Discover the finest tequila in London
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Tequila – it’s on the rise. Gone are the days of a cheap shot, thrown down the throat along with lime and salt. Today, the focus is on the finest tequilas and mezcals – drinks of immense complexity and intense flavours, drawn from the air of the Mexican desert.
London offers plenty of Mexican bars, yet most stick to offering tequila with a tiny sombrero balanced on top, served alongside pork-filled burritos. El Nivel, however, is different. Here, tequila is king, treated with respect and placed at the centre point of a tall, glimmering and, frankly, exotic bar shelf. The bottles on offer range in price, taste, and geographic origin – with mezcal filling in for those areas of Mexico that can’t produce tequila – yet all are guaranteed in quality.
Brands like Ocho Tequila, Olmeca Altos, and London-based mezcal brand Quiquiriqui are, no doubt, popular options; but novices are best placed in the hands of experts. The absorbing cocktail menu, filled with detailed descriptions, makes a decision all the harder, so giving the bartender an idea of preference outside of tequila is a good idea.
If, like the rest of London, you favour an Old Fashioned, The Smoking President is a different take; with Los Danzantes Reposado Mezcal delivering an intense smoky flavour to the refined, subtle hints of cardamom and lavender. A more classically Mexican option would be La Altena – a margarita made with 2 tequilas and given an extra bite of sweetness from Cointreau. It’s a strong drink, make no mistake. The Lost Steps is also closer to many people’s vision of classic Mexico drinks. A delicate, perfumed drink that blends tea cordial with tequila, the floral notes reach your nose before the drink lands on the table. Like a liquid sorbet, this is a perfect digestif.
El Nivel is housed across two floors. The ground floor, a lively space where drinks seem to flow almost every night (they’re closed on Monday), is countered by the small, more intimate first floor, where diners can sit in relative peace, indulging in food and drink at a more leisurely pace. As tequila grows in popularity, don’t be surprised to find the space at El Nivel gradually filling with experts, converts, and those looking for the best place in London to discover this misunderstood spirit.
El Nivel, 28 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7JS
By Nik Speller
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