Shaken & Stirred

Cocktail lovers of Tel Aviv have never had it so good. The city has always had a small but solid selection of specialist cocktail bars, but in the past year or so a whole host of fresh newcomers have sprung up on the scene, offering their own unique selection of shaken and stirred drinks. Add to that a long list of other restaurants and bars with rich cocktail menus and you have a city flooded with colorful concoctions and classy creations.

We spoke to some of the best mixologists the city has to offer to see which drinks they recommend that are perfect for a cool Mediterranean spring evening.

Imperial Bar's "Don Juan" Cocktail / Photo Courtesy of PR

The Place: Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar

Recently voted 'the Best Bar in Africa and the Middle East' by Drinks International Magazine's World's 50 Best Bar Awards, the Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar is an intimate venue for those who value quality cocktails, and aren't afraid of a hefty price tag. Walk through the lobby of the unassuming Imperial Hotel, and find well-trained bartenders dressed to the nines serving international standard cocktails.

The Cocktail: The Don Juan

Bacardi superior rum, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, lime juice, agave syrup, ginger syrup, dash peychaud's bitters, brut champagne.

The Bartender: Ben Sheridan

“This drink was inspired by the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition and it’s an all-around crowd pleaser. I really enjoy making it because I never get any bad feedback from anyone who orders it. It appeals to most palates because it has it all: the sweetness of rum, the dryness of the champagne and the spiciness of the ginger. This is one of those speciality bartender drinks that caters to all tastes.”

Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar, 66 Hayarkon St, Tel Aviv. 054-4764464

Hide & Seek's "Cop On" Cocktail / Photo Courtesy of PR

The Place: Hide & Seek

Hide & Seek is on a mission to provide top quality, original cocktails using fresh local ingredients at reasonable prices to a crowd that expects good, efficient service. Tucked away behind an unmarked black door on a quiet street off Allenby, this unpretentious yet classy joint lets you hide from the hustle and bustle of city life while you seek out the perfect hand-crafted concoction to sip on.

The Cocktail: Cop On (Irish Slang for "stop acting stupid")

Jameson Black Barrel Reserve, homemade apple jam, Amaro Montenegro and fresh lemon juice, garnished with caramelized apple, mint and cinnamon.

The Bartender: Tzvika Furman

“I really love making this cocktail because the homemade apple jam we use in it reminds me of a treat that my mother used to make for me when I was a kid. She used to take Granny Smith apples, put them in tinfoil with a little bit of sugar and cinnamon and put it in the toaster oven and the whole house would smell of it. The Cop On is like a grown up version of a childhood favorite.”

Hide & Seek, 2 Brenner St, Tel Aviv. 052-8942003

Tutus Karex's "The House" Cocktail / Photo Courtesy of PR

The Place: Tutus Karex

Providing a slightly edgier and more alternative setting, Tutus Karex is perfect for creative types who enjoy sipping on a good cocktail while discussing the latest music or films. After deciding whether to chill in the living room-style area inside, complete with a library drawn on the wall, or in the big outside area with an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, all that’s left to choose is which tasty bar snack to go best with your drink.

The Cocktail: The House Cocktail

House-brewed chili vodka, mango juice, lime, sugared water and fresh chili.

The Bartender: Shanny Stolowicz

“What makes this drink so unique is that we use our homemade chili vodka as the base. We make it by putting large fresh green and red chillies in the vodka bottle and letting the flavors diffuse. When you add all the other fruity ingredients, you end up with a great mix of sweet and spicy. This contrast actually represents the style of our staff and guests very accurately. We have artsy types with plenty of tattoos and piercings, alongside clean-cut surfers. It’s a place where anything goes.”

 Tutus Karex, 1 Ben Tzion St, Tel Aviv. 050-9379393

Abushdid's "Beet It" Cocktail / Photo Courtesy of PR

The Place: Abushdid

This restaurant-cum-lounge bar is a mix of classic and contemporary, creating a romantic atmosphere for all the cool and trendy Tel Avivians looking for a cozy spot to escape it all. With a visually impressive range of cocktails, and a stunning interior in a historic building, Abushdid is for those who appreciate good taste.

The Cocktail: Beet It

Vodka, hibiscus syrup, blood orange juice, beetroot juice, sage leaf.

The Bartender: Nadav Hecht Drayson

“This is a very balanced cocktail with plenty of citrus and sage aromas that give the beets a lot more elegance. It's sexy and healthy. We even squeeze the fruit ourselves.”

Abushdid, 16 Levontin St, Tel Aviv. 03-6298822

The Place: Spicehaus

A trip to Spicehaus is just what the doctor would prescribe for anyone suffering from a serious case of FOMO. Considered one of the hippest and original new bars in the city, it’s packed nightly with people who don’t want to miss out on a unique experience. Don’t be fooled by the early 20th century pharmacy design: the only medicines being served here are smooth, funky cocktails that come in all shapes and sizes, perfect for sharing.

The Cocktail: Istanbul Louisville Express

Gin, lychee, aloe vera, rose tea, oleo saccharum and tonic water.

The Bartender: Uri Amir

“The Istanbul cocktail consists of an almost unimaginable blend of rose water and lychee mixed with gin and tonic, reminiscent of English imperialism. This amazingly fruity and fragrant cocktail will take you straight back to the golden age of Constantinople.”

Spicehaus, 117 Dizengoff St, Tel Aviv. 054-2286200

Moonshine's "Woodstock" Cocktail / Photo Courtesy of PR

The Place: Moonshine

Moonshine pays homage to the 1920s-style American speakeasy, so much so that guests can only enter the tiny bar by walking through a black door in the corner of the restaurant next door and down some steps. A trendy crowd of those-in-the-know can be found on any given night sipping signature drinks in the dimly lit space.

The Cocktail: Woodstock

Bacardi rum infused with beets, Becherovka liqueur, lime, homemade apple syrup, bay leaves and rose petals.

The Barman: Mor Cicurel

“Woodstock is great for all occasions and suits most palates, and is especially suited to men even with its purple color and bitter taste. If the Woodstock was an animal, there is no doubt it would be a flamingo — special, radiant in color and one-of-a-kind.”