London Bridge cocktail bar Nine Lives has launched its long-awaited new cocktail menu, Tropicalifornication. “The compilation of delectable cocktails is put together with the same passion and careful consideration that musicians compile their albums,” says the brand. Unique and original cocktails are presented as tracks on the Nine Lives bespoke designed gatefold vinyl cover, with cover artwork designed by Nine Lives alumni and tattooist, India Davey.
Led by head bartender Roman Jakubik, formerly of Soho House, the carefully curated drinks offering is presented as an album, with the team taking inspiration from the music industry and how a record label would launch a compilation. Innovative and fun, the drinks are the collaborative vision of the Nine Lives team with each bartender designing and perfecting their own contributions to the compilation.
‘Tropicalifornication’ comprises 12 cocktails: Including innovative twists on classics; quaffable low-alcoholic spritzes; and soulful stirred down numbers. The carefully selected ingredients are either seasonal or share the same sustainable ethos as Nine Lives does – such as Discarded’s Banana Peel Rum, Avallen’s Calvados, and Coast’s tonic & soda water.
The name ‘Tropicalifornication’ is a term coined by the bar’s owners, Emma Hutchison and Allan Gage, as an inventive description of both the décor and the feel-good factor which Nine Lives is renowned for. The interior of hanging exotic plants, golden lighting from rattan lampshades, upmarket upcycled bamboo furniture and velvet soft cushioning offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Example drinks include:
Tropicalifornication
Discarded Banana Rum | Pineapple Plantation Rum | Bitters | Lime | Egg White
Our title track removes your shoes, polishes your shades, fans you with a giant palm leaf and whispers ‘Born to Chill’ in your ear
Kokomo
El Tequileño | Wray & Nephew | Guava | Coco Lopez | Passionfruit
This is what those Beach Boys were singing about “Key Largo, Montego.. ooo I wanna take you down to Kokomo”
Lemon Song
Nine Lives Limoncello | Elderflower | Lemon | Cremant | Soda
When life gives you lemons, sing out loud!
Tropicalifornication Vol.1 is the first of the Nine Lives album series with Vol. 2 to launch in Autumn 2022.
Nine Lives is located at 8 Holyrood Street, London SE1 2EL. It is open Tuesday-Wednesday from 17:00 – 23:00, Thursday-Friday from 17:00 – 00:00, and Saturday from 15:00 – 00:00.
For more information or to make a reservation, head over to the brand’s official website.
