9 Drinks to Try in London This September

September is an interesting month to be in London.

Summer hasn't completely disappeared, but autumn is beginning to make an appearance. The evenings start getting darker, temperatures can drop after sunset, and the city slowly moves away from its lighter summer mood towards richer, warmer flavours.

That makes September a particularly good month to explore London's drinking scene.

You can still enjoy a refreshing spritz when the sun is out, but cooler evenings also give you an excuse to reach for a classic cocktail, a pint in a traditional pub or something warm and comforting.

So, if you're visiting London this September and want to try something a little different, here are nine drinks worth putting on your list.

1. Negroni

If there is one cocktail that feels especially appropriate for London this September, it's the Negroni.

Made with equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, the classic cocktail is bitter, slightly sweet and wonderfully balanced. It is traditionally stirred with ice and served with an orange garnish.

There is also a particularly good reason to try one this September.

14 Stories is celebrating Negroni Month from 1–30 September 2026, working with Campari on a specially designed Negroni menu.

So if you're looking for a drink that genuinely connects to something happening in London this month, start here.

Try it if: You enjoy bitter, spirit-forward cocktails.

2. Espresso Martini

September evenings are made for an Espresso Martini.

Cold, rich and packed with coffee flavour, it sits somewhere between an after-dinner drink and a proper night-out cocktail.

The combination of coffee and spirits also makes it particularly satisfying after a long day exploring London. Find a good cocktail bar, order one and you've got a drink that feels indulgent without being overly complicated.

And if you're someone who can't decide between coffee and a cocktail, this one solves the problem rather nicely.

Try it if: You want your cocktail to taste like coffee.

3. Apple Cider

As September progresses, cider starts to feel more appropriate.

You can still enjoy it outside on a warm afternoon, but it also works beautifully when the weather begins to cool down.

If you're in London, look beyond the most obvious options and try a British cider from a pub or specialist bar. Depending on what you choose, you can find everything from crisp and dry styles to sweeter, fruitier versions.

It's a simple choice, but one that fits the changing season perfectly.

Try it if: You want something refreshing with a hint of autumn.

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte

Whether you're a huge fan or someone who waits for the annual pumpkin-spice debate to begin, September is when this drink starts appearing everywhere.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte has become one of the unofficial signals that autumn has arrived, combining coffee with pumpkin spice flavours such as cinnamon and other warming spices.

You don't have to make it your drink of choice every day. But if you're visiting London in September and want to embrace the beginning of autumn, trying one is almost part of the experience.

And London has plenty of coffee shops and chains offering their own seasonal takes on autumnal drinks.

Try it if: You want your coffee to taste like the beginning of autumn.

5. Hot Toddy

September isn't cold enough for a Hot Toddy every day.

But that's exactly why this is a good month to keep it in mind.

A traditional Hot Toddy combines whisky with hot water, honey and citrus, although individual recipes can vary.

It's the sort of drink that makes sense when you've spent the evening walking around London and suddenly realise that the temperature has dropped considerably since the afternoon.

You don't need a freezing winter night to appreciate it. Sometimes a cool September evening is enough.

Try it if: You're looking for something warm after sunset.

6. Aperol Spritz

Before you completely say goodbye to summer, make the most of it.

September can still bring warm, bright afternoons to London, making an Aperol Spritz a perfectly reasonable choice.

Made with Aperol, prosecco and soda, it is light, refreshing and particularly suited to sitting outside with friends when the weather cooperates.

That's one of the best things about September: you don't have to commit entirely to autumn yet.

One afternoon you might be sitting outside with a spritz in the sunshine. A few hours later, you could be looking for somewhere cosy for a stronger cocktail.

Try it if: London gives you one of those unexpectedly warm September afternoons.

7. Guinness

Sometimes the best drink to order isn't a cocktail.

It's a pint.

As summer begins fading, a darker and more substantial beer can suddenly become much more appealing.

Guinness is an obvious choice, particularly if you're looking for a classic pub experience while visiting London.

And if you want to turn the drink into more of an experience, Visit London highlights Guinness-related experiences in the city as part of its September recommendations.

Find a traditional pub, order a pint and settle in for a while.

There is something particularly satisfying about doing that after spending the day walking around London.

Try it if: You're ready for something richer than your usual summer beer.

8. Paloma

September doesn't mean every drink has to taste like autumn.

The Paloma is a good reminder of that.

Usually made with tequila and grapefruit, it is refreshing, citrusy and slightly bitter. It has enough character to feel different from an Aperol Spritz while still working beautifully on a warm afternoon.

It's also a great option if you've already had your fill of the usual summer cocktails and want to try something different.

Try it if: You want something refreshing but not another obvious summer classic.

9. Old Fashioned

And then there is the Old Fashioned.

If the Aperol Spritz represents the last part of summer, the Old Fashioned feels much closer to the autumn waiting around the corner.

Made with whiskey, bitters and sugar, it is simple, strong and designed to be enjoyed slowly.

This isn't necessarily the drink you order while rushing between London's attractions.

Instead, find a good cocktail bar, take a seat and give yourself some time.

As September evenings become darker, the Old Fashioned starts making more and more sense.

Try it if: You want a classic, spirit-forward cocktail for a slower evening.

So, What Should You Drink in London This September?

The best thing about September is that you don't really have to choose between summer and autumn.

You can have an Aperol Spritz when the sun is out, try a cider as the weather changes, order a Negroni in the evening and finish the night with an Espresso Martini or an Old Fashioned.

And when one of those unexpectedly chilly evenings arrives, there's always the Hot Toddy.

September is a month of transition, and London's drinks scene gives you plenty of ways to enjoy it.

So don't rush straight into winter.

Enjoy the last warm afternoons, welcome the cooler evenings and use September as a reason to try something you've never ordered before.

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