The Ultimate Guide for the Best Cocktails in Prague
Prague is the perfect place to let your hair down and enjoy a night out on the town. As a self-proclaimed mixology snob, I tried 5 of Prague's most beautiful bars and restaurants and here is my official take on the best cocktails in the Golden City.
The Mandarin Oriental- A Classic Dirty Vodka Martini
If you're a remote worker like me, you likely fancy a quality hotel bar. They're made for working lunches and are generally a more quiet option if you need a space for concentration. Conveniently located hidden along the palaces and gardens of Prague's historic Malá Strana (old town) district, Mandarin Oriental, Prague is a wonderful place to sit back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. Built on the grounds of an old 14th Century Dominican monastery, the hotel's prolific history, unique architecture and protective gated walls offer a peaceful refuge from the busy atmosphere flooding the ancient cobbled streets outside.
This bar is completely focused on creating classic cocktails. No frilly craft cocktails here. With such a simple bar-menu, perfection is expected and the Mandarin Oriental surely delivered. I started my journey to find the best cocktail in Prague with a tried and true classic, the dirty martini. I've been a fan of the dirty martini for years now, and I've come to learn that balance is key. Too much vermouth and the cocktail leaves a strange mouthfeel. Too much olive brine and the cocktail leaves you dehydrated. Using a low quality vodka leaves you with devastating hangover the next day.
I definitely went a little rogue and ordered off the menu. They have a vodka martini listed on the menu, but I was initially nervous when the addition of olive brine sent the fabulous barstaff on a frenzy to make my drink. Dirty martinis aren't super popular in many parts of Europe, so my expectations are generally not the highest when I order one. To be honest, I felt so bad...this staff is so dedicated to customer experience that they scrambled and researched to make a cocktail I would like. After all was said and done, this dirty martini did NOT disappoint, and that says a lot coming from my picky self. It was perfectly balanced and definitely tempted me to order another. The lovely bartender, Kate, made a perfect dirty martini on her first attempt, and I was incredibly impressed by the outcome. The service was top notch, and I felt so special seeing that the bar staff went above and beyond in making sure I could enjoy my favorite cocktail.
Tek'ila Tek'ila- Margarita Al Pastor
Though I am thoroughly enjoying my international life of adventure, sometimes I just miss home. I was born in raised in Dallas, Texas, and NOTHING evokes the warm feeling of "home" like a proper margarita. Honestly any authentic Mexican flavors are so comforting to me, and they're unfortunately incredibly difficult to find outside of "The Lonestar State."
The beauty of a good margarita rests in its simplicity. For a basic execution, all you need is tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and salt for the rim. The success of the margarita rests in the quality and balance of ingredients. Ever since I've moved away from Texas, I've found it inceasingly unlikely to find a good margarita. It's either made with an overly processed mix, full of cheap tequila, or God forbid...a sugary rim. Needless to say, as I was wondering around Old Town Prague on my search for lunch, my expectations were low when I stumbled upon a small, yet vibrant taco joint.
Tek'ila, Tek'ila is a colorful Mexican restaurant in the heart of the city. The menu reminded me of home, with so many of my favorite Tex-Mex staples. After I scarfed down some cauliflower tostadas and a surprisingly good bowl of guacamole, I decided it was time to try a margarita. I love a good spicy margarita, so I was surprised to find the Al Pastor margarita with spicy infused tequila and pineapple. These falvors are pretty common at top Mexican restaurants in Texas, so I was excited to try the Czech take.
The margarita was simply delicious. The sweetness from the fresh pineapple juice paired perfectly with the spicy tequila. Even better, they actually gave a well salted rim. I love it when I can see lime juice pulp in the margarita. It's a welcome reminder that there is still hope for fresh margaritas in Europe.
Screenshot-Yuzu Premiere
When finding a great cocktail bar on holiday, I like to visit places that offer more than just a yummy cocktail. Whether it is striking interiors, innovative cocktail methods, or unique entertainment, a bar experience can signify the cultural landscape of the surrounding area. Screenshot is a lovely spot, catering both to locals and tourists. This bar is special for a number of reasons, but their indie film screening room is definitely an added bonus.
Japanese cocktail culture is known for its attention to detail and focus on using high-quality ingredients. Bartenders in Japan take great pride in their craft, and often spend years learning and perfecting their skills. Many Japanese cocktails are inspired by traditional Japanese flavors, such as green tea, yuzu, and shiso, and are often served in beautifully crafted glasses. When I saw that Screenshot included some of these famous ingredience on their list, I knew I had to try it for myself.
The Yuzu Premiere immediately stood out to me, With Pacific Ocean gin, yuzu, and sake, this drink really paid homage to the simplicity known in Japanese cocktail culture. It was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. This was the one cocktail on my journey that I absolutely had to have another of.
L'Fleur- Rafaello
After a long day of meandering the streets of Prague, it was time to reward myself with something sweet. If you're like me and prefer to drink your dessert, there is no better place to stop than L'Fleur Bar. Their menu is full of funky and unique libations, but the most impressive part of this charming bar is the barstaff. I sampled a few of the incredible cocktails on the menu, but the clearly gifted bartenders asked me to share my favorite treats so that they could make me a customized cocktail. After a few minutes of chatting with the darling Simon and Luca, they knew exactly what kind of drink I wanted.
Specially for me and my tastes, they invented the "Rafaello." Much like the beloved candies, vanilla, chocolate, hazlenet, and coconut flavors were all mixed with some vodka. They even added a coconut rim for some texture and sweetness. The cocktail was smooth, creamy, boozy, and absolutely delicious. It tasted exactly like a Rafaello candy. My husband, a guy completely lacking a sweet tooth, wanted me to tell you all that this was the best cocktail he's ever had-high praise coming from him.
Lehká Hlava-Gingerbread Apple
So this one definitely may come off as a bit different...but hear me out! My last night in Prague, my husband and I headed to a fabulous little vegan restaurant, Lehká Hlava. While they had a fabulous looking cocktail menu, I had reached my alcohol limit in my search for the best cocktail. Interestingly enough, this restaurant has an extensive "mocktail" list. For those of you who are unaware, a mocktail is simply a non-alcoholic cocktail. Having many friends and family who live a sober lifestyle, I decided to give one a try. I was so impressed.
The Gingerbread Apple is made with fresh apple juice, local honey, cinnamon, and gingerbread spices, garnished with some fresh apple slices. The drink was absolutely fabulous. It was spicy, yet refreshing. The ingredients were so fresh and the flavors really left an impression. I love seeing non-alcoholic cocktails rise in prominence. A sober lifestyle can be just as fun and fulfilling as anything else!
