The Terrace Royal Horseguards Hotel, Whitehall

"The Terrace adjoins Whitehall Gardens, one of London's many delightful small green spaces. It was filled with the bright colours of thousands of tulips on the day of our visit. Guests can approach the Terrace from the gardens or via the main entrance to the Royal Horseguards Hotel on Whitehall Court. At the close of a surprisingly sunny spring day and in lovely green surroundings, it seemed only right that I should start the evening with one of The Terrace's champagne cocktails."

"I chose the Crown Royal, a mix of Lanson Pere et Fils, peach schnapps, peach puree and passion fruit puree that got the level of peachy sweetness just right. My companion had drunk his first-ever Whisky Sour just a week before our night out. He'd been so impressed that he was on a mission to try it again. Luckily, The Terrace's version was deemed quite perfect."

"For my second visit to the signature cocktails menu, I was seduced by the idea of the Whitehall Spritz. I was intrigued by what the addition of sweet vermouth and Grand Marnier could do to my go-to summer drink the Aperol Spritz. It turned out to be a pleasantly spicy take on the Italian classic."

"My friend picked the Oak Smoked Salmon, which was served in a circle of complementary flavours: capers and shallots. His only complaint was that the accompanying rye croutons were far too bitey to go with the salmon. He'd have preferred a few slices of the more traditional brown bread and butter. My starter was the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, which was prettily presented with a scattering of colourful flowers."

The Royal Horseguards Hotel has opened its summer terrace for 2026, located near Trafalgar Square and the River Thames beside Whitehall Gardens. Guests can enter from the gardens or from the hotel’s main entrance on Whitehall Court. The terrace features a green, hidden setting filled with thousands of tulips during spring. Cocktails include champagne-based options such as the Crown Royal, made with Lanson Pere et Fils, peach schnapps, peach puree, and passion fruit puree. Another signature drink, the Whitehall Spritz, adds sweet vermouth and Grand Marnier to an Aperol Spritz style. Food includes Oak Smoked Salmon with capers and shallots, and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus presented with edible flowers.

Read at www.london-unattached.com