Bonfire night cocktails from Mr. Lyan

Published: November 5, 2015 at 11:11 AM

Three cocktails from the award-winning Mr Lyan that are perfect for fireside sipping

Ryan Chetiyawardana (AKA Mr. Lyan) is a multi award-winning bartender (including international bartender of the year 2015) who owns two bars in London: White Lyan and Dandelyan, both of which are in the World's 50 Best Bars list. If that wasn't enough, he has just released his first book, Good Things to Drink with Mr Lyan and Friends (£20, Frances Lincoln). Here are a few of his best fire-side drink.

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Fireside Flip

What Mr Lyan has to say: 'Flips are an old family of drinks that use whole eggs to marvellous effect. In some ways these drinks are basically boozy custard, which tastes every bit as delicious as you'd expect it to. This Fireside Flip has comforting, malty notes matched with the fruity/nutty flavours of sloe gin, all tied up together neatly with a hint of golden spice from honey and ginger.'

Spiked hot chocolate

What Mr Lyan has to say: 'Proper, thick hot chocolate is rich and soothing (I first had it in New York, then became obsessed with it in Spain), and I love having it like this, with mild herbal and fruity touches. I prefer to use real chocolate and unhomogenised, local milk, as it brings a luxurious intensity, but use drinking chocolate if you prefer. You can also layer in extra flavours by warming spices in the milk - anise, basil, chilli and fruits all can be incorporated successfully.'

Bonfire old fashioned

If you don't want to make the cocktails yourself, you don't have to. Grab a bottle of Ryan's Mr Lyan Bottled Bonfire Old Fashioned, a bar-quality pre-made cocktail made using Mr Lyan whisky, cola bitters and lapsing souchong tea, adding an inventive smokey core to this classic drink. It's perfect drinking for bonfire night. Available to buy from Selfridges, £29.99/500ml.