Not just any old pink drink…Shochu Lounge, Charlotte Street, London.

My cocktail compadre, Katy and I ventured outside of the ‘ditch (shock horror) to meet our close friend (who happens to be a connoisseur of pink drinks and all things Hello Kitty) for none other than the ‘Hallo Kitty’ cocktail. Shochu Lounge is situated under the well-known Japanese restaurant Roka and offers an intimate comfortable setting (oi oi) with a central bar adorned with rustic, muslin-covered glass jars and terracotta bowls, all filled to the brim with interesting potions for cocktails.

Now, anyone that knows me will know that I normally run in the opposite direction when confronted with anything pink – so the prospect of a flamboyant pink drink with a Hello Kitty theme was making me feel uneasy to say the least (normally, I like my booze straight out of a skull). Well, hold the friggin phone Shochu, you’ve out done yourself here. Granted, I was presented by a long Hello Kitty branded bottle filled with the brightest pink liquid you have ever seen – but blow me down, it was the best cocktail I have ever had. A blend of shochu (a distilled Japanese spirit, where Shochu lounge gets its name), raspberries, rose, lemon and sparking water. Perfection. We moved on to work our way through the menu but, while delicious, they didn’t quite evoke the girlish excitement of our Hallo Kitty’s.

Staff were accommodating despite not having booked ahead but were a little inattentive for a slow night when we were clearly eager to sample a variety of drinks.

Good for – Sophisticated fun. See and be seen. Boy-shapes will like the more manly range of Shochu and Saki’s available.

Bad for – a loud booze fuelled rampage and / or first dates (too showy for ‘getting to know you’ but would make a lovely ‘date night’ for long-term love birds)

Food – Roka’s menu is available in the cocktail bar with exquisite presentation as well as standard Japanese bar snacks. Sushi-licious.

Price – Between £7-14 a cocktail. Post-payday venue as you will want more than one.

Reservations advised.

www.shochulounge.com