We battled our way through the rain on a chilly December evening to enjoy some carefully crafted cocktails in the centre of Brighton’s Lanes. Arriving at Blossoms, slightly damp but ready to get stuck in, the bar appeared like a beacon in the night, adorned with baby pink flowers. A neon light at the door instructed us to ‘stop thinking, start drinking’. Never one to disobey orders, we went in.
Inside is a lusher affair than might be expected from the flowers and bright lights of the restaurant’s façade. Warm, jewel-toned velvet furniture, beautifully crafted tableware, low lighting perfect for your next date night and Asian-inspired artwork; the décor is totally befitting of Blossoms’ Japanese-inspired food and drink menu. Immediately greeted by our smiling server, we were whisked off to a table in the restaurant’s newish Crimson Koi bar area, which boasts high-top tables and a window perfect for people-watching.
Why you’ll love it
- A rotating cocktail menu that changes every six months (seasonal, not gimmicky)
- Luxe interiors and a fun, playful edge
- Small plates that are ideal for sharing between cocktail rounds
Seasonal, But Not Trend-Chasing
As we settled in, the team talked us through their impressive cocktail menu, which changes every six months, reflecting seasonality, not fads. Flavours have depth, warmth and personality. Blossoms manages that perfect balance of being imaginative without feeling pretentious. Every drink feels intentional, but never intimidating. Our server proudly explained there truly is something for every palate: sweet, sour, spicy, bitter, creamy or sharp. Yes, you could order a classic, but why would you when the Blossoms’ twist on it will be better?!
First Round Favourites
So, after much deliberation, we were ready to dive in. I went for the Kyoto Cloud, a concoction of bourbon, spiced pumpkin liqueur, butter-washed Tuaca and cream soda, topped with whipped cream. This felt like a risky choice, but I was so intrigued. It came out looking like a goblet of butter beer and smelling just as sweet; however, the first sip was surprisingly light and refreshing, the flavours so well balanced it was hard to believe all the sugary goodness that had gone into it.
My friend went for a slightly more sensible Akuma Margarita, a twist on your classic spicy marg, with Kashmiri and ancho chilli providing a warming and tingly heat tempered by sourness from the addition of tamarind.
Twists on the Classics
Feeling ever so slightly merrier, it was on to the next, and more twists on the classics we know and love. The Nightfall Negroni incorporates flavours of fig and vanilla. While this was a very good Negroni, I couldn’t necessarily taste any vanilla, but I think it served to take the edge off what is usually a boozy sip.
My choice was the Cherry Origami, Blossoms’ version of a Long Island made with dark spirits and cherry. The first sip was wonderfully sweet, fizzy cherry reminding me of Happy Shopper Cherryade, and I mean that as a compliment. Next came the warming taste of the booze; each ingredient was perfectly balanced to create what felt like a very grown-up glass of pop.
Staff Creations
Ready for another round, we were recommended drinks created by team members who were working that night. The pressure was on for us and them! First came the Silk and Shade. Under the low lighting, this looked like a fairly standard cocktail, but closer inspection revealed the most beautiful shade of lilac, owing to the butterfly tea-infused gin. Refreshing and fruity, this one felt like the perfect sip for the festive party season: easy-drinking and fun.
Then the Ember Light, and I have to say this may be one of the best cocktails I’ve ever tried. On the menu, it reads like a meal, with ingredients like chilli crisp, peppercorn and sesame oil, but on the palate, it’s the perfect combination of savoury and sweet, with a warming kick from the peppercorn and just the right amount of sweet citrus from clementine juice. The real highlight, though, was the imaginative garnish: a sesame snap topped with a dollop of chilli crisp, which was devoured in seconds.
Something Tasty To Snack On
We were in need of a little bite to keep going. We went for broccoli in a rich sesame sauce, spicy firecracker chicken, salty furikake-covered fries, crispy and light-as-air tempura prawns and sticky maple soy pork belly. The small plates were the perfect thing to keep us nicely full without making us feel like we needed a little lie-down.
Serious About Taste, Not Themselves
Brighton has no shortage of places to grab a drink and a bite, but this place is so much more than just another restaurant with a cocktail list.
There’s a sense of playfulness woven through everything at Blossoms, from flavours to garnishes to naming. The bar feels curated, but in a fun way. Each cocktail tells its own story: some soothing, some fiery, some whimsical, some elegant, but all unmistakably Blossoms. You’ll want to revisit again and again because you’ll want to see what they’ve dreamed up next. And chances are, your new favourite drink is already waiting for you.
If you’re planning a night in the Lanes, it may be worth booking in advance, and don’t forget to ask the team what they’re loving on the menu right now. You won’t want to miss out.
