Forever London - December must haves

London is a perpetual surprise. I have variously described it as a microcosm of the world, a miniature of every country on Earth, so I should know that little wonders and mysteries lurk behind every corner. But it pops up with delights all the same. Here is my three essentials for the winter months.

?

1.?????? Knoops: hot chocolate reborn

Knoops | Expertly crafted chocolate drinks | Hot chocolate?

I first encountered this chain in the summer, walking in Notting Hill, where I ordered a chilled cold chocolate -similar to an iced coffee but with cocoa instead. These folks have done a bang out job in elevating chocolate drinks to sophisticated, luxurious drinks, where the sweetness is balanced with the depth of cocoa butter and blended with aromatics – ginger, spices and citrus.? The more decadent of you with add marshmallows to the mix: my pick is 28% white chocolate flakes with cinnamon and lime shavings. The perfect fortification for the winter and one of the best ways to indulge your Wonka fantasy.

2.?????? Joe and the Juice: top egg

Joe & the Juice (joejuice.com)

I was? introduced to a surprising new sandwich in the Piccadilly store: the Eggcado. Essentially it’s an avocado and egg mousse pick me up, but with an intriguing sauce pairing: sriracha. This sweet chili and garlic sauce cut right through the creaminess of the egg and avocado and made my day. My recommendation is to combine this with a ginger shot for instant energy and alertness.

3.?????? Creed: smells like victory

Absolu Aventus | Limited-Edition Men’s Fragrance | Creed Fragrance UK (creedfragrances.co.uk)

Creed is a venerable perfume house, which since 1760 has been providing appropriate aromas for royalty. My standard pick here is Green Irish Tweed, which goes with anything and any situation: a universal scent of crushed pine and moss. But they’ve also come up with something new - the limited edition Absolu Aventus, which blends grapefruit, smoky vetiver and pineapple. If you want to smell like a sophisticated, sexy pineapple (and really, who doesn’t?), then look no further.