Neal Street Espresso

There’s no shortage of speciality coffee spaces in the Covent Garden/Seven Dials area so standing out is not an easy feat. In fact, if I were to be brutally honest, the only reason I stopped at Neal Street was because two of the cafes my app suggested no longer existed and I was heading to a third when I gave up mid-journey. The reason I staid, however, was because of something I hadn’t seen before.
I’m not going to call the idea of putting an espresso shot into a cold beverage an innovation, as the concept has existed as long as the espresso has. What I will say is that, in this age of cold brew, iced lattes and whatever else with its branded or unbranded names, finding a flavour combination that works is not necessarily as easy as you’d think. 
Neal Street Espresso is an incredibly smart looking shop tucked away in the middle of Neal street, off of one of Covent Garden’s Seven Dials. Light, bright and very modern, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was part of a larger chain, trying to move into the speciality side of coffee under the guise of independence but a little digging actually unearths that it is part of a Christian charity trying to help rehabilitate ex-offenders. This is not something I consider when searching for my next caffeine hit but it’s nice to know, in hindsight, my drink perhaps contributed to some good.
Being a little warm, I don’t opt for a standard latte but am instead drawn to the ‘Espresso Tonic’. A glass of tonic water with ice, espresso shot poured over and a slice of lemon to add a citrusy bite to the whole event. Like I said, hardly ‘cutting edge’ but I’ve not particularly seen it before and the need for something both refreshing and caffeinated seals the deal as I sit outside people watching the shoppers who have cautiously returned to London, and wait for it to be delivered to the table. 
The bitter shot tapered by the fizzy tang of the tonic and then with a final sharp cut from the lemon makes for an exceptionally well balanced and refreshing drink that does exactly what is needed on a warm day. I’m slightly surprised more places haven’t picked up on this as they jostle for attention with iced creations that are becoming more and more like sugary milkshake monstrosities, competing with a certain well known Moby Dick themed chain. Still, I’m sure this will take off when others realise it’s potential and in the meantime, I’m just glad to find something a little different. It’s not all too often that happens in the speciality coffee game.