Trafalgar square bar grows herbs on its roof to use in cocktails

High above Trafalgar Square, London's first cocktail garden is being planted.

The 124-square-metre rooftop plot at the Trafalgar Hotel, six storeys above the square, is being used to grow a selection of herbs, including rosemary, sage and thyme.

The hotel bartenders have created a range of cocktails using the herbs and the drinks are sold for £10 each.

"We had this huge rooftop garden which was planted with flowers so it seemed obvious to switch it to growing herbs," said general manager Dale MacPhee. "We have dozens of planters on the roof and smaller planters around the bar area. It's been a huge success and we find people are really interested in what we are trying to do, so hopefully some of them will try growing their own."

The garden was designed by Jekka McVicar, the self-styled "Queen of Herbs" who is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show's most decorated exhibitor. She also trained staff to tend to the herbs.

As well as more familiar varieties of plants and herbs such as French lavender and lemon verbena, the terrace features unusual varieties including borage, lovage and nasturtiums.

Mrs MacPhee said: "We wanted to get things that perhaps haven't been used in cocktails but that would grow well. We're also using the herbs in the kitchens, and the chefs absolutely love being able to come up and pick fresh herbs whenever they want. In fact our biggest problem is that we don't have enough plants for everything we'd like to do, so we are looking at expanding the garden to the rest of our roof as soon as we can."

Popping Rosemary's Cherry (Inspired by rosemary)

Dark morello cherries are smashed together with homemade rosemary syrup, Woodford Reserve bourbon and a splash of fresh lemon juice to provide a rich creation.

Zaika (Inspired by lavender)

Buffalo trace bourbon with tart fresh passion fruit is sweetened with the floral flavours of lychee juice and complemented with the flowered scent of the fresh Lavender garnish.

Champagne Thyme (Inspired by thyme)

A balance of dry crisp Champagne with sweet, rich cherry brandy shaken with morello jam, set off with fragrant thyme.

Rockwell Pear-fection (Inspired by sage)

Well ripened fresh pear is fortified with Akvinta vodka and married with homemade sage syrup, served straight up to give a light, refreshing summer sipping drink.

Little Miss Sunshine (Inspired by dill)

Sweet fresh pineapple is muddled with crisp white wine and vanilla sugar before being strengthened with a Hennessy Cognac, served short over ice with fresh handpicked dill.

All the Bo-rage (Inspired by borage)

A key ingredient in Pimm's, borage is used here to give a sweet, honeyed edge and balanced with crisp apple juice to provide a herbaceous summer drink, served long over crushed ice.