Last orders to finish the evening

Chris Tanner, co-owner of Dram London and All My Gods chooses a sherry

Fino sherry is my absolute all-time favourite. It’s aged under a layer of flor yeast which consumes the glycerol and sugar, so the end result is crispy, clean and not overwhelming. All alcohol is going to give you a hangover, of course, but less sugary drinks might mitigate that. Regardless, all last drinks should be treated with reverence and ritual. Working in the hospitality industry, nothing beats finishing service at night and having one cold pint of beer before you go home. It can be the best last drink you’ve had in your life.

Dave Broom, drinks writer and author chooses a whisky 

Deoch an dorus (Scottish-Gaelic for ‘a drink at the door’) is often the best of the night. The ‘ach, just one more’ as you are heading home, taken with the evening winding down, the company thinning out. Conversation has moved into something more contemplative; a time to look into the fire and smile. Now is the time for slow sipping, for a drink - whisky in this case - with depth and complexity. Rich, darkly fruited, sherried, maybe smoke and sherry combined. Something to match the mood and time. The parting glass. Good night and joy be with you all.

Ryan Chetiyawardana, bartender and owner of Super Lyan, Lyaness, Silver Lyan and Seed Library chooses a Tom and Jerry

There’s something I love about the unemotional Scandinavian approach of ending an evening: shouting 'skål' as a toast, downing a shot of aquavit (a grain or potato spirit flavoured with spices), then walking away. Want something to tip you over the edge? A shot of Fernet-Branca – a bitter amaro liqueur – might get you there in HD. If you’re ready to head home for a good night’s sleep, try a dessert-like cocktail that’s rich and warming: a Tom & Jerry with eggs, rum, cognac and hot milk is like a boozy hug.

Joe Schofield, bartender and co-owner of Schofield’s Bar, Sterling and Atomeca chooses a Guinness

I’m a huge advocate for Guinness. It’s a longer drink so you won’t get as inebriated, and it’s got those wonderful flavours of cacao and coffee that will close off the palate at the end of an evening. Otherwise, I’m a traditionalist when it comes to different drinks at different times, and I prefer a digestif before I go home. My favourite is a Manhattan: it’s indulgent; it’s spirit-driven; it’ll help to send you off to sleep. We’ve always had one on our menu: Schofield’s Private Select bourbon, Asterley Bros. Estate sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters and a whisper of cherry liqueur.

Portia Freeman, cocktail expert chooses a Tom Collins

My go-to would be a long, quaffable cocktail that’s going to hydrate you before you head home. A Tom Collins – gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda – is a straight-up classic because not only is it diluted, the flavour profile keeps on giving. When I was younger I was a sucker for a shot and staying out late, but my body clock started telling me that I’m done, usually at around midnight. Now, it’s all about opulence – getting lost in the ritual of a considered final drink in beautiful glassware that twinkles in the candlelight – and waking up, hopefully, with a clear head.

Sandrae Lawrence, editor at The Cocktail Lovers magazine chooses an Old Fashioned 

The first drink is important because it sets the evening up, but it’s equally important to seal it with something considered. I like my final drink to be contemplative. Sitting, sipping, savouring. A shot – too quick, not about pleasure – is the worst thing you can do. An Old Fashioned – sugar, whiskey, bitters, orange peel – works, although recently they seem to have gotten sweeter and I went off them. Then, in a bar called Handshake in Mexico City I had a beautiful Old Fashioned with mushrooms and butter: it was rich, creamy and silky and really brought all the ingredients together.

Monica Berg, co-owner of Tayēr + Elementary chooses champagne

You should always end on a high note. For me, that means a glass of Maxime Blin: non-vintage, extra brut, fourth-generation grower champagne. There’s freshness, there’s bubbliness, and it tastes nice. Also, it’s not too strong, which is what I want from my last drink. My first can be a martini, but my rule is never to have more than two, and never for the final drink. I need to feel alive when I wake up tomorrow morning. There’s no point in pushing it. It's much better to have a nightcap you can really linger over – and then call it.

Jack Sotti, owner of Archive & Myth chooses a Sazerac

Now I’m nearly 40 and not the party boy I used to be, I’m probably drinking at the same time as eating dinner. I want to feel right in myself by the end of the meal, so as I’m getting more full, the drinks will go from longer and lighter to smaller and darker. A short, textural, whiskey-based cocktail like a classic Sazerac (whiskey, syrup, bitters and absinth) is what I would go for. Or a well-blended dram of whisky; something like Hibiki Harmony, which has loads of rich, ripe stewed fruits and a honeyed sweetness. It’s like drinking nectar.