Norwich Cocktail Week kicks off on Saturday October, 8 and runs until October, 15 during which time bars across Norwich will be serving up their finest tipples and hosting a range of fantastic events. Grab yourself a wristband and get out in the city to try some of these quirky concoctions.
• The Cinema City at Hawthorn Bar, St Benedicts Street
This drink, named after one of Norwich's beloved attractions, is based on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, but Hawthorn have added an extra twist in order to create a special drink that evokes trips to the cinema. This feat was accomplished by altering the flavour of the dark rum by infusing it with fresh-cooked popcorn and adding the salted buttery flavour through a technique called fat washing. Paired with the buttered popcorn rum is Amaro Montenegro, a lightly bitter liqueur with a pronounced Cola flavour, and homemade toffee syrup. This is stirred together over ice to chill and dilute, then served with orange zest.
• Frizzante Martini at Norwich Tap House, Redwell Street
Using a hop infuser designed for beer, Norwich Tap House have created quirky infusions using an Italian sparkling white wine called Frizzante. So far the team have mixed the drink with Haribo sweets, as well as strawberry, raspberry and white chocolate. For Cocktail Week they have created a Frizzante Martini which will include Frizzante, sable Grapes, juniper berries and rosemary mixed together and garnished with an Olive.
• The King Bee at Pop Up at 79, Unthank Road
By the Cat cocktails at Bar 79 have created a selection of drinks to celebrate Norwich Cocktail Week, but their pick of the bunch is The King Bee, a special drink made with King of Soho Gin, St Germaine elderflower liqueur, Honey, Lime, Lemon, Vanilla, Maldon sea salt, Orange Blossom and Orange Bitters. The inspiration behind the concoction is cited as the Prohibition era cocktail 'The Bees knees' which was created to mask the harsh flavour of bootleg gin by adding honey and lemon.
• The Chilli and Pineapple Margarita at Warwick St Social, Warwick Street
Warwick St Social have worked hard to craft a unique cocktail menu that offers classic drinks with a twist. Take for example their chilli and pineapple margarita, a zany drink created with fiery red chilli, gold tequila, orange liqueur as well as lime and pineapple juice. All of the ingredients are shaken together and served in a margarita glass, topped with slices of red chilli.
• The Dalmatian at The Plough, St Benedicts Street
Each month The Plough selects a standout drink to feature as their drink of that month. For October it's the Dalmatian, a fresh and spicy drink made using Reyka Vodka, grapefruit juice, a dash of mandarin liqueur and black pepper syrup.
• Tequila Infusions at Gringos Mexican Tequila Bar, Prince of Wales Road
Gringos serves up a range of Mexican style cocktails, but is perhaps best known for its range of tequilas. Most recently the bar has started to produce tequila infusions, creating a decadent salted caramel tequila drink served with a slice of millionaire shortbread. For cocktail week the team will be making a brand new infusion and have been asking customers on Facebook to vote for their favourite flavour, with the options including rhubarb and custard, sticky toffee pudding and banana and caramel.
• The Strawberry Shortcake at Frank's Bar, Bedford Street
From coffee to cocktails, Frank's Bar can do it all. They may pride themselves on making a mean gin and tonic, but their other drinks are just as tasty. Make sure you visit them during cocktail week to get a taste of the Strawberry Shortcake, a sweet treat made with Framboise liqueur, creme de cacao and cafe XO patron.
• Speculoose Hot Chocolate at Aroma, Upper King Street
Aroma is a unique cafe/bar that specialises in creating exciting drinks, so it comes as no surprise that they are bringing their all for cocktail week. A special menu has been created by the team for the event, which includes the Speculoose Hot Chocolate, a new take on the classic drink that combines dark hot chocolate with a Lotus biscuit liqueur and is topped with cream and crushed Biscoff biscuits.
• Always remember to drink responsibly. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for more information.
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