Mixologist's guide to Norwich's best cocktail bars

1. 11th & Social

11th & Social has an extensive cocktail menu (Image: 11th & Social)

​Where: 9 -11 Upper King Street, Norwich, NR3 1RB

Recommended cocktail: Why, What, When

11th & Social is my favourite place to grab a drink in Norwich and the Why, What, When is my go-to order. 

The drink takes simple and turns it tropical, combining fresh English raspberries alongside Tanduay spiced rum topped with silky cherry foam.  

If you are looking for a taste of the countryside with a punch of the islands this one cannot be missed.

2. Revolución de Cuba

A fruity cocktail from Cuba Revs (Image: Revolución de Cuba) Where: 6 Queen Street, Norwich, NR2 4TL

Recommended cocktail: Amor Cubana

If you want to enjoy the fiesta look no further than Cuba Revs, hosting Latin-inspired food and drink and all of the partying that goes with it.

The Amor Cubana is what happens when a Sex on the Beach spends a weekend in Havana and is the perfect choice for a fruity refreshing drink. 

Ketel 1 vodka and Teichenne Peach make up the base of this cocktail, married perfectly with cranberry juice and instead of orange, pineapple. 

3. The Wildman 

Front of The Wildman Pub, Norwich (Image: Lauren De Boise) Where: 29 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AG 

Recommended cocktail: French Toast Martini

This Bedford Street pub is worth a visit for its Martini list alone and it is the French Toast version which keeps me coming back.

It combines a beautiful blend of homemade toast syrup shaken with vanilla vodka and garnished with Amaretti crumb.

This cocktail is just the right blend of creamy vanilla and the punch of a sweet toast texture from the crumb.

4. Blue Joanna

Sidecar Limon cocktail and Asahi (Image: Maja Anushka) Where: 103 Unthank Road, Norwich, NR2 2PE

Recommended cocktail: Negroni Sbagliato 

Personally, the Negroni is my favourite cocktail and nowhere does it quite like Blue Joanna in the Golden Triangle.  

The Negroni itself is quite a simple drink to make, using a stir method with only three ingredients.

Often comprising of gin Campari and White Vermouth, Blue Joanna takes a twist on this classic changing these to a mix of Martini, Campari and prosecco. 

5. Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is a popular place for a bottomless brunch (Image: Turtle Bay) Where: 8 Swan Lane, Norwich, NR2 1HZ

Recommended cocktail: Montego Bae

This hugely popular chain is the only place in Norwich to find the perfect authentic Jamaican rum-based cocktails.

The Montego Bae is my go-to drink for when I want a taste of the beach, with a hint of citrus that hits with a punch of strong rum.

Wray & Nephews white rum is hard to balance in a cocktail but by mixing with Velvet Falernum, lime, apple and pineapple, this drink creates a balance of sweet zest and strong rum that goes down very nicely.

6. Mr Postles' Apothecary   

Mr Postles' Apothecary in Upper Kings Street  (Image: NewsQuest)

Where: 2 Upper King Street, Norwich, NR3 1HA

Recommended cocktail: Banoffee Pie

Truly unique to any bar you have been to, Mr Postles' brings a vibe straight from the 1800s with a twist on drinking.

I absolutely love bananas in anything and everything and the Banoffee Pie cocktail delivers on being a sweet sugary treat in a glass.

Slane Irish whiskey and banana liqueur meet with toffee nut syrup, chocolate syrup and cream and milk to create an indulgent treat.

7. Cosy Club

The bar at Cosy Club in Norwich (Image: Newsquest) Where: 45-51 London Street, Norwich NR2 1AG

Recommended cocktail: Marmalade Spritz

If you have ever wanted to drink in a spot that feels like it was pulled from the pages of The Great Gatsby, the Cosy Club is where you need to go. 

I do not often drink a spritz drink as I'm not a fan of soda water, however, Cosy Club changes this every time. 

The Marmalade Spritz is simple but do not let that deprive you of its perfection. It takes a double shot of orange and rhubarb marmalade liqueur, topped with soda and Italian sparkling wine creating a crisp citrus burst.