When invited to sample the cocktail menu at Nova 48 – the new Castle Street bar that serves ‘sexy, naughty cocktails’ – the cynic in me wasn’t convinced. But I enjoy cocktails as much as the next person, and the prospect of a Friday evening filled with fruity fusions in fancy glasses was enough to put a smile on my face.

After a guided tour of the dimly lit bar and a sneak peek through a Narnia style wardrobe door leading to a private function suite, we were ready to order. But where to start? The cocktail list is extensive and offers both classics and signature cocktails, priced between £7.95 and £11.95. Keen to make the most of the variety, my friend and I set out to sample the most unusual cocktails.

First up was The Baby Rose, made from violet and rose crème with champagne and a touch of elderflower. Whilst I grimaced at the fragrance – think Parma Violets – my friend fell in love with this girly glass, which arrived in a cloud of dry ice. After a long day at the office, I was in need of some refreshment and a Long Mint Tea fit the bill perfectly. Combining Monkey Shoulder whisky and Branca Menta stirred up with peppermint tea, sugar and cinnamon, this elixir is sure to revitalise tired city workers.

As we selected our next tipples, I took the time to get a feel for the place. With beautiful leather upholstery and jazz music, the scene is more 1920s prohibition than the sleazy bar I’d envisioned. Continuing with strong flavours, my friend enjoyed the Liquorice Trouble: Russian vodka and crème de rose topped up with peppermint tea and liquorice syrup. Although an almighty mixture, this potent potion went down a treat.

No cocktail menu is complete without a few amusing names thrown in the mix, so I thought I’d give the Porn Star Martini a try. Best likened to a Solero ice cream with vodka injected, this cocktail is served with a shot of champagne to offset the sweetness and add a little fizz. If you can’t make up your mind, this drink would be a safe bet.

For our third and final cocktails (they’re strong!), my friend and I decided to swap taste buds; she went for a French martini – Chambord raspberry liqueur with vodka and pineapple juice – and I branched out and ordered a Mai Tai – a blend of light and dark rum mixed with orange curacao, lime juice and a drizzle of almond syrup.

As we left, I decided that Nova 48 is precisely what the commercial district needs: a place for cocktail loving colleagues to go for a spontaneous post-work night out. Whilst the bar makes a definite effort to create a certain ambience, it’s doesn’t value style over substance and the quality of cocktails is up there with some of Liverpool’s most established bars.

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