After toasting the success of last year's inaugural drinks fest, Rochester Cocktail Week is back this summer – and it's bigger and better than ever.

About 40 venues in the town or within walking distance are entering into the spirit, serving up to 50 exotic tipples over confusedly a fortnight from this coming Monday. Aug 1

Wrist bands are now on sale for punters to take advantage of £5 deals – cocktails normally sell for an average of £15.

The Firestation Brasserie in Chatham has created The Fire Hydrant with hibiscus syrup, vodka, lime and sliced jalapeno to give an extra kick.

The Rochester Bar in the High Street has concocted its version of Medway Iced Tea with vodka, gin, Archers Triple Se and white rum – indeed everything but tea.

The Nag's Head at the Chatham end of Rochester High Street has gone for a Pornstar Martini with vodka, vanilla, prosecco and passion fruit juice.

The Dead Pigeon has favoured local ingredients for its Mint Condition using Ranscombe Gin, Kent lemon cider, homemade cucumber syrup and mint.

While Spanish and South American diner Rico Sabor in Rochester High Street has stuck to the refreshing holiday favourite of sangria.

Event organiser Alex Watson said: "I launched it last year as part of a Covid recovery scheme to help support the independent bars and restaurants, who were hit so hard.

" I wanted to create an event that would give people a reason to visit Rochester and not just once, but multiple times.

"It was hugely successful for the bars and restaurants, but also for the wristband holders too, with more than 2,000 people taking part last year.

"Cocktail-wise, we have over 50 cocktails submitted and only about five duplicates, so I think everyone has been very creative.

"Some have gone for traditional serves, but most have created a cocktail especially.

"We've also extended the boundaries beyond Rochester to allow some key venues to also take part including The Fire Station Brasserie, The Pumproom at Copper Rivet, 10:50 From Victoria Micropub, and The Jerk Café, to name but a few."

Paul Dixon, who runs the Wolfe and Castle micropub is pouring an Orchard Spritz using Merlet pear liquor, apple juice, bitters and soda.

Since opening four months ago, business has gone from strength-to-strength,

He said: "We have gone from three on tap to five.

"The cocktail week is a great idea. It gets people out and together. It also shows as well a good beer we also do a fine gin and tonic and cocktails.

Jody Carrington, who runs Poco Loco in Chatham High Street, is offering three cocktails.

She said: "I think it's a great idea. We are bit off the beaten track from Rochester, so we are hoping to encourage people to come out of the old High street and visit us.

"We pride ourself in our hand-crafted cocktails which we like to add a bit of fun.

"We are trying to promote this area of the town and it's working. The idea is that if people come in they 'll come back again."

A full venue list, cocktail line-up, self guided tours and an interactive map can all be found here.

Among those making a repeat trip will be Matthew Tweedley and his girlfriend Lynne Murphy from Rochester who went along last year to try something new.

The 33-year-old plasterer said: "After lockdown we were keen to get out and go to places we wouldn't normally go and to try different drinks."

Matthew worked in the Good Intent, a traditional boozer in John Street for four years before it closed.

He said: "I'm normally a pint man although I like Mojita on holiday. It's only a fiver a drink, so it's not the end of the world if you don't like it."