Norfolk


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/drinks-on-me.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/drinks-on-me.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/drinks-on-me-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/drinks-on-me-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/drinks-on-me-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/drinks-on-me-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>With many coveted gongs under their wing for their fun and fabulous spirits (including not one, but two Muddy Awards), <a href="https://whatahoot.co.uk">WhataHoot Bar and Distillery</a> is soaring. Offering cocktail connoisseurs a sterling line up of gins, vodka and, most recently, rum as well as their famous HootFruit drinks garnishes and mixers, WhataHoot has everything you need to add a welcome injection of fun and flavour to your drinks trolley.</p>



<p>The rustic red brick building on King Street in the heart of Lynn offers distillery tours, gin making experiences and cocktail masterclasses as well as space to shop &#8211; seriously, the Pantry as it is so lovingly called is the stuff of dreams, we&#8217;re talking floor to ceiling gin here people – and sample in the bar which is where you&#8217;re most likely to find hospitality and events manager, James Noble. Working in the drinks industry since he was 18, James spills the tea (or rather the gin) to Muddy, about his career so far.</p>



<p>Over to you James!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/cocktail-making.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54516" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/cocktail-making.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/cocktail-making-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/cocktail-making-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/cocktail-making-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/cocktail-making-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-first-job-in-the-drinks-biz-nbsp">Your first job in the drinks biz?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I started working in my local pub as a part time barman when I was 18 &#8211; <a href="https://www.swaninnsouthwootton.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Swan Inn</a> (known affectionately as The Mucky Duck by its regulars) in&nbsp;South Wootton, nr Kings Lynn. It was only supposed to be for a few months as I wanted to follow my Dad into the RAF, but I ended up staying there for 13 years!&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-career-highlight-nbsp">Career highlight?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Having one of our WhataHoot gins selected for the Craft Gin Club. Our <a href="https://whatahoot.co.uk/products/whatahoot-hushwing-dry-gin-70cl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hushwing Gin</a> was “Gin of the Month” for May 2023 which meant it was sent to thousands of subscribers across the country. Only six UK gins get selected every year so that was really quite special.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-memorable-moment-at-work-nbsp">Most memorable moment at work?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I did a charity boxing match in the beer garden back at The Mucky Duck in front of hundreds of locals. It was against a mate of mine, so it was all in good spirits. (pun intended!). Even though I won it was quite daunting and certainly something I won&#8217;t forget.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-would-you-sum-up-your-drinks-philosophy-nbsp">How would you sum up your drinks philosophy?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Be adventurous and try new things. I like to offer our guests something a bit different – you won’t find any of the &#8220;typical&#8221; spirits on our bar.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="706" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/443734235_800807865339169_7828163421965538506_n.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54583" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/443734235_800807865339169_7828163421965538506_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/443734235_800807865339169_7828163421965538506_n-800x565.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/443734235_800807865339169_7828163421965538506_n-768x542.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-celebrating-what-are-you-ordering-nbsp">You’re celebrating, what are you ordering?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>A negroni made with WhataHoot Tawny Orange Gin for a delicious citrus twist!&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dead-or-alive-which-celebrity-would-you-love-to-share-a-cocktail-with-nbsp">Dead or alive, which celebrity would you love to share a cocktail with?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>I’m a big rugby fan so it would be someone from that world &#8211; can I pick the entire England rugby team? It would be quite funny to see all these giant men drinking dainty little cocktails!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-bar-you-ve-ever-visited">The best bar you’ve ever visited?</h3>



<p>I love the Temple Bar area in Dublin &#8211; it’s the happiest place on earth! The bars there just have such a great atmosphere with live trad Irish music and people singing along and just having the best time. <a href="https://www.gogartys.ie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliver St John Gogarty</a> is a traditional pub with loads of cosy corners, friendly staff and great Guinness (of course). It is great for a day drink whereas <a href="https://badasstemplebar.ie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bad Ass Bar</a> which is super popular has a large dance floor and is great for drinks and a boogie later on. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-on-the-your-boozy-bucket-list-nbsp">What’s on the your boozy bucket list?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>A Singapore Sling in <a href="https://www.raffles.com/singapore/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raffles Hotel</a> in Singapore &#8211; I went a few years ago but it was closed for refurbishment, I was absolutely gutted!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Untitled-design.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54526" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Untitled-design.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Untitled-design-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Untitled-design-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/Untitled-design-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-nbsp-spirit-do-you-think-people-should-appreciate-but-don-t">What&nbsp;spirit do you think people should appreciate, but don’t?</h3>



<p>Tequila. People tend to drink cheap nasty ones and wonder why they don’t like it, but a good tequila is like a good whisky, smooth and very enjoyable.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-overrated-drink-and-the-better-alternative-nbsp">Most overrated drink and the better alternative?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Big brand 4% session lagers – I won’t name brands but you know the ones. Drink local craft instead, people!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-a-country-you-d-love-to-explore-just-for-the-drinks">Is there a country you’d love to explore just for the drinks?</h3>



<p>Japan has a good reputation for its whisky these days and it’s an area of spirits I haven’t explored enough yet. Plus it’s a country I’d love to visit.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-holiday-tipple-nbsp">Favourite holiday tipple?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Amaretto sour, I love that sour lemon and sweet Amaretto combo.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/esspresso-martini-800x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/esspresso-martini-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/esspresso-martini-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/esspresso-martini-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/07/esspresso-martini.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-drinks-gadget">Favourite drinks gadget?</h3>



<p>My coffee machine…..for making a mean espresso martini!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-ingredient-nbsp">Favourite ingredient?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>WhataHoot gin of course! My favourite is the <a href="https://whatahoot.co.uk/products/whatahoot-tawny-orange-gin-70cl-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tawny Orange</a>, it&#8217;s made by macerating&nbsp;real orange pieces in&nbsp;a London dry gin base. No sweeteners, sugars, syrups or anything like that are added so it&#8217;s still quite dry but has this lovely fresh orange flavour.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-one-cocktail-tip">What’s your one cocktail tip?</h3>



<p>Go easy on the sugar syrup. <em>Sooo</em> many places use too much and over sweeten their cocktails when there&#8217;s no need.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-hangover-cure-nbsp">Best hangover cure?&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Bacon and egg sandwich &#8211; on white bread with brown sauce &#8211; a big mug of strong builder’s brew and Alka Seltzer!</p>



<p></p>



<p><em><strong>Pop along to see James and the <a href="https://whatahoot.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WhataHoot</a> gang in action at&nbsp;7a King Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1ET</strong> <strong>where aside from all the cocktail shaking there&#8217;s a selection of events including games nights, <a href="https://www.jokepit.com/comedy-in/other/whatahoot-comedy-club-october/12146" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comedy club</a> and <a href="https://www.tickettailor.com/events/deanodellmagicianmindreader/1182761" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magic and mind reading</a>.</strong></em></p>


Drinks on me! WhataHoot’s James Noble spills all

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