SUMMERTIME - and the living is easy. The sun is beating down on Chester and everyone's thirst for drink has never been greater. In the hot evenings, Cestrians and tourists are turning out in their droves to quench dry throats and look cool in the city's selection of trendy bars. Drinkers, whether philosophising barflies or gin-sipping pretenders, are revelling in the cocktail boom. Whether downing a Del Boy, indulging in Sex on the Beach or simply getting bombed on B52s, the cocktail scene has arrived in Chester in a tall glass with ice. Cocktail culture in Chester has developed more bottle, with greater ranges of mixed drinks being sampled over the past couple of summers. In the height of summer, the cocktail is the most exciting drink of the moment, with a range of bars in Chester serving more than 50 of the classics and their own exotic creations. Although popular all year round, the summer nights have sent Chester buzzing, expanding the diversity of the cocktail. In the past few years there has been more demand for cocktails, with customers becoming more daring and attracted to the range of curious names and mixture of tastes. Bars in the city, including Revolution, Via Vita and Room, have all recognised the commercial elements in the cocktail market and are therefore all attracting similar customers to their establishments. They each have been quoted as aiming at the more sophisticated clientele, aged mainly between 20 and 40. The consumers are mainly young professionals with a dash of tourists and students - everybody is welcome to join in the fizz of the relaxing and fun atmo-sphere, with a splash of music and friendly bar staff. Chester bars bringing in the more 'classy' brand of customer concentrate on service rather than an extravagant flair from their bar staff. Revolution and Room say their employees are mostly female - and they do look for specific characters to blend the drinks. Expect some tricks and fun at the bar as, according to Revolution, 'showmanship is key with those who live and breathe a good time'. In Chester, drinkers are happy to exchange anything between £3 and £6 for their favourite tipple. Revolution, on Foregate Street, feels another reason for 'cocktail madness' emerging in recent years is that young people have more money to spend. Revolution sees an advantage and aims to educate its customers with its variety of vodka and the introduction of 'buy one, get one free' promotions. The Del Boy To make a Del Boy you will need: * 1 shot Wyborowa Pineapple * 1 shot of Blue Curaco * Pineapple juice * Coconut juice Pour the Wyborowa Pineapple over ice. Add the pineapple juice and the Blue Curaco, with a splash of coconut juice. Pour into a cocktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds. Pour into a glass and add a couple of cherries to decorate. Try this at home and you can alter the strength to your own liking. | 
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