Theatrical cocktails and amazing views.
Famed for its fancy cocktails, The Alchemist serves up dangerously drinkable concoctions with a side of smokey showmanship.
And while we’re blessed with no fewer than three Alchemists in Manchester, the one in Media City is our personal favourite. Due (in part) to the breathtaking views it offers across Media City and the quays, making it the perfect spot for chilled after-work drinks or big nights out.
So when the lovely folks at The Alchemist, Media City invited us over to try a couple of their cocktails we jumped at the opportunity!
We started with The Colour Changing One, which gives guests the opportunity to play chemist by mixing the contents of two conical flasks (hello, GCSE chemistry) to create something magical. With Grey Goose vodka, Briottet apple, soda and citrus, The Colour Changin One is the perfect treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.
We then moved on to The Lightbulb Moment, which is pure theatre. The smokey solution is brought out on a tripod and once the mist clears guests are left with a truly delicious drink. Made up of Tanqueray gin, Pimms, ginger beer, raspberry, lemon and mint The Lightbulb Moment is a delicious mix of sweet and spicy.
The lovely staff then surprised us with a couple of drinks from the secret augmented reality cocktail menu. The menu and accompanying app, The Conjuror, allow guests to discover hidden elixirs by marrying the theatrical mixology element that underpins its menu with modern technology.
To enter the hidden domain, guests simply download and open the app and focus their camera onto an augmented reality coaster to enter the mysterious realm. With six Augmented Reality cocktails on the menu, there is plenty of choice for guests to unravel the carefully formulated concoctions. We don’t want to give too much away (it’s a secret, after all) but we will say they were bloody lovely!