Cartagena Bar Alquímico Is Three Stories of Cocktail Magic – Food & Wine

I shouldn’t have been surprised that my night at Alquímico was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had at a bar, as it was recently named the tenth best bar in the particular world. But I’d never been to one of the ten best bars in the world before, and I didn’t know exactly what I was in for.  

Located in Cartagena’s Old Town, Alquímico is set inside associated with an ornate old mansion that reflects the neighborhood’s historic architecture, with two indoor levels and a third rooftop floor. Art Deco details, the grand double-sided staircase on the first ground, a balcony on the second, and vintage accents like crown moldings create a sense of grandiosity as soon as you step inside.

While the space itself is enough to make you remember a night at Alquímico, the creative menus — a different one for every floor — make it among the coolest cocktail encounters you’ll ever have.

Floor 1 – La Mansión

Floor one is where you’ll have your first cocktail of the night time, and its menu is fittingly more cerebral — the particular bar describes its first level because “the essence of Alquímico. ” The drinks on this floor are unique to the bar plus extremely innovative, featuring spirits infused with flavors like corn, green tea, or even cheese. These are the kind of cocktails that you want to think more about; they deserve in order to be sipped and savored before you’ve had three espresso martinis.  

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While upon floor 1 I tried the Té Caribeño, a tart, earthy, and subtly sweet concoction of Tanqueray Rangpur gin , Maraschino liqueur, a green tea infusion, dehydrated coconut, Peruvian groundcherries, and lime juice. (Alquímico recently redesigned all of its menus, and a server told me that this was her favorite out of the particular new drinks. )

Floor 2 – El Balcón

The particular second level of Alquímico will be dedicated to classic cocktails, which you can sip around the grand balcony while peering down at the flooring below.   None of the drinks on this menu, however, are straightforward versions of the particular classic drinks you may know; the pub puts an unique spin on each one. I attempted the Clear Espresso Martini , which, as the name indicates, was completely clear (instead from the typical brown) plus flavored along with a hint of cardamom. The Ayu, or House Highball , includes coca cordial and orange blossom, while the Tomoji (House Mojito ) adds lemongrass plus sage in with the usual mint and lime.  

Nothing of these new takes upon classic beverages felt gimmicky, either. Even the Obvious Espresso Martini, which could easily rely on its color alone as a selling point, was spectacularly delicious with warmly spiced notes from the additions of cardamom plus cocoa.

Floor 3 – Terraza

Ground number 3 screams “fun, ” which usually seems appropriate since it’s where you’ll end the night. Located on the rooftop of Alquímico, you can look out at the evening sky whilst dancing in order to reggaeton and remixes associated with pop hits. The drinks reflect this spirited, let-loose vibe. This level’s tiki-inspired menu is usually packed along with fruity, refreshing cocktails, none of which are too sweet.

I had the Mandarino, a citrusy blend of gin, Alquímico’s own mandarin-lemon liqueur, pineapple extract, lime juice, plus bee pollen. Bright, juicy, and relaxing drinks such as these are usually exactly what I want in the end of the night time. I don’t need something as strong as a martini (can a person tell I think of everything in terms of martinis? ), along with a big glass full of ice and something super refreshing is perfect for sipping in the hot Cartagena air.

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Most of the particular cocktails, no matter the floor, rely upon fruits, herbs, and other organic ingredients. Perhaps the best part of Alquímico is how it shows off Colombia’s biodiversity and indigenous ingredients. Co-owner Jean Trinh actually purchased a farm in the country’s coffee region within 2019, which now supplies the club with much of this produce. So when I say “Alquímico’s personal mandarin-lemon liqueur, ” We mean that will quite literally.

If that wasn’t enough, Trinh also used the particular farmland to house plus feed his staff during the early part of the pandemic, when the bar has been forced in order to close. It’s this respect for the earth and what this can create that provides an extra layer associated with magic behind Alquímico’s beverages.