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Experience The Alchemist’s magic

London runs on coffee and cocktails, which makes them both readily available in our fair city. But finding a particularly outstanding coffee shop or bar isn’t always as easy.
The Alchemist, hidden on Bevis Marks near Liverpool Street, is a cocktail haven. And as its name would suggest, the drinks come with more than just an umbrella and a fruit garnish. With a whole periodic table of drinks, the choice is amazing. And so are some of the ingredients.  
The Bubble Bath is made up of Tanqueray gin, Aperol, Chambord, lemon, apple and …. Fairy liquid. But far from trying to wash your mouth out, the cleverly designed special ingredients produce an ever bubbling drink that also tastes delicious. We also love the Red Dead Zombie, which is a twist on the classic Zombie, consisting of Bacardi Carta Blanca, Wray and Nephew, Grand Marnier, lime, pineapple, cranberry, zombie mix and smoke. And smoke it does, as well as glitter.
The originality of the drinks and the close attention to detail secures The Alchemist’s place at the top of the (chemistry) class.
But if smoke and foam is a bit too out there, there is a huge array of classic cocktails, along with some more innovative ones, such as a rhubarb and custard sour with Chase rhubarb, Liquor 43, lemon and egg white. Or try a Pot O’ Gold with Tanqueray, rhubarb gin, pink grapefruit, citrus and pineapple booze jelly. There is also a generous selection of mocktails, such as the Banana Manana or the Bubblygum (complete with bubbles).
And if the impressive drinks menu isn’t enough, The Alchemist also has a great food menu, which includes breakfast and brunch, nibbles, sharing platters, mains and bar snacks. From a full English (veggie option available) to American waffles and cheese and ham toasted tortillas, you could breakfast here for weeks without getting bored.
If all the cocktails are making you peckish, try some pork steamed buns, prawn lollipops, veggie gyoza or nachos from the sharer menu. Veggies are also well catered for, with of popquorn “chicken” and quorn fajitas, along with many more options.
The mains are delicious and offer a different selection to most bar menus. They include a Tandoori seabass fillet, vegan Keralan curry, shwarma cauliflower steak (vegan) and smoking pho.
The atmosphere is laid-back and chilled, with the talented cocktail staff on hand to make anything requested. The bar is covered in test tubes, Bunsen burners and skulls, which fits in well with the airy building and overall vibe. Whether you love a bit of chemistry, or you’re just all about the magic, The Alchemist does not disappoint. Go and visit ASAP and get to work on that cocktail menu.

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