IN one year Deansgate's cocktail apothecary, Elixir, has become renowned for putting a great deal of faff and theatrics into cocktail making. They've long gone beyond the bog-standard Martini and its specialist cocktails are crafted to put on a show - complete with smoke machine.
It’s been a wonderful year for Elixir and we’re over the moon to be turning one
On Thursday 6 November, Elixir went the whole-hog for its first birthday and transformed its basement into a Narnia-inspired winter wonderland. Set to a wider theme of the 'philosophical elements' (fire, earth, water, air and ether), the bar also called in a fire-dancer for the evening's entertainment.
As expected, there was a fair share of theatre. Party guests were led mysteriously downstairs to Elixir’s basement event space, to push through a wall of fur coats to find a decadent winter Narnia with sparkling ice, soft snow and intricate ice flakes.
Elixr's basement winter wonderland
The birthday provided opportunity to showcase Elixir's new winter menu, including new cocktails 'Mermaid’s Teardrop' (£8.50 vodka, kwai feh, coconut and ocean syrup with a teardrop ice bomb and chocolate sea-glass shell) and 'By The Fire' (£8.50 rum, dark chocolate liqueur, homemade chocolate syrup and a splash of cream, topped with a flaming mallow foam and a skewered campfire treat.)
Elixr's 'By The Fire' cocktail
Elixir’s owners Jess & Dan Purnell commented on their birthday success: “It’s been a wonderful year for Elixir and we’re over the moon to be turning one this evening.
"We’ve received a fantastic response from the new cocktails too. We wanted to create something for people to enjoy, share and experience. For us, that’s what it’s all about and with the Elements Experimental menu that’s precisely what you’ll find.”
Take a look at the gallery below.
By The Fire Cocktail
Down To Earth
