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.

Elixr06nov61Elixr'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.)

Elixr06nov3Elixr'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.

@ElixirMCR

Elixr06nov17

Utopian Cascade 2

Elixr06nov7

Elixr06nov29

Elixr06nov47

Elixr06nov68

Elixr06nov14

Elixr06nov71

Elixr06nov5

Elixr06nov32

Elixr06nov51

Elixr06nov70

By The Fire Cocktail 2By The Fire Cocktail

Elixr06nov36

Elixr06nov26

Elixr06nov11

Down To EarthDown To Earth

Elixr06nov9