If you like the combination of exotic, playful cocktails, modern fusion cuisine and stunning views across London, then you should plan a visit to The Alchemist in Canary Wharf. We tried out their latest delightfully mad cocktail menu which is inspired by ancient methods of secretly poisoning one’s enemies. Beautifully presented, these crazy concoctions put more than a shot of fun into your night out. The Alchemist is conveniently located next to the station in Reuters Plaza. This two-floor cocktail haven is reliably buzzing with a clientele of locals and those looking for an elegant and fun night out.

Our evening began seated on the first-floor terrace overlooking the colourful centre of Canary Wharf, a great spot for those who like people-watching. The staff at The Alchemist are fun and friendly and have a great knowledge of cocktails to recommend. We kicked off our tasting with Cosmic Oysters as part of The Alchemist’s latest interactive ‘poison’ inspired menu. Consisting of Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru gin, yuzu and citrus, these innocent dreamy-blue little drinks come nestled in glimmering crushed iced with the shots served in stunning oyster-shaped dishes, complete with a dash of passion fruit caviar. ‘Down in two’ these shots are a triumph both visually and in taste.

Whilst there we also indulged in the internationally inspired dinner menu. The Crispy Curried Fish is full of rich fragrant spices and topped with just the right amount of delicious crunchy noodles for that satisfying crunch. This dish is a house favourite and I can see why. The depth of flavour is extremely rich and perfect for those who are drawn to Asian fusion-style dishes. The Duck salad was equally as satisfying, complete with its crunch of nori crisps and sesame seeds. For pudding, we shared Bao-Armisu, a mouth-watering sweet treat – Bao doughnut, biscotti sugar, espresso ice cream and warm liquid chocolate – deadly and delicious!

For our next cocktail we indulged in the hero of the new menu – Pick Your Poison. Served in an ‘assassins teapot’ a trick teapot originating from China. The teapot consists of two separate compartments in which liquid can be poured out of either one depending on where you place your fingers. This crafty teapot was allegedly used in the Ming Dynasty as an assassination device. Since you could pour out tea from one compartment for yourself and pour a second drink laced with poison for your opponent which they would unknowingly drink. The original teapot is rumoured to have been held in the British Museum. This sharing cocktail comes in two parts Red – Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, Cointreau, strawberry, lime and orgeat or Blue – Mount Gay Black Barrell rum, yuzu, citrus and disco blue. All I can say is – what a great way to go! As this drink was heavenly, the tangy cherry-ish sweetness of the rich liquid dances on the tongue and leaves you wanting more.

Other suitably funky drinks include the Piña Co-lava Lamp, a twist on the classic served in a vessel that lights up with a disco light! We had a lovely evening, the cocktails combined with the funky playlist is sure to get you in the mood for fun. The terrace is ideal for summer days and evenings, plus there is plenty of seating outside if you want to go fully al fresco.

The Alchemist’s new cocktail menu is now available in all venues across the UK. Open until late with DJs every weekend. The Alchemist provides playful dining from breakfast through to dinner.

For a full list of Alchemist locations and to book visit https://thealchemist.uk.com/venues

Written by Claire Boom

Photography courtesy of The Alchemist