Berlin, Germany (Weltexpress). At The Alchemist in Berlin, Berliners and visitors to the city that never seems to sleep, as well as visitors to the Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival, can let it bubble. The drinks in this bar, which is also a restaurant, are truly magical.
At the bar and on the tables, customers with the necessary change can see how bartenders and waiters heat up cool cocktails. Much smoke for nothing? Yes, on the red carpet at Marlene-Dietrich-Platz, but not at The Alchemist in Linkstraße on the green strip between Potsdamer Platz and the Landwehr Canal, wittily named Tilla-Duriex-Park. There’s no question that the canal is also bubbling, but for different reasons. You can see, hear and taste that masters of the dark arts of molecular mixology are at work at The Alchemist.
At The Alchemist, mixologists create a Berliner Allerlei of cocktails. These are often presented in vessels that are staged for a devilish shot of theatre. If the drinks aren’t staged at The Alchemist, where are they? Guests seem to find the eye candy exciting. First they order drinks with dry ice, then they take photos and film them. “Instagram” and “Tiktok” are full of photos and videos. I am too, but I needed food and drink for that.
Food
The food at The Alchemist Berlin is categorised on the menu into “Nibbles”, “Start”, “The Main Event”, “Lighter Plates”, “Handhelds”, “Sides” and “The Sweet Finale”. In October, you might order a pretzel with miso butter, but not from us. We’d rather have “Chorizo & Cheddar Doughballs” as a snack and edamame with salt and pepper to quench our thirst afterwards. What next? “Surf *n Turf” or “Fish & Chips”? “Chicken in a Basket” or between bread? Bought: Kore3an-Fried Chicken Burger and Cheeseburger it should be. Plus greens and house fries. The seasonal vegetables are served with a Vietnamese sweet chilli dressing and the fries are served with salt and pepper (“Salt & Pepper Fries”) and “Katsu Fries”, i.e. with homemade katsu sauce and siriacha mayo.
Drinks
Dustin Thiem is the name of the waiter who brings the burgers and beer to our black table, where two white men are sitting. After Berliner Berg Pale Ale and OBC Berliner Cidre Strong, we wait for the burger (“Why not?”) to quench our thirst and for the first act of theatre in a glass. For “Colour Changing one”, Ketel One Vodka, Apple, Soda, Citrus and Magic are served in a glass and for “Cherry Poppins” Bombay Bramble Gin, Disaronno, Cherry, Strawberry, Citrus and Bubble. The “Zombie Apocalypse” with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, Wray & Nephew, Grand Marnier, Lime, Pineapple, Cranberry and Zombie Mix doesn’t have to be, but everything with Don Julio from the Twisted Paloma menu.
Twisted Paloma with tequila from Don Julio
From “The Paloma” with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Lime, Grapefruit, Agave, Thomas Henry Pink Grapefruit and Soda, to the “Smokey Paloma” with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Giffard Pink Grapefruit, Lime, Agave, Grapefruit and Oak Smoke, the journey continues to the “Basloma” with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Giffard Apricot, Lime, Agave, Fresh Basil and Grapefruit. All three cocktails for tequila lovers currently cost 15 euros.
It’s not just at our table that the chemistry is right. At the table right next door, a couple freshly in love after a “Pornstar Martini” spark more sparks than a mixologist one table over, who manages to set off a veritable firework display. All this and more in the restaurant and bar
The Alchemist
Adress: Linkstraße 4, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Contact: Phone: 030232574455
Web: thealchemist.de
Dress code: Cool to the hot chicken!
