Cartagena, Colombia
Bar – Alquimico
Cocktail – Petronio
Down in the bustling city of Cartagena, the team at Alquimico continues to enthral hordes of people every day with some of the region’s best drinks and finest hospitality. It never ceases to amaze us how a bar that sees such a high footfall on a daily basis manages to be so meticulous about the quality of their drinks and offers some of the most consistently well balanced drinks we have ever had in a high volume bar of its kind. Truly one of a kind, Alquimico is a bar well worth travelling for, and a drink we think you absolutely must try is the Petronio. Created as a team effort, the drink is inspired by the Pacific music festival Petronio Álvarez, using Tequila, Viche*, Puré de lulo, Vanilla syrup, and lime.
*Viche: a spirit distilled from sugarcane, popularised by the pacific coast of the country. This is Colombia’s equivalent of Mexico’s mezcal in terms of its denomination and legacy. Primarily distilled by women, Viche’s legacy stems from the country’s ties to slavery. Viche is the collective heritage of the Afro-Colombian black communities of the Colombian Pacific coast. Previously illegal, Colombia’s senate passed a law in September 2021 declaring the beverage a part of the country’s “cultural and ancestral heritage,” allowing its commercial production. Viche is also said to have plant components of great medicinal value that are used to treat bugs and ailments across the country. While some journalists have been quick to diss the beverage, our experience of it was quite the opposite. Highly recommended by The Dram Attic. Check out Viche Doña Sofi.
Credits: https://www.worlds50bestbars.com/the-list/alquimico.html
