I love cocktails. This is a well known fact. I adore the attention to detail, the craftsmanship, complex flavours and of course the fun. Add in some theatre and I am in cocktail heaven.Celebrating its second birthday Hokus Pokus brings all the theatre and atmosphere a sophisticated cocktail fan could ever want.
We've come a long way from the days when a bar tender could shove a paper umbrella in a sickly fruit concoction and call it a a cocktail. And even the most impressive shaker action cannot compare to the mysterious and exciting alchemy happening at this uber cool bar just across the road from Kings Cross Station, underneath the Megaro Hotel.
The theme is inspired by Victorian quack James Morison who in 1828 opened the "British College of Health" just doors from the venue. He was quite the character, widely travelled and claimed to be able to cure all ills with botanical compounds which he prepared in pill form to be swallowed with lemonade.
Now Hokus Pokus doesn't claim to cure all ills (though I felt much better after a couple of their carefully curated cocktails) but they do use botanicals distilled, flamed on fire, smoked or with complementary molecular mixology. Additional lemonade optional.
I was there with my regular cocktail drinking partner, my 23 year old "child", M. Descending the steps into the "alchemy lab" we marvelled over the Victorian apothecary slash steampunk engine room vibe.
Now don't go expecting to order your usual faves. You wont find an expresso martini or a mojito on the menu. This destination is all about putting yourself in the hands of the skilled mixologists. Watching your cocktail being prepared is a little like being back in the chemistry lab at school only with flattering lighting, comfortable seats and considerably more attractive teachers. Unless older men wearing tweed is your thing.
Our first experience was certainly unusual - if memory serves me well (my memory did get a bit fuzzy if I'm honest) it was an in house produced strawberry wine encased in a kind of giant boba pearl which I believe also contained alcohol. Like those Boba pearls this creation popped releasing the liquid in an exciting mouth burst.
Passing the long bar we picked up a molecular martini. A balance of sake, white vermouth and yuzu juice this thickened drink contained three colour coded bursting flavours in the form of molecular caviar.
Then we joined a group watching a mixologist creating flamed potions. I chose cherry and cinnamon infused Amedee-Edouard VS cognac and watched as the liquid was poured into a heated glass then ignited and twirled with the flame changing colours until the flavours and aromas had been taken to a whole new level.
One of my favourites for presentation was a smokey blueberry tequila. Tapatio Black Tequila was infused with blueberries, combined with pure blueberry extract, orange potion, aquafaba and finished with a drop of maple. Then for the show - the mixologist added elderberry smoke encased in a bubble to be popped leaving a smoking showstopper.
There were more, many more cocktails from an extensive list which would take more than a couple of evenings to fully explore. If by any chance you plan a night out with folk who don't appreciate the artistry of cocktails (although why are they your friends anyway if that's the case?) then there is also an impressive list of wines, spirits and liqueurs and even a couple of beers if that's their vibe.
Hokus Pokus is ideal for an after work meet up, birthday party or catch up with your besties and is within a short stagger of Kings Cross, Euston and of course the Tube so convenient for pretty much everywhere.
Disclaimer: I was invited to a press night to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Hokus Pokus. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.