Cocktail Wizard has a literal meaning at The Cauldron, a bar with an experience that you would never expect on the busy Stone Street. Even my GPS was not able to put it correctly on the map! That’s maybe a sign that this place is for the ones who know…if you see what I mean…

Upstairs is where a 1h45 minute class takes place, where you will make two cocktails (I believe that only the welcome drink could be ordered without alcohol, so if you do not drink alcohol, this is not for you). The minimum number of people in your party is 2 and it goes up to 10 and it seems that, before Covid, you could end up with other people, but not now.

As you arrive, they sit you at a table with a sorcerer hat that you can decide to wear or not (full disclosure: I did not) and that you keep at the end of the lesson. Then comes the magic wand, necessary accessory of a wizard, that you will try to light up things around you, as well as summon the “potion master” with “woohoo” that I would probably use only there. And no, the magic wand will be taken back at the end of the class: you cannot bring it home, but I am sure you can buy one online if truly you believe it can have some use for it in another setting.

The decor is interesting, definitely representing the theme of The Cauldron, and you cannot miss the dragon with multiple heads, the unicorn and giant cat head that are in fact fountains for drinks.

Before I talk about the cocktails, I should mention that this place has a full bar, with karaoke every Wednesday, and serves some food like the dragon wings (not spicy at all) or the eggplant quesadilla that were quite good. They also have a vegan selection. But, for the class, only appetizers are available and they will remind you that the time is limited to 1h45.

So, now about the drinks. Know that they change regularly. The welcome drink was the Fairies Insanity, made with rum, vodka, orange juice, pineapple juice (most prominent), lemon, white and red cranberry juice. The name comes from the fact that you would drink it like milk, not realizing that there is alcohol in it. And surely, it was not strong at all and tasted mainly like a mixed fruit drink.

Fairies Insanity cocktail at The Cauldron, NYC, NY

So, then came the elements for the first drink: the Botany Brew, that is gin base. They give you instructions that you need to follow, adding components one at a time. This one was made in a cauldron, and at some point, after being summoned (remember: woohoo), the potion master will put something in it (that he called the fairy dust), the o make it smoked. Look, if you are just mixing ingredients without any dramatic or scientific (shall I say magical) effect, what is the point? Few additional steps followed until the drink was ready, strained in a glass with a rosemary sprig. Good, it tasted like the green tea that was the base of the drink, as well as a citrusy undertone that gave some lightness to it. No strong for sure.

The second drink was rum based: the Time Transfixed. But instead of a cauldron, it was done in an hourglass, the drink being heated and so served hot with a spectacular smoke emanating from it. Of course, like for the fairy dust, the staff was not allowed to explain what they put in the glass. That was my favorite drink, not just because of the theatrical effect when served, but also in term of taste. Strong, it had vermouth that gave a nice amber color and you could taste a bit of the herbs and orange peel that composed the drink.

Overall, it was a fun experience, even if a bit gimmicky. It is surely different from just getting to go to a bar, and you can still have a conversation, although interrupted by the staff as, after all, this is a class. It is a fun experience and know that they change the drinks regularly (at the time of this post, tickets are $45 per person).

Enjoy (I did)!

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The Cauldron-47 Stone St, New York, NY 10004

The Cauldron: become a cocktail wizard...Literally!

Jean-Philippe Gerbi