Introduction
In the heart of Cartagena’s historic walled city stands Alquímico, a bar that has quietly transformed itself into one of the most celebrated cocktail destinations in the world. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion, Alquímico invites guests on a multi-sensory journey through Colombia’s rich biodiversity, traditions, and modern mixology. At the helm is Jean Trinh, a French-Vietnamese bartender who fell in love with Colombia and its people. What began as a single-floor bar in 2016 has grown into a three-story temple to Colombian culture. Each level offers a distinct experience. On the ground floor, the Comunidad menu celebrates partnerships with local farmers and cooperatives, with ingredients sourced directly from regional producers. Drinks like Ajonjolí (a sesame-infused whisky milk punch) or Yuca (a vegetal rum cocktail featuring feijoa syrup and yucca tincture) highlight the depth of Colombia’s agricultural wealth. Ascend to the second floor and the mood shifts to Clásicos Alquimistas, where timeless cocktails are reimagined with Colombian identity. Familiar recipes like the Martini or Negroni are meticulously prepared, often using clarified infusions, house-made liqueurs, and native botanicals. Finally, at the rooftop bar La Terraza, vibrant music, dancing, and farm-to-bar cocktails create a joyous, high-energy atmosphere. Many ingredients here are sourced from Alquímico’s own 27-acre farm in Filandia, an ambitious sustainability project born during the pandemic. In 2020, as the pandemic brought global hospitality to a halt, Trinh and 22 team members left the city to live and work on the farm. They planted coffee, citrus, herbs, and botanicals, establishing a vertically integrated supply chain that today supplies much of Alquímico’s menu. The farm stands as a living expression of Trinh’s vision for sustainability, local empowerment, and circular economy — philosophies that run through every part of Alquímico’s operations. But for all its technical innovation, Alquímico’s true magic lies in its atmosphere. Cartagena’s warm, humid nights spill into the bar’s open balconies, where cumbia and salsa fill the air. Guests dance, sip, and connect in a space that feels both elegant and entirely alive. The hospitality is personal, the service intimate, and every detail — from the design to the glassware — is carefully chosen to celebrate Colombian identity. Alquímico’s rise on the world stage has been meteoric. It debuted on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, climbed into the global top ten, won “Best Bar in South America,” and, in 2024, was awarded World’s Best Bar by Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards. Yet, for all its accolades, the bar remains firmly rooted in its original mission: to celebrate Colombian culture with authenticity, care, and joy. Signature drinks like the Petronio — inspired by Colombia’s Afro-Caribbean music festival — embody this spirit. A vibrant mix of tequila, viche (a sugarcane-based spirit), lulo, vanilla, and lime, it captures the flavors, climate, and soul of Colombia in a single glass. Alquímico is more than a bar; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. It showcases what modern hospitality can become when anchored by community, sustainability, and identity. For guests who pass through its colonial doors, Alquímico offers not just expertly crafted cocktails, but an invitation into Colombia’s story — one built on resilience, beauty, and the timeless power of shared celebration.
