EVENTS : The Cauldron, Edinburgh
Boggart-banashing spells, the Wiggenweld potions and Exploding Charms; plant ingredients such as belladonna and supplies such as glass phials and weighing scales, along with a standard cauldron are all things you’ll find in the Potions Class at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Similar things wont be out of place at Edinburgh’s latest quirky pop-up - The Cauldron - except that the potions that you concoct and ingest wont turn you into a frog, make you fall in love or make you invisible.
"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."
—Professor Snape's introduction of the subject
The Cauldron Magical Experience is a 1 hr 45 min immersive class in Edinburgh, where you wield a working magic wand and use molecular mixology to brew drinkable elixirs. After donning a robe and receiving a magic wand, you are led to an interactive work station where you learn spellcasting 101 by pouring a welcome drink of either beer, cocktail, or mocktail.
Sid the Snake spouts beer, Derek the Dragon dispenses gin and Penelope, the mystical creature pours a mocktail.
Obviously we all chose Derek the Dragon. You need to use your wand to magically release the G&T.
Sat at our workstations, laden with phials, cauldrons, a magic wooden box, a pestle and mortar, measuring caps, glass jars and stirrers; it was time to make our first portion.
To test our level of skill, first up is the Transformation Toniq. Simply follow the instructions and raise your wand to alert your potion master should you require help.
Just be prepared to read, as the potion instructions are quite lengthly but fun to make.
You get to brew two molecular potions that change colour, bubble, and smoke.
I don’t want to give too much away but this is a fully interactive experience. Ideally, be a Harry Potter fan and harbour a secret desire to be a wizard and yield a wand - oh and have a love for cocktails.
The cocktails are pretty potent and depending on if you made them correctly, taste quite nice too.
It’s most definitely a one-off experience but worth it if there are a group of you attending.
Tickets are from £29.99 per magical being and include a welcome drink, two molecular cocktails, and the interactive experience. There are also alcohol-free, gluten, and vegan options available.
Additional drinks as well as a limited food menu are also available to purchase.
The Cauldron, Frederick Street, Edinburgh. To book visit their website thecauldron.io/edinburgh