This is a trendy speakeasy-type bar in Stockholm’s old town. The building originally opened as a pharmacy in 1575 and was the first commercial pharmacy in the country (and one of the first in Europe).

As such, the venue today has many nods to its medicinal past. It has a beautiful, whimsical interior, excellent cocktails and very good service from bar staff, passionate about their ingredients.

They smoke their own vermouth which I very much need to come back for.

Have yourself a wander through Gamla Stan and make your way towards the Nobel Prize Museum, the bar is situated just opposite.

The crowd is a mixture of locals and foreigners, including quite a few people on dates.

Despite it’s speakeasy vibe, it has a brazenly open terrace outside. On the inside, the lighting is soft and low, with dark panelling, a South American vibe, good music and beautiful artwork by _lulu_lunera.

I got a seat at the bar for the front row show. The staff were friendly, attentive and empathic and I was given a very large bottle of water as soon as I was sat down. They are also very passionate about their many ingredients, some exotic, some homemade, and all carefully mixed.

A classic martini is not on the menu but I was offered one when I requested it. It was stirred with ice and served in a coupe glass that had been chilled in the freezer. They actually have classic v-shaped glasses in the freezer so I would recommend requesting this in future but it was still very nicely served with two buttery Nocellara olives on an attractive skewer. The gin was Bombay Sapphire and the vermouth was Noilly Prat. In all, it was dry, cold and delicious.

I couldn’t leave without trying at least one of their impressive sounding cocktails so I had a chat with one of the staff who guided me through the selection. Given my martini taste I was recommended the Flora and Fauna.

It contains tequila, smoked Noilly Prat, duck fat, green chartreuse, absinthe and homemade botanical bitters.

It was served in a chilled bottle with a dropper, separate glass, olives and edible pansy. Once poured it was a sweet and sour boozy sip with a delicious smokey character that put me in mind of Mexico. Definitely worth coming back for.

All in all, this is a very good cocktail bar with good ingredients and passionate service in a very picturesque part of Stockholm. At 195 Swedish krona (around £15 or just under $20) this is a good price for a high quality Nordic martini.

Skål!