Magic Cocktail Cabinet

The magician holds a small packet of cards and says that it contains ‘Drink Cards’. Any drink that is spelled out with the cards automatically appears. The magician then demonstrates by spelling various drinks, each time, the selected drink appears on top. When a spectator is allowed to have a go, however, a glass of milk always appears no matter what drink is asked for.

Secret: The cards are in a specific order at the beginning and because of the number of letters in each drink, the trick works automatically. When you spell out a drink, place the top card to the bottom every time you say a letter. On the last letter of the drink, turn over that card. For example, if you were to spell WINE you would place a card from the top to the bottom on ‘W’, another card on ‘I’, another card on ‘N’ and then turn the last card face up on ‘E’.

To perform, hold the drink cards face-down in the following order from top to bottom. Brandy, Whisky, Wine, Beer, The Bill, Martini, Vodka, and Milk. To help you remember this order, each card has been marked with a black number in the bottom right corner of the picture side.

Tell your audience that you are holding a very special packet of cards that will provide whatever drink you request. You give an example by spelling out BEER.

On the last letter (R) turn over the card to show the ‘Beer Card’. Place the ‘Beer Card’ on the table.

Repeat the process once more but this time spell WHISKY. On the last letter turn over the card and show the ‘Whisky Card’. Place the ‘Whisky Card’ down on the table.

Ask a spectator to have a go. Give him the cards and instruct him to spell out VODKA. Make sure your spectator understands the rules of the ‘game’. On the last letter, he will be shocked to turn over the card and discover he has received the ‘Milk Card’.

Retrieve the packet and the ‘Milk Card’ and casually place the ‘Milk Card’ on the bottom.

Now demonstrate how to do it correctly. Spell out VODKA and turn the last card over. It will be the ‘Vodka Card’. Place the ‘Vodka Card’ on the table.

Let the spectator have another go. Give him the cards and ask him to spell BRANDY. Again, make sure he follows the rules exactly. He will once more end up with the ‘Milk Card’.

Retrieve the packet and the ‘Milk Card’ and casually place the ‘Milk Card’ on the bottom.

Spell out BRANDY yourself and you will once again achieve success by turning over the ‘Brandy Card’. Place the ‘Brandy Card’ on the table.

Your spectator may believe that you are cheating him in some way and so offer to do the next one for him. Spell out MARTINI. You will, of course, get the Martini Card. Place the ‘Martini Card’ on the table.

Let the spectator have another go. Ask him to spell out WINE. Again, he will get the ‘Milk Card’. Take back
the packet and the ‘Milk Card’, casually placing it on the bottom.

Spell out WINE and show success. Place the ‘Wine Card’ on the table.

Say to your spectator, “We are now left with only two cards, Champagne and Milk. Because you have ended up with the Milk every time, and I am a kind magician, I will spell out Milk.”

Spell out MILK and show that you have got the ‘Milk Card’. Then say to your spectator, “So, that only leaves one card left. What is it?” He will say Champagne.

It will be a big surprise when you turn over the card to reveal that he has been left with The Bill!