Whether you’re an experienced bartender or looking to learn more about cocktails, mixology classes can enhance your cocktail skills. Choosing the right course for your needs is key.
If you want to start by icebreaking your team, check out the mocktail-based Zoom cocktail event that ships an at-home bar kit to each attendee before a fun Chopped-style competition.
Think Beyond Your Liquor Cabinet
One of the best things about mixology is that you can get started on your path to bartending alchemy from the comfort of your home. All you need are some essentials that will allow you to experiment with different flavors and concoctions without spending hundreds at a bar.
Once you have your bartending tools, start stocking up on a few exciting ingredients. Then you’re ready to start pouring like a pro!
Remember, there is no right or wrong way to create a drink regarding cocktails. It is all about personal preference and experimentation. While you should always follow recipes to ensure your drinks turn out consistently well, trying new things and seeing what happens is fun!
As you begin experimenting with different ingredients, remember the basic rule of cocktail making: A base spirit (such as vodka, gin, or whiskey), something bitter or sour, and something sweet to balance it all out. This is a great place to start, and you can even use a classic cocktail recipe, such as the Daiquiri, as your starting point to test out these fundamental principles.
While pre-made cocktail mixers and drink cordials will do the trick in a pinch, there is nothing quite like the zesty notes of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice or the beautiful green hue of muddled herbs added to a freshly made cocktail. These extra steps will ensure that your drinks have a professional taste and presentation that your guests will enjoy.
Experiment With Different Ingredients
Anyone can get behind a bar and mix up a couple of spirits, but it takes a true professional to craft a delicious cocktail. To do so, they must examine all of the elements—not just the liquids—in their drink to create a balanced drink that complements each component. That’s what makes mixologists so special.
When you sign up for a virtual mixology class like CocuSocial offers, you can experiment with different ingredients and learn how to incorporate them into cocktails that impress your friends and family. The women-owned company that runs the classes, Mixology Mixer, offers a variety of mixer kits for attendees to take home with them.
These kits contain the equipment, utensils, and ingredients necessary to make the drinks in the class. Each one is accompanied by an HD video that explains each recipe. The video can be viewed at any time after the class is completed.
These kits are also a great option for remote team building. Gather your employees and host a virtual cocktail party with a hosted mixer class that can be watched from anywhere with an internet connection. These remote events are perfect for networking, team building, or a quick way to unwind after a long week.
Master the Art of Shaking and Stirring
Anyone can get behind a bar and mix a few spirits, but true cocktail makers look at the components of each drink and see how they can complement one another and create something new. It’s a lot more complicated than you might think!
When you take a virtual mixology class, you’ll learn all about the tools, glassware, and ingredients needed to make the most popular drinks. You’ll also be taught about different shaking and stirring techniques to impress your friends when you host a party.
Shaking cocktails allows for aeration, reducing the bitterness of some ingredients and making a drink more smooth. This is why it’s important to master this technique.
Stirring is the other essential skill to develop for a successful bartending career, as it’s used in almost every beverage. To correctly stir, you’ll need to swirl the mix in a steady, circular motion without stopping or letting the mix clump up at the bottom of the glass. This will avoid excess dilution and splashing.
Learn to Garnish
A good bartender knows that every drink needs a garnish to complete the look and taste of the cocktail. The right garnish can be fun to show off creativity and add interest to your drinks. Ensuring your cocktails are presented well is important, which can help increase sales.
Bartending classes teach you how to properly prepare and serve various cocktails from the comfort of your home. They are ideal for beginners interested in mixing alcoholic beverages or experienced bartenders looking to perfect their skills. The courses typically teach participants the basics of bartending, such as proper measuring and pouring, making classic cocktails, and using fresh, quality ingredients.
The courses also offer a deeper dive into different spirits and ingredients. They explain how to recognize and distinguish between various types of booze, such as vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey. They may also cover non-alcoholic ingredients like syrups, juices, and bitters.
Some of the best mixology classes include a mixer kit, which provides all the equipment and tools needed to prepare the cocktails taught in the class. The kits are available from many online sources, including reputable retailers.
