Cocktail Mixology

Cocktail mixology is the craft of making mixed drinks by balancing spirits with sweet, sour, bitter and fresh flavours. It covers the classic techniques, like shaking, stirring and muddling, as well as measuring, dilution and garnish. A good mixologist knows why a drink works, not just what goes in it. And the best bit? Every mistake is still a drink.

Shaking is for drinks with citrus, juice, cream or egg white. Ice, a hard shake and a good strain give a cold, frothy, well-mixed cocktail. The daiquiri and whisky sour are classic shaken drinks.

Stirring is for spirit-forward drinks like the martini, negroni or old fashioned. A gentle stir with ice chills and dilutes the drink while keeping it silky and clear.

Building means pouring straight into the glass over ice, the way you'd make a highball or a gin and tonic.

Muddling is pressing fruit, herbs or sugar to release their flavour, as in a mojito.

Garnishing is the finishing touch, from a citrus twist to a sprig of mint.

The shaker comes first. A Boston shaker is a pair of tins, or a tin and a glass, that fit together, while a cobbler shaker has a built-in strainer and cap. A jigger measures spirits accurately, a long bar spoon handles stirring and layering, and a strainer holds back the ice and bits. A muddler, a sharp knife and plenty of good ice complete the set. Honestly, the ice matters more than most people think.

Your Activity Leader walks you through a selection of classic and modern cocktails, step by step. You'll measure, shake, stir and garnish each one yourself, picking up the tricks of the trade as you go, like how to balance sweet and sour and why a proper shake makes all the difference. Then comes the best part: tasting your own work. Most people leave planning their first home cocktail party.

Absolutely. Non-alcoholic cocktails, sometimes called virgin cocktails or mocktails, use exactly the same techniques. Fresh citrus, syrups, bitters, herbs and sparkling mixers can make a drink every bit as balanced and interesting as the boozy version. Nobody will judge your glass.

You might also like Beer Tasting, Wine Tasting and Coffee Brewing.

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