Introduction To Cocktails Level 1

Learn the tools of the trade! Bartender training involves all sorts of equipment like jiggers, different types of bar spoons, shakers and strainers, as well as a range of glassware and all sorts of products from spirits to garnishes.

You’ll dive into the essential equipment, as well as some of the more advanced pieces of kit we use to make amazing cocktails. We’ll discuss the major spirit categories, talking about where they’re from, what they are made of and how they’re made. Plus we’ll cover the importance of quality ice, what the purpose of ice is in a cocktail and why certain types and shapes of ice are important.

• What exactly is a ‘jigger’?
• What’s the difference between a coupe and a martini glass?
• What is tequila made from?
• How is clear block ice made?

Mixing drinks is the name of the game! You’ll learn the principle techniques you need to make cocktails, from stirring to shaking to rolling, as well as which method is most suitable for different drinks. We’ll show you different ways to shake cocktails and how different types of shakes and shakers affect the cocktail. You’ll practice how to stir a drink properly to get it perfect every time, as well as different mixing techniques that you can use instead of stirring.

You’ll also get an understanding of how to pour, garnish and serve drinks correctly, whilst also learning about the importance of a cocktail’s appearance and how to excite the people you are mixing them for.

• What’s the difference between shaking and stirring?
• Why do some cocktails need to be stirred?
• What makes a garnish ‘great’?
• What does a perfectly poured cocktail look like?

Tasting sessions – an absolute essential for a cocktail class. This is why we recommend you leave your cars at home for this course! At the end of each day of the course we’ll jump behind the bar to give you a full tasting of the cocktails that we cover on the course.

You’ll get a chance to show off what you’ve learnt and make cocktails for you and your classmates, making and tasting around 20 drinks, from classics to modern day marvels. You’ll see first hand how your technique and precision affects flavour, how balance works in cocktails as well as how to use ice to change the dynamics of a drink. Plus you’ll learn how to taste thoughtfully and recognise flavours.

• What does a balanced cocktail taste like?
• What does a whiskey sour taste like when using bourbon versus Irish whiskey?
• How does using crushed ice versus cubed ice affect the flavour?

There is a vast difference between using a pre-bottled product and making your own from scratch. This is the basic principle of Mixology, the culinary art that separates an everyday cocktail from the craft cocktail.

In our mixologist training we’ll guide you through how to properly cook and create mixology recipes, with insights into measurements and scaling, how to handle different products and what flavours work well together. You’ll create your own products, such as purees, foams, syrups and cordials and learn how to extract the most flavour out of your ingredients. Then you’ll see how we can use these delicious products in delicious cocktails!

• What is the difference between a cordial and a syrup?
• What’s the best way to make a raspberry syrup?
• What flavours go best with passionfruit?

Classic cocktails are the foundation of cocktail culture but craft cocktails are where the creativity comes to life. By taking all you learnt from the mixology part of the course, we’ll start making them into craft cocktails, bespoke drinks that allow new and exciting flavours to shine.

We’ll go from twists of the classics, to elevated to twists to signature cocktails. Through this process you’ll begin to understand how to design your own cocktails that express your personality through flavour.

• What really defines a ‘craft cocktail’?
• How do I design a cocktail from scratch?
• Which spirits work best with which flavours?