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Mixology @ Home | Starter Guide

Mindful mixology is as simple as 1, 2, 3
 

1. Purchase your ingredients in advance

Forward this webpage to all class participants — and ask them to purchase ingredients based on the cocktail/s they’d like to make. (These cocktail recipes will be sent directly to the event coordinator to share with the team.) Each recipe is essentially its own shopping list; see samples below.


2. Assemble your bar tools

Here are the basic bar tools you’ll need, in addition to some kitchen-drawer substitutes. If you’d like to invest in a full bar kit, however, I highly recommend it!

 

No bar tools? No worries! I’ll help you rummage through your cabinets until everything is sorted. 
 

  • Cocktail Shaker
    (Boston, Tin-on-Tin, Cobbler, French/Parisian)
    Alternative: sealable Mason Jar (24 oz to 32 oz)
    or plastic protein shaker

 

  • Cocktail Strainer
    Alternative: small kitchen whisk

 

  • Stirring Glass
    Alternative: large pint glass

 

  • Stirring Spoon
    Alternative: any long, skinny spoon you may have on hand

 

  • Muddler (for crushing up fruit, herbs, etc.)
    Alternative: the blunt end of a wooden spoon (or similar)

 

  • Jigger (for measuring liquor, liqueur, and other liquids)
    Alternative: any container that measures liquid ounces
    (by 1oz increments, if possible)

 

  • Paring Knife (the sharper the better)

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  • Cutting Board

 

  • Vegetable Peeler

 

  • Cocktail Glasses
    You can serve most crafted cocktails     out of a double rocks glass,
    but feel free to get fancy. 

 

  • Don’t forget the ice! 
    If you’re making an Old Fashioned, chunky ice is the most
    important ingredient! (I’ll tell you why later). Rubber ice molds
    a    dd a touch of class to any crafted cocktail.


3. Mixology time!
Now that you’ve assembled your ingredients, bar tools, and fellow
drink-slingers, let’s craft some cocktails together.

A few housekeeping notes from your friendly neighborhood mixologist:

Hey there, folks! I recommend setting up shop in your kitchen; access to a sink and garbage can is preferable. (Check to ensure your Wi-fi signal is strong, too.) Please have your microphone on mute when you arrive, and utilize "speaker view" during my cocktail presentations; the “gallery view” is best for group interactions.

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I'm happy to give direction in real time if anyone needs help selecting improvisational kitchen tools! We’ll rely on basic Zoom etiquette to chat with each other; guests can (mindfully) interrupt me at any time if they have a question, or type their question into the comment thread. For larger groups, I’ll have a moderator to verbalize questions to me throughout the class.

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After introducing myself, I'll start out with a brief introduction to bartending and mixology; we’ll make each drink at a casual-but-steady pace over the course of ~90 minutes, based on what everyone would like to make first. 

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If time allows, I'll open up the floor to an interactive Q&A session at the end of our class; everyone should have a notebook and pen handy for when inspiration strikes. 

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Additional reference: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/ultimate-happyhour

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Sample Cocktale Recipes

 

the Perfect Margarita 

1.0 oz blanco tequila

1.0 oz anejo tequila

1.0 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur

0.5 oz lime juice (fresh)

0.5 oz lemon juice (fresh)

0.5 oz agave syrup

garnish: lime wedge, sea salt rim

 

Coat the rim of a double rocks glass with salt (if desired); fill with ice and set aside. Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker; fill shaker ¾ to the top with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds; strain over clean ice; garnish with lime wedge. 

 

the Oh My! Orangarita

2.0 oz blanco tequila

0.5 oz Grand Marnier orange liqueur

2 dashes Angostura orange bitters

3 dashes Regans' orange bitters

1.0 oz orange juice (fresh)

0.5 oz lime juice (fresh)

0.25 oz vanilla extract

garnish: orange wheel, lime wedge

 

Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker; fill shaker ¾ to the top with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds; strain over clean ice; garnish with orange wheel and an extra dash of orange bitters on top (if desired). 

 

Classic Paloma 

2.0 oz blanco tequila

0.5 oz lime juice (fresh)

Grapefruit soda, to top

garnish: Grapefruit wheel

 

Add the tequila and lime juice to a highball glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruit soda, and stir briefly; add the garnish.

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