Best Mixology Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

Learn More About Mixology Courses

What is Mixology?

Mixology is the art of crafting and serving cocktails. While different cultures have enjoyed alcoholic beverages mixed with fruits, juices, sugars, syrups, and spices for as long as humans have been distilling spirits, contemporary US cocktail culture has its origins in the mid-1800s. Historians suggest that the Industrial Revolution and the rise of immigration to the US in the mid-1800s brought different groups and cultures together and drove the creation of the first cocktails such as the Sazerac, the Manhattan, and the Old Fashioned. While mixologists and bartenders have traditionally worked with alcoholic spirits, it is becoming more common for bar and restaurant patrons to seek mocktails and alcohol alternatives like zero-proof spirits.

Whether pursuing mixology as a profession or a hobby, prospective bartenders and mixologists need to know how to use a variety of bar tools and how to create balanced, harmonious, and delicious cocktails which is what a mixology class aims to teach. Common bartending tools include a jigger, a bar spoon, a mixing glass, a cocktail shaker, a strainer, a muddler, and a good paring knife to cut and peel fruit and create garnishes. Mixologists and bartenders must also learn to balance cocktails so that combining the base spirit with added elements does not result in something too tart, too sweet, or too bitter. Master mixologists are even able to experiment with new ingredients, create original cocktails, and develop their own takes on classic cocktails.

Why Learn Mixology?

Many people choose to learn mixology as a way to explore a new hobby or pursue a career as a bartender or a mixologist. Those seeking to work in bars, restaurants, clubs, speakeasies, or lounges should especially consider taking a mixology class. A mixology class will allow one to receive formal training in the art of mixology and practice the skills necessary to succeed in these environments. Completing a mixology course is also a way to show future employers that you have the knowledge necessary to mix cocktails, though most bartenders and mixologists will also need on-the-job experience to perfect their skills.

Learning mixology can also allow someone to master a flexible skillset that one can use to transition into other careers. Mixology training can overlap with training to work as a specialist in other hospitality careers. Sommelier training and certification, for instance, also often includes a detailed knowledge of spirits and wines, great communication skills, and a refined palate. Some mixologists and bartenders also go on to open up bars or cocktail lounges of their own, so receiving mixology training can be the first step on one’s journey to becoming a small business owner.

Mixology is not only for professionals, many learn mixology as a hobby. Crafting cocktails is a fun leisure activity, as it involves working with one’s hands, employing creativity, and allowing for a high degree of customization. A mixology class is a great way to learn more about the history of this craft as well as explore ways to customize and cater cocktails to your own individual tastes and style. Learning mixology allows one to set up or improve their home bar and impress friends, coworkers, and family members during parties and social events. Most mixology classes are starting to incorporate zero-proof and non-alcoholic spirits into their lessons which makes this hobby broadly accessible to many people.

What You’ll Learn in a Mixology Class?

The most important set of skills one learns in a mixology class is how to mix and serve cocktails. This involves knowing the tools of the trade, having a broad familiarity with different liquors, liqueurs, syrups, sodas, sugars, and juices as well as knowing how to prepare garnishes or other appropriate decorations for various cocktails. The goal of cocktail mixing is often to create balance, however, master mixologists can also emphasize certain flavors to create a harmoniously bitter Negroni or a perfectly tart and sweet Lemon Drop. Classes in mixology will also often cover which glassware to use when making certain cocktails, the type of ice one will need, and when to shake or blend a cocktail versus building it in the glass.

Beginning to advanced mixology classes will also usually cover something of the history and production process of cocktails and spirits. Many learners are interested in the Golden Age of Cocktails in the US, for instance, that started in the mid-1800s and ended when the 18th Amendment to the Constitution established Prohibition. The period before the ban on alcohol saw the development of many classic cocktails that are still enjoyed today. In addition to this history, courses will often cover the production process of major spirits like gin, tequila, vodka, whiskey, brandy, and rum. Knowing how different spirits are produced, flavored, and aged allows learners to gain a better understanding of how spirits or liquors develop their distinct tastes and flavor profiles.

Mixology classes will also help learners strengthen their communication skills. It is important for bartenders and mixologists, especially, to know how to describe the taste and feel of different components of a cocktail. A class will often teach specific cocktail terminology that one can use to communicate with colleagues as well as customers or that can be used just to impress friends. Additionally, communication skills will help mixologists and bartenders interpret what their customers are looking for in a cocktail. It is not always the case that a customer knows the specific name of a cocktail, instead, some people will just describe components or even flavors, and mixology classes will provide practice in interpreting some of these vague descriptors.

Learners in a mixology class can also expect to employ their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. While mixology is a learnable craft and there can be exacting ratios to memorize, most mixologists and bartenders enjoy creating new cocktails and experimenting with new flavors. Similarly, most mixology classes will guide learners in crafting custom cocktails so that they can start to practice this skill of iterating on standard cocktail flavors. Not only is there this important creative component to mixology, but one needs to employ problem-solving skills to balance a cocktail or sometimes even fix an unbalanced drink. It can take time and effort to develop delicious original cocktails but taking a mixology class will get one started down this path whether you are pursuing a career in mixology or just looking to pick up a new hobby.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Mixology?

Someone can learn the basics of mixology in as little as a couple of hours. This beginner-level knowledge includes learning how to use common bar tools and common ratios for making popular cocktails. This means that those learning bartending as a hobby can get started creating their own cocktails at home right away after just one short class. Someone pursuing a career in mixology should expect that it will take multiple months and up to a year to become proficient in making and serving cocktails, which can include receiving on-the-job training for specific roles at certain establishments. It can take additional time to receive a food handler card or any other food preparation certifications which are often required for those working professionally in bars and restaurants.

It can take multiple years to gain enough experience and knowledge to master craft cocktail preparation, especially for those pursuing a career in mixology. Some of this is due to the level of training and memorization necessary, as professional bartenders and mixologists need to know the ingredients and ratios necessary to mix well-liked, oft-ordered cocktails as well as more obscure cocktails that connoisseurs seek out. Master mixologists also frequently experiment to create their own spin or take on popular cocktails and it can take time to develop one’s sense of flavor combinations enough to be able to create a cocktail of one’s own.

What are the Advantages of Taking a Mixology Class?

One of the main advantages of taking a mixology class is that it allows someone to receive training and hands-on guidance from an expert mixologist or bartender. These professionals can train learners about the most common tools and techniques that are needed when crafting cocktails. Professional mixologists will also have the most up-to-date knowledge about popular cocktails to know and techniques to learn. Learners will also benefit from professional training as instructors will be able to explain the theory and history behind specific methods of mixing, serving, garnishing, or decorating cocktails. Someone learning mixology will want to know why aspiration is important when using fruit peels as a garnish, for instance, or the science behind using different kinds of ice depending on the cocktail.

Hands-on training in a mixology class also allows learners to ask their own questions and receive individualized feedback on their skills. Experimentation on one’s own is a great way to start learning mixology, but it won’t always give someone a good sense of their own skills or what they should be learning and working to improve. As most mixologists and bartenders will want to develop their own original cocktails or at least learn how to create a balanced drink using the ingredients on hand, it is useful to receive feedback from professionals on one’s creations. Many mixologists and bartenders test out their creations on friends, loved ones, and even customers, but some of these people might not be the best judges of whether a cocktail is balanced or refined enough to make in certain situations.

Learning mixology in-person or live online also has the added benefit of allowing learners to network with others and get a sense of what being a professional bartender or mixologist will entail. For those who have never worked in the service industry, a mixology class can help acclimate them to the types of jobs and roles they can expect to encounter in the workforce. Some mixology classes will even have built-in career services that provide students with assistance navigating the job market and locating viable career opportunities. Overall, whether one is taking a mixology class to start a hobby or a career, a mixology class should provide a fun, communal environment where others can share their experiences, taste interesting cocktails, and create bonds that move beyond the classroom and into the world outside.

Best Mixology Classes in All Areas

One can find many interesting mixology classes in Chicago, such as the Discovery Center’s Essential Mixology Bartending course. The Discovery Center provides in-person and online adult education classes that can jumpstart someone’s career or provide a way for someone to explore a new hobby or interest. This 4-hour class is suitable for beginners and will provide detailed instruction on how to craft your own cocktails. Participants should expect to learn the basics of mixology in this course including bartending techniques, how to use bar tools, and detailed recipes for mixing different types of cocktails. Additionally, learners will be taught how to garnish cocktails properly and learn preparation techniques for mixing, shaking, and blending cocktails. In addition to the cost of this course, instructors will collect a materials fee at the start of the class.

Another well-reviewed class based in Chicago is A-List Startenders’ 3-Hour Essential Mixology Class. A-List Startenders is a Chicago-based bartending school that aims to train future bartenders and mixologists in modern and classic techniques. No experience is necessary for their essential mixology class which provides an overview of mixology that is both beginner-friendly and enjoyable to those who have experience mixing and serving cocktails. Participants can expect to learn essential skills and techniques so that they can create popular cocktails and develop their own cocktails using fresh fruit, herbs, and other flavors. Reviewers have found this class informative and noted that it provides hands-on training as participants will learn to mix cocktails in a realistic bar environment.

For those looking to become certified bartenders in New York City, the American Bartenders School offers a full-day 40-Hour Full Certification Bartender Course and a half-day 40-Hour Full Certification Bartender Course, both taught in person at their facilities. This comprehensive course covers everything from the history of alcohol production to how to set up and equip a wet bar. While participants should expect to learn and gain valuable practice in mixing and serving a variety of classic and contemporary cocktails, this course will also impart detailed knowledge on wine and craft beer, NYC liquor laws, how to clean one’s station, and how to interact with customers to increase sales and tips. Another benefit of this course is that participants will receive career support. The American Bartenders School offers career services including advice on constructing a resume and succeeding at job interviews and will also provide access to their job board as well as lifetime access to their facilities for those who want to continue practicing their skills.

Another highly-rated class is CocuSocial Cooking Classes’ Shaken Up: Mixology Basics, a two-hour class offered in person in New York City. CocuSocial is a learning platform that offers many food and drink-related classes. During this basics class, a professional mixologist will instruct students on how to use common bar tools, choose the right glassware, stock one’s home bar, and prepare garnishes for different kinds of cocktails. There will also be opportunities to learn how to craft multiple classic cocktails and to improvise and develop a cocktail of one’s own. Former participants found the class to be fun and the instructor to be informative and engaging. Students in the class will socialize and work together in groups of two to four to create cocktails, so this class is a great way to learn cocktail fundamentals and meet new people or enjoy a couple of hours with friends.

J. Bespoke’s Craft Cocktail Making @ Upscale Speakeasy is another great option for beginners looking for in-person classes in New York City. This hands-on class provides students with expert instruction in using bar tools, selecting the right cocktail ingredients, and preparing and serving cocktails. Participants will have the choice to make two cocktails during the class and there will be the option to create mocktails, for those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks. The cocktails one can make during the class include classic options such as the Manhattan as well as new takes on old standards like the Oaxacan Old Fashioned and the Cold Brew Negroni. Participants will receive a complete bar tool kit as part of this class which will allow them to continue building upon their mixology skills at home.

If you are located in Los Angeles, consider learning to Make Cocktails Like an Expert in this one-hour class offered by TalkTales Entertainment. TalkTales Entertainment is a company that offers curated, expert instruction in the art and history of mixology. Their cocktail-making class is suitable for beginners and hobbyists and aims to teach participants how to use common bar tools and cocktail terminology. Participants in this class will have the chance to try two classic cocktails and create an original cocktail of their own. This class is all-inclusive, though they suggest that participants eat beforehand to minimize the effects of alcohol on an empty stomach. Not only do they offer classes around the country, like this one, but TalkTales Entertainment bartenders can be hired for events and events can be customized to specific themes.

Live Online Mixology Classes

The San Francisco Wine School offers its three-hour Spirits course online for those interested in remote learning. This class is suitable for beginners or those with an intermediate level of knowledge of spirits, as it aims to cover fundamentals about spirit production, tasting, and bartending. Participants can expect to learn how many of the major spirits are produced, what the global standards are for spirits, and learn about what tools, terminology, and mindset are necessary to be a successful bartender. This interactive class will also guide students through tasting samples of brown spirits so that participants can determine which factors such as ingredients, origin, production, or aging method most impact a spirit’s flavor and taste. All participants will receive two practice wines and those taking the Somm Essentials tasting exam can utilize these wines to prepare. This course is part of the Somm Essentials certification program but someone does not need to be in this program to enroll in or enjoy this course.

Someone looking for a fun, engaging class for beginners will be interested in J. Bespoke’s online one-hour Learn Cocktail Making class. J. Bespoke is an upscale speakeasy cocktail lounge in New York City that one can visit by entering through an unmarked door at the back of a bespoke suit shop. J. Bespoke offers in-person cocktail mixing classes in NYC and virtual classes that can be accessed from any location. Participants can expect to learn the basics of mixology from expert bartenders who will guide them through mixing and serving two cocktails of their choice. Cocktail options include classics such as a Bourbon Old Fashioned as well as spins on traditional cocktails like an Icelandic Mule or a Cold Brew Negroni. Included in the price of this course is a complete cocktail kit that will be mailed to participants and has all of the tools and drink ingredients they will need to craft their cocktails. Mocktail options are also available and participants will need to supply their own fruit, depending on which cocktails or mocktails they choose to make.

Those interested in a career in mixology, bartending, or other hospitality roles can also consider taking the WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits. The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) is an international training program for those looking to work in the hospitality industry, as sommeliers, for instance, and others just starting out or already working in alcohol production or distribution. Students can expect to learn such things as how major spirits, like rum, vodka, and brandy are produced, how the production process determines flavor characteristics, and how spirit labeling functions. Participants in this class will also leave with the knowledge of which ingredients to use to make cocktails and how to identify and use common bar tools. This is a self-paced class meaning that students will get access to six hours of course material and can move through it at their own speed over four weeks. This class ends in a multiple choice exam and students can follow this class with the WSET Level 2 and 3 courses and exams for further professional certification.

The Good Food Project’s highly-rated class Make Bloody Marys and Guacamole is another option one can pursue. The Good Food Project is an educational provider with a variety of classes that teach people how to cook using real ingredients and proven techniques. This is an especially good class for beginners who want to get started learning about mixology or are looking for a fun, quick mixology-related class to enroll in. This 90-minute class will teach participants how to make a customizable Bloody Mary and flavorful guacamole from scratch using simple, easy-to-find ingredients. Learners will receive expert instruction in building a Bloody Mary bar so that they can mix, pour, and garnish this classic cocktail to their liking and will even be able to make a mocktail version using zero-proof alcohol if that is preferred. Those enrolled in this class will receive a list of ingredients they will need for making guacamole and Bloody Marys, which includes optional cocktail garnishes.

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Learn More About Mixology Courses

What is Mixology?

Why Learn Mixology?

What You’ll Learn in a Mixology Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn Mixology?

What are the Advantages of Taking a Mixology Class?

Best Mixology Classes in All Areas

Live Online Mixology Classes

Mixology Courses by School

Tipsy Scoop Brooklyn

Ice Cream Cocktail Mixology

Discovery Center

Essential Mixology Bartending

CocuSocial Cooking Classes

Classic and Creative Cocktails

Mixology 101: The Art of the Cocktail

TalkTales Entertainment

Make Cocktails Like an Expert! Mixology Weekly

Liquid Lab NYC

Mixology

J. Bespoke

Craft Cocktail Making @ Upscale Speakeasy

Mixology Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

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Mixology
Corporate & Onsite Training