Located in NoHo, Astor Center is one of New York’s premier destinations for education about spirits, cocktails, and wine. If you’re interested in learning to create a variety of cocktails, check out one of their themed mixology classes, like Mad Men Era Cocktails. In this workshop, students receive two hours of mixology instruction that covers the historical context of cocktails in the Mad Men era. Students will also munch on palate-cleansing bread and cheese as they learn to create classic versions of a Martini, an Old Fashioned, and a Mai Tai. There are other themed classes that cover topics like brunch cocktails, Italian cocktails, and low ABV/alcohol-free versions of classic drinks.
The Astor Center also offers several courses for folks wanting to learn more about a particular spirit. The Tequila and Mezcal Tasting workshop discusses the subtle differences between these two agave-based spirits. Here, students will receive three tasting pours of each spirit, as well as a welcome cocktail and locally made chips and salsa. There are also several wine-tasting workshops that focus on wines from a particular region or made from a specific grape. These courses often include a sample tasting menu, so students will learn how to pair wines with different foods as well.
Workshops at the Astor Center have received largely positive reviews from former participants. The classes are often described as being as informative as they are fun, with many students being surprised at how much there is to learn about spirits and mixology. The instructors are clearly knowledgeable and passionate about their work and can handle almost any query during the Q&A portions at the end of each class. Several students also shared that these classes demystified wine-tasting and cocktail-making for them, making these things feel like an accessible hobby.
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