The best mixology, cocktail making and tasting classes in NYC

Kings County Distillery is one of New York’s oldest and most storied whiskey distilleries and, if you are interested in learning more about the process of distilling and want to sample some whiskey, consider attending one of their regular tours. In this experience, you’ll be guided through the distilling rooms and you’ll learn the history of whiskey making, the process of mash and fermentation, and the subtle ways in which distillers create the unique flavors of their whiskeys. At the end of the tour, you’ll sample a collection of King County’s signature products, including moonshine, straight bourbon, peated bourbon, and chocolate. By the end of the tour, you’ll understand what makes these spirits unique and you’ll have a better sense of your personal whiskey preferences.

More interested in the whiskey than the process of making it? Consider this whiskey tasting class, where you will learn to sample, judge, and critique whiskey like a professional. In this course, you’ll learn about the history of whiskey production and you’ll learn how differences in the process create different kinds of whiskey (for example, what is the difference between bourbon, straight bourbon, and rye). Then, you’ll get to sample a flight of whiskeys to learn how to create tasting notes and discover your preference for craft whiskey. These courses can include everything from explorations of different American whiskeys to sampling the various whiskies produced around the world.

Journey south of the border in this guided tequila and mezcal tasting course. Distilled from agave and a collection of other native plants, Tequila is the spirit of Mexico and there is a reason that it has become so popular stateside. In this class, you’ll learn about the history of agave distillation (which began in the late 1500s), modern practices and the difference between a tequila, a mezcal and other agave spirits and you’ll get to sample a collection of different spirits to learn how growing practices, distillation processes and added botanicals and flavors subtly change the way the mezcal tastes. If you are looking to expand your spirit tasting experiences, this course is a great way to learn about agave.

Wine tasting can be more of an art than a science, but it is also a skill that you can learn (or you can pretend to learn while sipping on some excellent local and international wines). In this guided wine tasting introduction, you’ll learn to think like a sommelier as you sample a collection of different wines to develop a nose and palate for the subtle differences between varietals. You’ll learn how different grapes are used to ferment different wines (like what really is the difference between a chardonnay and a pinot noir), how different climates impact wine production (like is a french wine really that different from an Italian wine) and how wine culture has developed (like why it is only really champagne if it is from the Champagne region of France, otherwise, it's just a sparkling white wine).

Wine and Cheese are often looked upon as a sophisticated pairing that signals that an event is aiming to be high class. Murray’s Cheese offers a range of different classes and experiences aimed at helping you better understand the subtle art of pairing wine and cheese and why the two have become so connected. Whether you are enrolling in a class that explores common pairings, regional pairings (such as a course looking at French wines and cheeses or Mediterranean wine and cheese) or the history of wine pairings, you are sure to learn a great deal about what makes artisanal wine and cheese so popular and what vintners and farmers do to ensure the highest quality of their products. Beyond learning how to better host events, you’ll also get to sample collections of wine and cheese that you would otherwise likely not be exposed to.

Shake up your social life or add some flair to your gatherings when you treat a friend (or yourself) to the ultimate gift of mixology mastery with a fun-filled gift card. Explore the world of cocktails with a variety of beginner-friendly courses, specialty classes, and even date night experiences in the heart of NYC. From learning the basics of bartending to mastering the art of crafting signature drinks, mixology courses offer something for everyone. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a total novice, experienced instructors will guide you through the process with fun and flair. Purchase a gift card today and toast to unforgettable experiences and delicious libations.

Teach your team the art of bartending in this hands-on mixology experience. Learn the history of cocktails, the difference between a cocktail and a mixed drink, and why the same techniques developed in the 1880s are still in use by professional bartenders today. You and your team will make a total of six different cocktails, three classics, and three modifications on classics, giving everyone a taste of where cocktails have been and where they are going in the future. This course offers a lot of opportunities for participants to customize the drinks to their tastes and preferences and everyone will leave the course with a better understanding of what goes into making a perfectly balanced cocktail.

One of the best parts about learning mixology is that there are so many different routes you can take, even as a complete novice. You may want to learn how to make classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan or you might want to learn how to make modern favorites like Paper Planes and Espresso Martinis. Similarly, you can focus on a single spirit, since working with rum is a whole different ball game from working with gin. Regardless of what you are interested in, you can find and customize a group mixology event to fit your desired menu.

Looking to host a work event, team-building mixer, or just reward your employees for a job well done? Consider signing up for an in-person wine-tasting event and give your team a chance to mix, mingle, and enjoy some wine as they learn about the history and science of wine production. Guided by a professional sommelier, your team will get to sample six wines of various national origins and styles and they’ll learn about what makes each wine distinct and what about the growing process that produces those distinctions. Additionally, they will learn how to judge wine if they wish to go on tasting events in the future (New York state has a lot of great wine regions to visit). This is a great way to celebrate with your team and give them an experience they won’t soon forget.

If you want to add a bit of class and sophistication to an exciting group wine-tasting event, consider this group wine and cheese workshop. In this guided tasting event, your team will discover the secrets to crafting a perfect wine and cheese pairing and they’ll get to experience the refined atmosphere of one such sophisticated event. Two high-quality wines and two artisanal cheeses will be selected for the event and you’ll be able to customize the event to meet the tastes and expectations of your team members. A professional will guide your participants through the selection process that goes into creating a wine and cheese pairing and will explain exactly how different styles of wine and cheese are produced (and what makes them unique). This is a rewarding experience and, if you are looking to celebrate with your team while still learning something new and interesting, something you should consider.

While it may seem like a niche hobby for people who like rye whiskey or expensive bourbon, learning the basics of mixology can be useful for anyone interested in hosting parties or just impressing friends while providing them with libations. Even if you only learn to make a few cocktails at first, the skills you learn are easy to build upon, and you’ll quickly discover that you can start experimenting with more complex cocktails. Plus, if you find that you enjoy artisanal cocktails, in the long run, learning how to make your own cocktails will save you money compared to going to bars and paying $19 for a Manhattan.

While you can learn mixology independently, the trial-and-error process can get pretty expensive for new mixologists. The Cointreau and Citron Vodka that go into your first Cosmopolitan can be as expensive as taking a class, so enrolling in a class means you don’t need to start building your home bar to experiment with new cocktails. You can also alleviate some of the costs of learning mixology by enrolling in a class that provides you with the tools you’ll need. Not many people just have Hawthorne strainers, jiggers, or shakers lying around, and many classes will let you keep the essential tools once you have finished the class.

When looking at mixology courses, you’ll find that the major difference between them is what cocktails they use as the baseline for learning the art of crafting artisanal drinks. While almost all of these courses cover classic cocktails, the first few cocktails you make can greatly impact what you take away from the class. Thus, you should consider what kinds of cocktails you’ve had and what you’ve enjoyed. If you order vodka martinis at restaurants, choosing a course that teaches you how to make a perfect martini might be a good idea. On the other hand, if you’ve never been more adventurous than ordering a Jack and Coke, you may want to look at a course that covers a wider range of flavor profiles and spirits, like the Classic Cocktails course offered at CocuSocial.

Similarly, you should consider what kind of skills you are looking to pick up and how comfortable you think you’ll be with the basics of mixology. While making an absolutely perfect whiskey old-fashioned can be challenging, most people can be comfortable with their ability to add sugar and bitters to a double shot of whiskey. This means that you may want to look for a class that teaches you to make the kind of drinks that require a more elaborate set-up or tools to have help from an instructor or get access to more expensive spirits, such as The Cabinet Mezcal Bar’s Margarita Mixology course. On the other hand, if you don’t see yourself making smoke-infused negronis at home particularly often, it isn’t really all that beneficial to learn how to use a smoke infuser.