Cocktails demystified...

I was so happy when my friend and neighbor Robert Hess of Drinkboy.com and author of The Essential Bartender's Guide- How to Create Truly Great Cocktails said he would teach a class about cocktails at his home bar. It wasn't difficult to rally a group of students for this class.


Roberts approach to cocktails is all about participation, appreciation and moderation. He teaches from the perspective of cocktails as cuisine, and encourages the gourmet pairing of cocktails with food. Through out the evening we learned cocktail history, tools, techniques, various alcohols and how they are produced, and sampled four different drinks: Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Japanese, and a Pimm's Cup.

The first drink we learned the history and making of is the Cosmopolitan.
1 1/2 ounce citrus vodka
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce cranberry juice
3/4 ounce lime juice

Cosmopolitans all lines up and ready for sampling.

Learning the ingredients to the Japanese. We were amazed at all the various types of bitters.

• 2 ounces brandy
• 1/2 ounce orgeat (almond syrup)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Learning all about the various cocktail glassware. We learned why those huge 12oz V-shaped martini glasses are not so good. We've all been brainwashed to think bigger is better, but they are far too large for a sensible drink. He recommends we hunt through antique stores to fine the old cocktail glasses or champagne coupes (the first and shortest glass in the picture).

Please check out Drinkboy for more details on these and other delicious recipes. He also has several video demonstrations on the Smallscreen network. Here's a sample video where Matt and I learn how to make a Champagne Cocktail.

Cheers!