If you've ever dreamed of outfitting your own personal bar at home, Intoxicology in St. Louis is…read morethe place to go!
I mean, this store seems to have everything imaginable. Cocktail glasses, shakers, strainers, jiggers, muddlers, ice tools, and just about every other gadget you never knew you needed. Add an impressive selection of spirits, liqueurs, mixers, syrups and bitters, and you've got a cocktail enthusiast's playground.
But we came specifically for their mixology class, and what a great experience!
Rather than simply teaching us how to make three cocktails, Andy and Melissa, the owners, introduced us to a basic framework for building drinks. It's a formula that serves as the foundation for countless cocktails you'll find in restaurants and bars.
They provided all the ingredients, recipes, plenty of helpful tips and, most importantly, the encouragement to experiment. We weren't just following instructions. We were learning why certain ingredients work together and how changing the proportions or flavors can create an entirely different cocktail.
With only three of us participating and two knowledgeable instructors guiding us, the experience was incredibly personal, relaxed and a whole lot of fun. There was plenty of opportunity to ask questions, try something different and, of course, enjoy our creations.
Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or someone who simply wants to step up their home bartending game, I can't recommend this experience enough.
Five stars for a terrific concept, knowledgeable owners and a mixology class that's as entertaining as it is educational. Cheers!