Just a lil’ neighborhood pub (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
Have you ever wanted to be the teacher’s pet? Now’s your chance! Grab a desk in the front row and get educated about libations, cocktails and spirits.
No matter how you say it, we’re buying into the art and creativity behind these boozey concoctions and School House Pub is handing out the grades. You may not receive a paper certificate or a gold star, but you will get a 101 style education about some of the cocktail worlds most recognizable trends, classic techniques and the history behind recipes, plus fun tasting sessions.
“Libations 101” is a twelve part educational series hosted on the second Monday of each month at School House Pub (2207 Manor Road). For roughly $10 per month, you can participate in an adult and social learning environment, in the comfort of your neighborhood pub. Libations 101 gives you access to one of Austin’s industry professionals who teaches and answers questions for you and about 25 cocktail curious friends.
A cocktail for every mood – branch out from your comfort zone. (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
“Every drink has so much history, it’s like history in a glass,” noted Darren Makowsky of Republic National during the first class of the series, which took place on January 12th. Our educator also gave the class some of these great take-home tips and recipes:
- HOW TO – make and store homemade mixes such as grenadine, simple syrup and red wine reduction
- TIPS – for tasting, shaking and serving wine infused cocktails
- RECIPES – for Mulled Wine, New York Sour, Red Wine Sangria, Freedom, Bronx
Detention was never this fun! (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
Take my word, if you didn’t start out with friends at the start of a Libations 101 class, you’re sure to walk out chatting and feeling a bit warm and fuzzy!
Hand crafted cocktail at School House Pub (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
Speaking of walking out, Libations 101 sends each student home with a crafty parting gift that’s intended to accrue to an entire home bar kit by the end of the twelve months.
If you missed the January session, don’t worry. You have eleven remaining classes to get on track and begin collecting pieces for your home bar. You can expect to see variety at future 101 classes, including seasonal cocktails, themed classes, features on beer, wine and spirits and more. I heard a school yard rumor that there will be a girls only class on the schedule featuring Sex in the City style martinis. You can keep an eye on the class schedule and see other School House Pub events, specials and their food menu on their website.
Don’t forget to try out some artisanal pub grub before heading home. School House Pub cooks up an unexpectedly strong menu of savory appetizers and entrees that make culinary graduates and owners Edgar and Christina Torres proud.
A crispy fried egg, deviled and topped with chorizo (Credit: Nicolai McCray)
You can also find daily happy hour deals that will satisfy just about everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing you and other proud members of the soon to be graduating class of School House Pub 2015 – Libations 101 in the upcoming months.
@CrisMueller wants to know:
What topic would you like the next Libations 101 session to cover?
