Offering Both In-Person and Virtual
Mixology Classes
Make Better Cocktails at Home
These FUN and INTERACTIVE classes are perfect for friends, families, work colleagues and social clubs to get together and learn the same skills used by professionals to create balanced, customized cocktails for any occasion! These classes were launched virtually in April 2020 as a way for people to connect during Covid. More than 8,000 people globally learned to make better drinks at home via these classes between 2020 and 2022!
Since the world reopened, these classes are offered in-person in the LA area in the comfort of your home, office, AirBnB, or whatever location is available to you! Alternatively, your class can take place in an event space provided Ice & Alchemy*. These classes run about 2 hours long where you'll make three drinks including your own custom creation using any or all of the tips and tricks you learn throughout class! (Shorter classes available upon request.)
Continue reading to see what sets these classes apart from other classes you might find, the available classes, what people are saying, and FAQs.
See you in class!
*An additional fee is required for booking an event space
The Instructor
Josh is a seasoned industry professional who trains, leads, and develops bartenders while creating custom, engaging menus for guests to sip on at several venues across multiple states.
The Format
In many cooking and cocktail classes, participants are led through a monkey-see-monkey-do presentation of how to make a narrow selection of specific recipes. Josh was the first person to create classes that focus on the techniques and theories used by professionals to create custom cocktails so that you too can learn to create custom, balanced drinks for any unique occasion. In each class you'll get to make your own custom drink using any or all of the tips and tricks you learn throughout class!
The Bonus Materials
For those who want to really up their cocktail-making game, you’ll get access to Ice & Alchemy’s bar technique training videos as well as a Bonus PDF with pages of useful recipes, ingredients, and information to help you explore the endless possibilities of crafting the perfect drink every time.
Holiday Are Here!
Cocktail Class
It's time to wrap up the year and have some fun! In this class you'll learn how to make two festive cocktails: a Pumpkin Spice Sour and a Cranberry - Rosemary Cooler! These two crowed-pleaser recipes will not only wow your guests at your next holiday party but also provide you with a easy formula to customize these drinks in any direction!. Both recipes have been created specifically so that ANY spirit will work deliciously in them! Let's get our Holiday Cheer going!
Pre-prohibition
Cocktail Class
Learn two of the most iconic cocktail structures of all time, both featured in the first cocktail book ever printed back in 1862: The Tom Collins and Old Fashioned. As we mix, sip, deconstruct and reconstruct, you'll see why time and time bartenders all over the world return to these recipes for inspiration and proportions. Once you understand the language of these two very different cocktail structures, you'll be able to customize them in countless ways at home to any flavor profile or dinner theme.
Post-prohibition
Cocktail Class
Prohibition, followed by WWII, decimated a thriving bar culture in the United States. Then in the 1940's, the Moscow Mule and Margarita hit the scene and have been staples ever since. We'll explore why these two cocktails have stood the test of time and how we can adapt them to modern palates, adjust their components and also discuss how to make a TRULY "Skinny Margarita".
Whiskey Cocktail Class 1
In this class we explore America's spirit, bourbon, while mixing and sipping two very different cocktails: the Mint Julep and the Whiskey Sour! We discuss the various techniques involved making these two drinks ("It's just muddling, how tough can it be?") and also look at the polarizing topic of using egg whites in cocktails and how to incorporate them properly in any sour variation you want! (Don't worry, using egg white is optional in this class!)
Gin Cocktail Class 1
Ah, gin. So delicious and so often misunderstood. Did you know that there are different styles of gin? Most of us are familiar with the London Dry Style (Tanqueray, Beefeater, etc.) but there is so much more and each of them has it's own voice! Here, we chat about magic cocktail proportions, what to expect from the different styles of gin, and how you might want to use them at your house. We explore the endless versatility of the Bee's Knees and the ultra-refreshing Eastside while using both Old Tom gin and another gin of your choice!
Caribbean/Tiki
Cocktail Class 1
Let's travel to the Caribbean together where the r(h)um and how it is consumed is as unique as each island and town. These tropical drinks have been adulterated over the years to be overly sweetened using high-fructose corn syrup, blenders, and even artificial colors. That's not what these drinks were originally about! Caribbean and Tiki cocktails, when prepared correctly, are an immediate escape to nostalgic beaches and warm daydreams. Here, we're going to island-hop from Cuba (the Daiquiri) to Jamaica (Jamaican Rum Punch) to explore how these two cocktails and styles of rum are so different! Ready to set sail?
Caribbean/Tiki
Cocktail Class 2
So many more port towns, islands, and r(h)ums to explore! On this journey we start in Martinique to try French rhum agricole and sip the alluring Ti' Punch before jetting down to Trinidad to master the balance of a Queen's Park Swizzle. These two entirely different cocktail recipes and spirits illustrate two very different ends of the flavor profile spectrum and broaden your horizons to what r(h)um cocktails should taste like!
Brunch Cocktail Class
Forget breakfast, brunch is the most important meal! What better way to gather and set the tone for a long relaxing day of living life on your terms? In this class, we cover just two of of my favorite brunch cocktails: the French 75 and the Agua de Valencia. These two drinks are a refreshing break from the usual brunch go-to cocktails and allow a lot of opportunity to personalize your drink!
Agave Cocktail Class 1
Let's explore the wonderful world of agave by taking a look at tequila and mezcal! I get A LOT of questions about these so here's a class where we can learn and taste what differentiates these beautiful Mexican spirits. We'll be looking at two sunny-weather cocktails to cool you off as the weather gets warmer: the Paloma and Mexican Firing Squad! As always, you'll learn how to best customize these awesome cocktails to your preferred balance and flavors!
What People are Saying
These cocktail classes are an absolute BLAST! Josh is high energy, fun, engaging, and knowledgable. He’s part bartender, part wizard. I have never in my life enjoyed a Mint Julep, but I sure as heck loved the one he taught us to make.
Remember, too, the magic of the virtual this is that people can join from anywhere. Get your friends and family who are scattered about the country, heck…the world even…together to mix up drinks, experiment with ingredients, learn stuff, bond, and have a great time. Just remember to hydrate!
- Diane, returning client
Ideal for: Creative drinkers, home bartenders, teams of 6 members and up
Ice & Alchemy offers engaging 90-minute virtual alcohol tasting ideas for remote teams. A master mixologist with over 15 years of cocktail experience leads the tastings. First, participants learn the structure of mixed drinks by creating two familiar beverages using spirits such as vodka and whiskey. Then, attendees use their new skills to craft a custom cocktail of their creation. Public classes are offered on a limited schedule at a reduced rate, while private classes for groups of six or more can choose their schedule for a slightly higher rate per attendee. You can also opt for a shorter session as an add-in to your own larger virtual team event, such as a holiday party, meeting, or special celebration.
Common Mixology Class Questions
Can I have a customized class with cocktails not listed above?
Customized classes are available based on Josh's current work load at an additional rate due to the extra planning and coordinating required. Ask and he will try to accommodate!
How often does the list of classes change?
Josh does his best to rotate 2 - 3 new classes into the list each year.
Is a Minimum or Maximum Amount of People that can Attend a Class?
In-Person Classes: There is a minimum of four people per group. Ice & Alchemy will provide up to 25 cocktail stations for your group. These can accommodate up to 50 if sharing workstations.
Virtual Private classes have a minimum of six people and have no limit to the number of people that you can invite.
I'm Planning an Event for my Office and/or Clients. Can We Have a Shorter Class to Plug into Our Larger Event?
Shorter classes (45 minutes - 1 hour) are available.
Does Ice & Alchemy Provide Non-Alcoholic Options
Yes, each class provides non-alcoholic options! In fact, these options allow you to participate in exact same techniques used in their boozy counterparts so you won't feel like you're simply mixing juices at the "kid's table".
Some People in my Group are in Different Time Zones/Countries. Can We Find a Class Time That Accommodates Us All?
Usually, yes! I've had people join from Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Israel, India, New Zealand and more!
Does Ice & Alchemy Supply Kits or Ingredients?
For In-Person Classes, Ice & Alchemy provides everything needed for class and up to 25 bar stations. Guests are incouraged to bring a fun piece of glassware and/or an "x-factor" ingredient to customize their final drink with.
For Virtual Classes, Ice and Alchemy does not supply kits or ingredients at this time. Instead, I provide an illustrated PDF with recommendations and links to spirit brands and bar tools so that you can invest in your home bar at the level that best suits you. These classes and their corresponding cocktails are meant to be flexible so that you maximize your cocktail creation options at home!
Can Anyone Under 21 Years Old Participate?
Sorry, no. I have nothing against the youth, but bar tops are safe havens for adults to get together and be adults!