Offering Both In-Person and Virtual
Mixology Classes
Make Better Cocktails at Home
In these FUN, interactive, and highly informative 1½ - 2 hour classes you get to tap into Josh's 15+ years of experience and learn to create better cocktails at home, every time! You'll first explore two classic cocktails, either "seemingly familiar" or less-familiar, using them as examples to the bigger picture: understanding cocktail structure so that when you leave the class you can create endless, customized cocktails at home. The third cocktail you'll make is an opportunity to employ the techniques learned in the class to create your own balanced custom cocktail. Josh trains bartenders professionally and now he gets a chance to teach you!
Scroll down to see the list of classes and reach out to schedule!
In-Person Classes
Kick back and relax. Let Josh prep everything and bring the party to you.
In-Person Classes are available within the Los Angeles area and take the interaction to the next level! Here, you'll be able to create cocktails directly with the founder of Ice & Alchemy to really fine-tune your cocktail balance and technique. These are perfect for get-togethers with friends and family, as well as corporate team building!
Virtual Classes
After teaching over 8,000 people virtually during 2020 - 2021, these have proven to be the perfect way for friends and families to connect from different cities/states and businesses to host remote team building events.
After the class, Josh will exit the Zoom meeting room so that your group can sip on drinks while while catching up with each other.
Discounts available for larger groups!
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
Is a Minimum or Maximum Amount of People that can Attend a Class?
In-Person Classes: 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!