Be at One Cocktail Making

A great cocktail can elevate a night out or get the party started, but you need to make sure you mix it right! Learn how to master your mixing skills and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a cocktail expert.

To begin with, you’ll need a good bar spoon for mixing. It should offer comfort, the proper weight and an efficient design to mix ingredients quickly.

Training

For those looking to take their cocktail-making skills to the next level, be at one offers an intensive training program. This fully paid course gives trainees the opportunity to learn a skill that can’t be learned on the job and that will stay with them for a lifetime.

The first part of the training program covers basic bartending techniques such as how to use tools, mixing drinks with different ingredients and serving customers. It also teaches how to work with spirits and mixers.

As you progress through the program, you’ll learn to make more complicated cocktails such as a nitro cold brew martini or a coconut washed Campari cocktail. You’ll also learn how to taste cocktails to get a sense of flavor profiles and choose the best combination for your tastes.

You can find more in-depth classes from be at one on its website and its app, and the company regularly updates its recipe library so you’ll always have new options to try. For example, it has a dilution-focused class that’s perfect for the beginner, and an advanced one focusing on pressure infusions and clarification.

In addition to offering a variety of classes, be at one also has an extensive online store filled with barware and accessories. You can purchase items from a range of brands, including J. Bespoke, which sends you all the bar tools and supplies you need to make a variety of cocktails.

Another popular option is the online platform BarSmarts, which offers a wide selection of content to help you learn about the cocktail business at your own pace. Its user-friendly platform provides progress reports and achievement badges to track your progression.

There’s also a comprehensive certification program that offers a step-by-step approach to learning the basics of bartending. The process includes a series of courses and an exam that tests your knowledge of drink ingredients, dilution, and more.

If you’re a bit more advanced, you can enroll in a MasterClass subscription or a single class from Death & Co. These memberships cost around $15 a month, and the site includes a range of topics across all subjects. There’s even a course on the drinks family tree, which helps you understand the composition of a cocktail.

Competitions

Competitions are a great way to test your bartending skills and develop your knowledge of the industry. You can win a high-value cash prize, and you’ll also gain valuable experience that can help you enhance your bar’s overall performance and brand image.

There are many different types of cocktail competitions, from global events like the World Class Championship to regional & national competitions. Regardless of which type of cocktail competition you’re entering, it’s important to understand the specific rules and guidelines associated with each one. This will ensure you prepare your drinks correctly and adhere to the brand’s requirements, which may vary from competition to competition.

For example, if the drink you’re making has to be made with a specific spirit brand as the sponsoring ingredient, you should learn how to incorporate that brand in a meaningful way into your cocktail. It might be as simple as using a unique garnish or creating a creative presentation format to highlight the sponsor’s ingredient.

The key to winning a cocktail competition is to create a unique and memorable drink. This means taking the time to think outside of the box and experimenting with your ingredients and preparation. You can do this by trying out new recipes and trying to develop your own personal style of mixing.

You should also spend some time in developing your drink so that you are confident it will taste fantastic. It is worth it to get feedback from peers or even family and friends before submitting your recipe, so you can see if there is anything that needs to be changed before the big day.

Some competitions have strict guidelines regarding how many ingredients you can use and how much of a particular spirit you can use, so it’s worth knowing these ahead of time. You can even use this opportunity to try out some new or unusual ingredients that you might not be able to access at your local bar.

It’s always worth preparing a pitcher of your cocktails before the competition so that you can serve them to guests after each presentation. This will make it easier to pour out a portion of each cocktail and allow everyone to sample it.

Drinks

In creating a new cocktail menu for your bar or restaurant, there are several considerations you need to make. For example, what type of drinks will appeal to your target audience? Then, what ingredients are the most popular? It’s also important to keep in mind what will be most efficient for you. This can mean setting up your mise en place so that you can measure, pour and garnish all in one go, or it can mean batching certain cocktails.

Another important factor to consider is the name of the drink, which can have a big impact on how it is perceived by your customers. There are many different ways to name a drink, including combining the name of an ingredient with its function (for instance, if it’s a sweetener, using the word “sugar” is a good way to make your gin and tonic stand out from the crowd). The most impressive drink name might be the most complex, or it might be a small detail like putting a piece of citrus fruit in the glass.

Venues

Whether it’s for an intimate gathering or a large party, be at one cocktail making offers a range of locations for your event. From swanky rooftop bars to chic artist’s lofts, find the perfect space for your next party.

If you’re looking for a fun hen night idea or a unique team building activity for your company, cocktail making could be the answer. Having an expert talk you through the art of cocktail making in a private setting will give your guests a unique experience they won’t forget in a hurry. You can join public classes if you want to learn alongside others, or choose a private class for a more exclusive cocktail party.

Be At One on Russell Street is one of London’s best cocktail bars, and has a fantastic happy hour from 4.30pm to the early hours of the morning, making it the ideal place for a drinks hen party or office get-together. Their talented bartenders are always friendly and upbeat, ready to help you select the perfect drink. They offer a ‘Classic Cocktail Masterclass’, a ‘Cocktail Masterclass with Bellinis’ and a ‘Cocktail Masterclass & Bites’ so there’s something to suit every budget.