When you see a mixologist at work, you quickly become aware that it’s about so much more than a drink. It’s an immersive experience, captivating the senses as they pull together a range of unique flavors into a single drink to strike the most perfect balance. It’s a tangible lesson in culture and history as you learn more about how the single ingredients came to be within this context. It’s also a work of art, marrying technique with decoration to create a feast for the eyes.
So, what if you could try being a mixologist for the day? Now you can when you take the “Art of Cocktail” class at one of our luxury vacation rental properties in Costa Rica. We spoke to Papagayo Luxury founder, Jane Moore, about the session and what you can expect from it if you decide to take part.
How does the session run?
Your personal mixologist will start by running you through the ingredients that will be used during the class. Many of them are local, with tropical flavors inspired by the beautiful mangroves, forests and oceans that we have here on our doorstep. From there, they’ll walk you through how to make specific cocktails using unique techniques before you have a go yourself. To top it all off, you’ll get to sample your own creations alongside a selection of delicious appetizers that pair together perfectly.
How many people can take part?
While it can be arranged to have a 1:1 session, it is generally as part of a small group of up to around 5-6 guests. We were a small group of three, and it was a real treat from start to finish.
What types of techniques do you learn?
You’ll learn how to build, stir, shake or layer just like you see the pros do behind the bar – with all the tips and tricks that you can then use to recreate your own drinks at home. It all depends on the type of cocktail that you’re learning to make, but there’s a surprise element to every concoction. One of my favorites was smoking some of the ingredients to give a real earthy element to the cocktail. It really is an art form!
Interested in taking the Art of Cocktail class during your stay? Simply contact our team and our dedicated concierge team will handle all the little details for you, so you can enjoy shaking up a storm behind the bar.
