If your ideas for beer and wine have been exhausted, you might want to turn to the folks at Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery for some tips. Their mixologists have ideas they’re willing to share.
A Mixology Class on Wednesday is already filled, according to Chris Roberts, event coordinator. But not to worry, classes for about 25 are offered quarterly. Plus, private classes can be arranged for groups of friends or even as a team-building exercise, said Kelsey Long, marketing coordinator.
“I think people really like just seeing the different cocktail techniques and seeing that they are possible at home,” Roberts said. “So, something that might look fancy, like smoking a cocktail, once they’re shown how to actually do it, it’s not as scary.”
The man who leads the classes is Chandler Meyer, tasting room manager. Although he speaks like a born mixologist, he said he’s actually pretty new to the activity.
Using books and resources such as “Drink Masters” on Netflix, he has gained both knowledge and more curiosity about how to use Chankaska products to create all sorts of tasty concoctions.
During classes, Meyer creates the drinks while answering any questions participants might have. He follows the same recipe card that each will take home when class is done.
“I follow the recipes. That way if there’s any questions, I say feel free to ask. Stop me at any point,” he said. “And then I talk about the liquor that we’re using.”
While many of the ingredients, including different flavors of simple syrups, can be bought at local stores or online, Meyer also goes through how water and different flavors can be combined to make them yourself. This way, he said, you can adjust amounts to get the flavor you want.
And experimenting with flavors and learning how they work together is half the fun, he said.
Kelli Milbrath from Taylor Corporation has held one private party at Chankaska to welcome a new member to the team. They’re hoping to schedule another in January.
“Chandler was an incredible host,” she said. “We had so much fun. Slapping mint was the funniest part. Learning about the syrups and additives was really informative.”
Emily Schumacher and her boyfriend attended class on date night. “It was so much fun trying out new cocktails that are both delicious and easy to make at home,” she said.
One drink that’s popular for classes to learn about is a New York Sour.
“It was just your typical sour bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, and then we did it with a red wine float on top. It’s a really cool separation on top,” he said. Taking the drink in with your eyes is the first step to experiencing its flavor, he added.
Interestingly, just getting behind the bar and doing the pouring is the most difficult step for people in the classes. Some of it is that they don’t have the proper equipment, such as pours on the bottle and proper measures, at home.
Not to worry. Roberts said they often have a display of equipment at hand for purchase so participants can take what they’ve learned and immediately try it at home. Amazon even has kits that include the smokers and wood varieties so folks can infuse drinks with additional flavors to take them to the next level.
Class size is limited to make sure people get the full experience without feeling rushed, Roberts said. Each time it’s offered, there is an early and a later session, with people being able to make the drink under the watchful eye of the instructor.
People may come into the classes as simply beer or wine drinkers, but exposure to techniques that are easy to duplicate at home lowers their inhibitions and expands their drink menu.
“We’ve had people who were trying cocktails and trying spirits that they might not normally be interested in that, afterwards, they’re like, ‘Oh, I didn’t think I would have liked that but now I’m excited to try this at home or show this off to my friends,” he said.
One of the liquors that get a second look after classes is gin. While people may think of gin has having a tiny juniper berry taste. Chankaska’s gin, however, while having some of that flavor also incorporates other botanicals.
“So that’s been nice to show that off and have that surprise for people,” Roberts said.
Adventurous folks in the class are also natural focus groups for drinks Chankaska is considering for their drink menu. Once exposed to a sense of experimentation, people are more open to new tastes.
Cost for a Mixology Class is $30 per person. For more information, visit www.chankaskawines.com.