I’ve only recently stopped being stressed out every time I’m asked to prepare my signature dish.
Not because I don’t know how to cook but because I don’t have a signature dish – I just cook things and hope they turn out palatable for others.
I’m yet to disappoint, but now the anxiety is creeping back into my life because I’m being asked about another signature something. (Featured image: @helenayankovska)
This time, ‘What’s your signature drink?’ I asked my sister when this became a thing, and she answered she makes a mean mojito.
If signature somethings are meant to do anything, they’re to impress. I’ve had to say goodbye to the days of just throwing fruit, red wine and liquor into a jug and calling it Sangria. Also, serving whisky straight has led to some level of disappointment with the effort I’ve (not) put in.
So if you’re anything like me, why not take a cocktail masterclass and make sure that hands down your signature drink knocks the socks off everyone you’re with.
1. Mecca Bah, Newstead
A pilgrimage to Mecca Bah in Brisbane is a journey to the Middle East and the shores of the Mediterranean where the contrasting light and dark undertones of the interior fixate your sight on the culinary journey you’re about to embark on.
But the food isn’t the only reason to make a trip to Mecca Bah. Their signature cocktails sport some interesting names to match their style. There’s the Marrakesh Kiss, the Beirut Berry, and the Turkish Delight Martini to name a few that you might be able to learn at Mecca Bah’s Cocktail Masterclass where, under the guidance of Mecca Bah’s top mixologist, budding cocktail makers will learn the tools of the trade in this hands-on experience so that they too can mix up the perfect combination of drink for themselves at home.
Included in the experience is a glass of sparkling on arrival, mixed antipasto platters to share, and a main meal per person after the class.
$80pp, minimum of 10 per booking.
Find Mecca Bah at Tenancy 5/6, Ground Level, Gasworks Plaza
2. Dutch Courage, Fortitude Valley
Dutch Courage has been educating the masses on the correct cocktail technique when making their house classics and creations, which have included gin bathtubs to Hendrick’s teapots to cocktails on fire.
Their cocktail masterclass sessions run every month but each is a little different from the one that came before. Since the world of mixology is quite big and ever-expanding, the Dutch Courage crew mixes their sessions up which focus on two specific cocktails each time. After learning the tricks of the trade, you’ll be behind the bar mixing, shaking and pouring your own master cocktail before you know it.
Included in the experience are two cocktails and a house beer, wine or spirit on arrival.
$56.75 includes bf
Find Dutch Courage at 51 Alfred Street
3. Malt Bar, Brisbane
The Cocktail Introduction Course as it is known at Malt Bar is one of our favs because after you’ve begun sipping on your arrival cocktail, and after you’ve been taught the ins and outs of cocktail making, you will be given a set of ingredients to make your own creation which will be judged at the end of the session.
But you’re not just playing for bragging rights because there’s a Malt Dining gift voucher up for grabs.
Included in the experience is a cocktail on arrival, and all the necessary equipment and ingredients to learn how to make two classic Malt Bar cocktails.
$50pp
Find Malt Bar at 28 Market Street
4. Salts Meats Cheeses, Newstead
The Art Of Aperitivo is what Salts Meats Cheeses call their cocktail class. And to be honest, we like the sound of it because we like to wet our whistle in order to whet our appetite.
In their two-hour cocktail sessions, attendees will shake up the classics a little and give three of them the Italian twist: Sicilian Margarita, Italian Cosmo and Tiramisu Martini. Drink up and watch on as you’re also shown how to put together the antipasto grazing platter to end all antipasto grazing platters.
Included in the experience are three cocktails and an antipasto grazing platter.
$79pp
Find Salts, Meats, Cheeses at 3b/63 Skyring Terrace