I’d challenge anyone who says a great cocktail-shaking, bottle spinning, ice-smashing, crowd-wooing bar tender isn’t one of the coolest things on two legs. And now us cocktail drinking mortals can enter the world of the mixology masters.

Shaker Bar Schools offer courses in London, Birmingham, Cape Town and Johannesburg. A one day course teaches methods of cocktail preparation, from building a drink, stirring, shaking, layering, muddling, straining, smashing…and of course drinking. You’ll learn to make a range of classic and contemporary drinks, including Collins, Sours, Mojitos and Martinis.

Once you’ve mastered the basics you’ll probably want to move on to Shaker’s popular Molecular Mixology Course, the UK’s first course of its type.  Master the techniques used in cutting edge luxury cocktails and make flavoured caviar, light and heavy foams and jellies. And if you want to spin and throw bottles like a pro, the Introduction to Flair Bartending will ensure you’re top of everyone’s party invite list.

If you’re looking for a career change or want to travel the world and advance your cocktail knowledge, Shaker also offers professional career courses.

We spoke to Josh at Shaker to ask why cocktail courses are becoming such big business. ‘Cocktails are becoming more than just a drink, they’re an art form.  It’s not simply a question of throwing lots of spirits into a glass, adding a splash of juice, and necking it! In the same way that Gordon Ramsey is passionate about the food he prepares, this passion has now spread behind the bar – and it’s affecting the customer as well.  Our courses will show you that even by doing simple things like adding a little sugar or using a better quality spirit, you can make some great cocktails at home.’

Learning to make an impressive repertoire of great cocktails and shake them up with style is definitely on our ‘to do’ list. We’ll be at a Shaker Bar School soon. See you there.

Tags: Cocktail classes, Cocktail courses, cocktails, Shaker Bar School