Classes for the Cocktail and Spirit Lover
Charlotte liquor connoisseurs are sharing their craft
In our craft beer town, it’s easy to feel out of place if you prefer liquor drinks. Here are a few classes, events, and outings for the cocktail or spirit drinker.
Earl’s Grocery Mixology Lab
Learn from one of Charlotte’s best mixologists, Bob Peters (right) of The Punch Room at the Ritz-Carlton, for free. Each month, Peters will use different liquors for a cocktail demonstration at the tables lined up along the windows of Earl's Grocery. The mid-afternoon timing is perfect to head over to Earl’s, grab some lunch, and learn how to make a drink you’d pay $12 for at a bar. The best part? You get to drink it, too. The next class is Saturday (March 14) at 2:30 p.m., and will focus on Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey. Monthly at Earl’s Grocery, 1609 Elizabeth Ave., 704-333-2757. earlsgrocery.com. No reservations needed. Free.
The Whiskey Club of Ballantyne
Each month, The Ballantyne Hotel’s beverage manager, Cameron Brobst, gathers a selection of whiskeys to match that event’s theme. From North Carolina whiskeys to bourbons, each sampling is served with a complementary bite to eat from the Gallery Restaurant, led by Chef David Moore. Take a sip, take a bite, and take another sip. The thoughtful pairings bring out a different taste in the whiskey. The next gathering is March 27 at 6 p.m., with Irish Whiskeys. Monthly at The Ballantyne Hotel, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., 704-248-4000, theballantynehotel.com/upcoming-events. Reservations required. $40-$75.
Craft Cocktail Class at Heirloom
With a three-hour run time, the bar staff at Heirloom gives you time to learn and have some fun in this class. For $50, class attendees will get the recipes and instruction to create three cocktails. Take advantage of the restaurant’s signature knack for using North Carolina ingredients to bring home skills to impress out-of-town visitors with a local concoction. Enjoy appetizers, as well. The next class is March 28 at 1 p.m., focusing on creations that use Southern Artisan Spirits, makers of Cardinal gin. Monthly at Heirloom, 8470 Bellhaven Blvd., 704-595-7710, heirloomrestaurantnc.com. Reservations requested. $50; $90 per couple.
