Attention holiday hosts: there's still a chance to wow your guests this season with a little help from the Astor House. The cozy dinning spot tucked away in the Coronado district of Central Phoenix is offering an intimate cocktail class this Saturday at 4 p.m. led by house bartender Blaise Faber.
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Astor House aims to offer cocktail classes on a monthly basis, and past cocktail classes have covered how to make a proper mint julep, a heated Manhattan, and a Pimms cup. Each class includes five cocktails, generally tied together with a theme: whisky, gin, etc.
In a class of up to 15 people, guests learn to mix classic cocktails with contemporary ones, as well as discover the history and importance of method behind each drink; which for Blaise Faber, is crucial:
"People leave learning stirring does indeed change the drink, over shaking - thanks a lot, Mr. Bond! I shouldn't muddle mint in my julep? No, sir. We make so many things in small batches - bitters, cordials, liqueurs, infusions and more - by hand, at Astor / Tuck [Shop], and people still don't know that, but it makes for an explosively tasty drink."
This week's seasonal cocktail class will include homemade egg nog, cafe batido, a wintergreen julep, as well as a few surprises.
"All in all, we just aim to have a good time," says Faber, "make some good drinks, and leave people as happy (or happier) than when they walked in."
The class is $20 and is open to any and all levels of aspiring bartenders or cocktail enthusiasts. To reserve your spot, contact the Astor House at (602) 687-9775, and to keep informed on all of the restaurant's monthly events visit the Astor House Facebook page.
