Mix Lab Cocktails Class 2: Classic Cocktails, Homemade

So you know how to pour a solid cocktail, but now we’re taking things up a notch. Get the lowdown on alcohol infusions, drink garnishes, and all the need-to-know bar tricks you’ve been missing to take the leap from basic to brilliant behind the bar.

This three-level class is designed to transform you into a total cocktail wizard.

First, we’re tackling techniques to improve your garnish game and get creative with common kitchen tools. Then, old classics get an out-of-the-box update. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a flavor workshop as we play with the art of alcohol infusions.

Our team of award-winning bartenders will show you that you don’t need a 5-star set-up to craft cocktail masterpieces. When you know how to use them right, common household items and ingredients totally do the trick!

Lucky Huang, Allen Fang, Carson Xie, and Choni Song are going behind the bar (and behind the camera) to give you exclusive instruction on how to produce world-class drinks from your home bar.

A full bar cart can take a while to acquire. In the meantime, make the most of what you already have at home. A shaker can be swapped for a lidded jar, straws or chopsticks make excellent substitutes for bar spoons, and a meat tenderizer is surprisingly useful for creating crushed ice!

Not all containers are created equal! The size and shape of your glasses have a huge impact on the style and even flavor of your final drink. From champagne flutes to martini glasses, these are the most common bar glassware you’ll want to have on hand.

Little do you know, your kitchen is full of makeshift bar tools just waiting to make an appearance in dozens of classic cocktail recipes. Utilize lighters, spoons, straws, and other common gadgets for those moments when you just don’t have the fancy things.

Sticking some citrus atop your glass is a great way to add a little extra flair, but why stop there? Add caramelized sugar to a simple lime garnish to deepen the flavors and bring out the sour fruit’s sweeter notes.

Orange peels are a versatile garnish that offer a pop of color or splash of flavor to countless cocktails. Rather than just place the peel on your glass, use a lighter to extract its citrus oils and infuse them into the drink.

Ice is the unsung hero of many drinks. Create your own crushed ice (perfect for mojitos, margaritas, and more) with the help of a common kitchen tool.

If any country knows how to have a good time, it’s Brazil. Take a trip to the land of samba and Carnival with their national cocktail, a funky, refreshing lime and sugar stunner sure to be the life of the party.

Pucker up! The sour, citrusy Sidecar is an elegant addition to any bartender’s repertoire. It was first invented in Europe in the 1920s and has held onto its position as a mainstay in bars across the world ever since.

The Cosmopolitan is a cocktail of many colors, undergoing various transformations in flavor and appearance throughout the decades. But why mess with a good thing? This drink brings it back to the classics with that signature blend of cranberry, citrus, and vodka.

Just like the animal it's named after, this is a drink that delivers a swift kick. Vodka and ginger beer with a squeeze of lime create a simple yet snappy flavor profile. Just serve it up in the traditional copper mug and enjoy a tried and true classic that’s good all year round.

Bring together the best of both worlds in a timeless drink of gin and lime. This is a straight-forward, no-nonsense take on the Gimlet that accommodates drier palates and truly lets the natural berry flavors of Bombay Bramble shine.

Everything about this drink is picture-perfect, from the beautiful bright red color to the strawberry and mint garnish. Bring on the bubbly!

Ah, the daunting aquafaba. This mysterious ingredient may seem out of place in a cocktail (if you even know what it is to start with), but it adds so much light, frothy texture to a classic Whiskey Sour, not to mention it’s a great vegan alternative to whipped egg whites.

Your own home-cooked cordial gives this Strawberry Daiquiri a made-with-love kind of feel, as though its fruity goodness and gorgeous garnishes weren’t enough.

When traditional flavor blends are getting a bit bland, throw in a twist! Beloved ingredients like coffee, tea, and herbs make their way into your cocktails with these updated takes on old favorites.

Life happens, but coffee helps. A splash of Irish whisky, a decadent whipped cream topping, and a cinnamon stick garnish make your morning (or evening) cup of joe that much sweeter.

This beloved drink is just the thing to kickstart a night out or wake you up the morning after. Grey Goose, Patron XO Cafe, and good old espresso will deliver a shock to your system in the best way possible, doing away with any lingering sleepiness after just a few sips.

Herbs are a bartender’s best friend, and fresh, leafy ingredients really shine in this Basil Smash, a light and simple drink adaptable to all four seasons.

Mojitos are already one of the most dangerously delicious cocktails of all time. Add fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries into the mix and you’ve got a colorful number that looks as good as it tastes!

Love brunch but looking to swap out your standard Mimosas and Bloody Marys? The Thyme Bellini is a light, herbal-fruity blend that will have all your guests asking for seconds (or thirds).

Oolong tea and tequila might not sound like your typical pairing, but this easy, breezy recipe will totally change your mind. Plus, it comes together in no time at all; Just combine a handful ingredients, mix with ice, and serve.

Bartending is an art form, with plenty of room for creativity. These cocktails are like arts and crafts in a glass, using unique methods and flavors to bring together alcohol masterpieces.

Fat washing is a technique in which alcohols are infused with the rich, heavy flavors of fats or oils. All we have to say is...bacon + whiskey. Are you drooling yet?

The world loves tea and the world loves cocktails, so why not bring both globe-trotting drinks together in a creative twist on the Gin and Tonic--the Gin and Tea-nic! This out-of-the-box recipe uses a gin-filled French press (yes, really) and classic Earl Grey brew to make some serious magic.

The strong and smooth Bacon Old Fashioned is Southern comfort in a cup, complete with smoky scotch whisky, rich savory flavors, and just a hint of sweetness.