Cocktail Making in London: the Best Mixology Classes

The Folly can be found on Gracechurch Street, opposite Monument Underground station, and offers a botanical haven in the middle of one of London’s most bustling areas. The garden-like décor gives the space a sanctuary-like feel and provides the perfect atmosphere for a tutorial in cocktail making. The venue offers two different mixology classes, a three cocktail session costing £30 and a cocktail masterclass with delicious dinner afterwards costing £55. The Folly’s mixology team will take you through different ingredients and menus and the history behind their cocktail before letting you loose on the bar.

The unusual name comes from the space being a Grade II listed building in King’s Cross, built in 1865 for the German Gymnastics Society. It went on to become England’s first all purpose built gym that even hosted the first ever indoor Olympic events in 1866. The stunning venue is open-plan with an ultra elegant interior, some would say, the perfect setting to make a few sophisticated cocktails. German Gymnasium’s offers two types of cocktail masterclass, a Curious (£37.50 pp) and an Adventurous class (£55 pp); both include a selection of tasty bar snacks and a guided workshop from the Bar Manager. If you opt for the Adventurous option you’ll even get a chance to try your hand at ice carving.

Reverend J W Simpson is a secret speakeasy-style bar in Fitzrovia built on the site of a former vicarage. It boasts a quirky yet cosy interior with large sofas and stripped walls for a vintage look, making it the perfect environment to relax and enjoy some cocktails. The Reverend J W Simpson cocktail classes (also known as Spirited Sermons) offer guests the opportunity to experiment with classic recipes. Each evening is based around a spirit and guests will learn about its unique tastes before creating their own concoctions. This saintly venue is interestingly the sister restaurant of the nearby Bourne & Hollingsworth; both of which boast extremely interesting interiors.

TT Liquor is a cellar bar based in Shoreditch that offers an intimate cellar cocktail bar and a specialist liquor store. It hosts a whole range of experiences, including cocktail classes, molecular classes, gin classes and rum classes. Guests attending TT Liquor’s cocktail classes will get the opportunity to make their own selection of cocktails behind their own custom-built cocktail station/bar. They’ll also be tutored by their in-house mixologists on how to make (and drink) a selection of four vibrant cocktails. The molecular classes on offer invite guests to use specialised equipment to understand how the chemical structure of cocktail ingredient change and guests can make their very own lab-produced cocktails. These fantastic interactive workshops are perfect for those who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty and are the ultimate treat for any cocktail lover or science enthusiast.

If you want to become a mixology pro, the London Cocktail Club offers a masterclass to suit your drinks-making ability, whether you’re an absolute beginner or bartending expert. Guests attending the class will be treated to a cocktail on arrival and will learn how to make three different cocktails throughout the session. They’ll also hear all about the different secrets and techniques behind the recipes as well as the histories behind the cocktails. As if the free drinks weren’t enough, to prove you’re a master of beverages attendees will also be given their very own LCC masterclass certificate.