With drinks firms unable to offer in-person tastings, events have moved online
Going to the pub with colleagues for a pint after work or catching up with friends for a few drinks at the weekend has been something of a ritual for many.
And with lockdown set to continue for the foreseeable future, more and more people are arranging video calls with loved ones and friends to continue to socialise, trying to keep as much ‘normality’ in their routines as possible.
From virtual pubs popping up, to after-work drinks on Zoom, there’s plenty of ways for us all to stay connected while enjoying a glass or two.
For those looking for something a little different, a virtual cocktail-making class may be just the thing.
Boozy Events are among a number of drinks events businesses in Scotland who are taking their classes online during lockdown and offering interactive demonstrations through video call.
So I recruited my partner Calum to help me put one of these masterclasses to the test and shake up a dull mid-week evening.
The Verdict:
Overall I thought the service was really easy to use. I ordered online, told the team what alcohol I had at home, and by the next morning, I’d had a call saying my care package would be delivered with two cocktail recipes inside later that day. The package arrived around noon.
The care package was left on our doorstep and contained a whole range of items including juices, fruit, garnishes and more. As well as all of the equipment needed to make our drinks.
We decided to set the event up on Zoom so we could connect with our bartender – Cammy Esson, one of the Boozy Events owners – and scheduled a time with them to meet online. Our masterclass kicked off at 5pm.
Before jumping on the video chat, we set up our own home bar and got all of our garnishes and ingredients prepared. You don’t have to do this, but being an organised type I wanted everything to run as smoothly as possible. Which it absolutely did.
Right on time we logged in and caught up with Cammy who talked us through the experience and the cocktails (The Mary Jane and the Strawberry Basil Smash) we were going to be making.
The masterclass lasted around 45 minutes and we had a lot of laughs throughout as we tested pourers over our heads and shook up delicious drinks.
Zoom worked really well for us and we could copy Cammy’s every move easily. He was also very informed about the different cocktails and had swapped in different ingredients for the drinks to complement the spirits we had readily available at home.
Although we did this on our own as a couple, I think this would be a great way to socialise with friends who are also self-isolating. Most companies running virtual masterclasses can host them for larger groups of people at the same time, meaning you can catch up with your pals and have a laugh together making high-quality drinks. A fantastic idea if you’re celebrating a birthday.
What is it?
A virtual cocktail-making masterclass you can take part in. You can also get different households involved in the class, too.
How much does it cost?
Boozy Events’ cocktail classes cost £29.99 which includes the equipment, the class, hire, delivery and collection of all equipment.
Visit boozyevents.com for more information.