A cocktail class at Long Table Distillery during Canada’s World Cup match

I booked a cocktail class at Long Table Distillery for Babu’s birthday. What I did not book was a World Cup match.

Classes start at noon. So did Canada vs South Africa, Round of 32, June 28. Our instructor said he had never taught through a Canada game before, so he rearranged the whole thing: put the match on, moved us through the drinks between plays. By the second cocktail Eustáquio scored in stoppage time and nobody was holding a shaker properly anymore.

Where to find Long Table Distillery

Long Table Distillery is at 1451 Hornby Street in downtown Vancouver, walking distance from Burrard Station and the seawall. It opened in 2013 as Vancouver’s first micro-distillery and still runs on a custom 300 litre copper pot still, visible behind the bar.

The room is concrete block, exposed beams, string lights and a long wood bar. During the tournament they strung national flags across the ceiling and stuck tiny paired flags into empty gin bottles on every table.

What the cocktail class is like

Expect 2 hours, 3 cocktails and your own station. Classes cap at 8 to 12 people with a six person minimum, and you must be 19 or over.

You get a full setup: shaker tin, Hawthorne strainer, jigger, mixing glass, bar mat. You get to choose some of the specific ingredients as well. Each class has a different theme and drinks, so you can always come back to learn more.

I loved the first drink with the cotton candy. I picked blue cotton candy – you gotta put A LOT of cotton candy per instruction otherwise you won’t see the satisfying effect. Pour the drink over it, and watch the whole thing melt into this galaxy-looking liquid.

What I actually learned

This was my first time making drinks, so most of it was new.

Measure everything. A quarter ounce off is the difference between balanced and syrupy.

Shake or stir. Citrus, juice or dairy gets shaken. All spirits gets stirred.

Shake harder and shorter. 12 seconds, properly aggressive.

Taste before you pour. Adjust the sugar or the acid at the end.

How to book

Classes run Saturdays and Sundays at 12pm. Each date is sold as its own listing on the Long Table site and they sell out weeks ahead, so book early rather than dropping by. I booked this about 3 months early.

A few notes:

• 2 hours, 3 cocktails, snacks included, all equipment provided
• 19+, and they ask you not to drive
• Private and group bookings by email
• Retail and lounge hours are separate from class times
• Eat beforehand

Worth it?

Yes! It is hands on rather than watch and nod, the group stays small enough to ask questions, and you leave with technique you will actually use at home.