Love classic cocktails? Wanna learn more about ’em from two of St. Louis’ top experts on the topic? If so, then phone Sanctuaria ASAP.
This coming Monday, June 14, that Grove tapas restaurant will host Mixology De-Mystified, an informal evening class devoted to pre-Prohibition panache and conducted by Sanctuaria’s own Matt Seiter and Taste by Niche‘s Ted Kilgore. However, as Seiter told us yesterday, the limited seating on the reservations-only event is edging toward the danger zone.
“We get asked a lot by the people who sit at the bar, ‘Why do you do that? What’s the purpose? Does it really make a difference?'” noted Seiter. Questions like that inspired Monday’s class.
“We’re not doing anything crazy, anything out of the ordinary – we’re not using some brand-new techniques brought on by technology,” he continued. “All four of the cocktails [involved in the class] are pre-Prohibition. We specifically wanted to talk and discuss classic methods, differences between stirring and shaking, use of eggs in drinks. Just basic methodology.”
Seiter practices what he preaches, as does his right-hand man, Jake Ashcroft. Recently, in fact, Ashcroft has been experimenting with an as-yet-nameless libation involving Hendrick’s Gin, muddled cucumber juice, celery bitters and other ingredients. Cuke fans, take note.
Seiter also mentioned one more inspiration for his and Kilgore’s class. “I used to be a teacher, and I kinda missed that little teaching part,” he said, chuckling. “If only drinking was legal at the age of 14, I think high school would be a lot more fun, a lot more attentiveness to it.”
Mixology De-Mystified starts at 7 p.m. and costs $25, which includes four classic cocktails (a Champagne Cocktail, a Daiquiri, a Manhattan and a Ramos Gin Fizz) and hors d’oeuvres. To register – quick! – call 314.535.9700.
This article appears in Jun 1-30, 2010.