Always wanted to learn more about mixology but don’t have time to take an in-person training? The internet is a magical place, and right now there are a bunch of cocktail classes you can take from the convenience of your own home. Why not learn something new while you’ve got all of this free time? 

Here are some of the most affordable cocktail classes that we found online to help you learn more about the methods involved in mixing cocktails, pick up habits of professional mixologists, and talk more confidently about different spirits.

Casual Mixologist

Mixology 101

We had to give ourselves a little plug here. We built a 9-piece Mixology 101 written course for the home mixologist to learn everything you need to know to mix cocktails at home. It’s everything we wish we had when we were just getting started, including how to stock your home bar, how to use common mixology tools, what ice to use in different drinks, and more.

BarSmarts

For the more serious hobbyist, BarSmarts is an online bartender education and certification program sponsored by Pernod Ricard USA and created by BAR, LLC. The courses were developed by some of the leading names in mixology. The website offers two different cocktail programs depending on level of experience, with each course costing just $29. Both of the programs provide online reading, videos and online tests participants will be required to take. The final exam is called DrinkBuilder which asks participants to create cocktails online. Graduates of each program receive a certificate via email.

BarStarts Bartending for Beginners

Barstarts is an introductory level program that covers the basics of bartending.

BarSmarts Intermediate Bartending

Barsmarts is the higher-level program with an increased level of difficulty.

Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning community where a plethora of online videos are at your disposal to learn new skills, gain useful insights, and get inspired! This learning platform includes cocktail classes of varying difficulty levels depending on whether you’re a novice who is a beginner at learning the ropes or a seasoned cocktail mixology expert. Right now, Skillshare has a 14-day free trial of unlimited classes, so here are a few you can check out:

Intro to Mixology: Up Your Cocktail Game in 30 Minutes

This course is taught by April Wachtel, founder and CEO of Cheeky Cocktails, a cocktail syrups and juice company, and Swig + Swallow, a cocktail mixer company. This class is intended for the bartending novice, or the home enthusiast who wants to up their game quickly and with minimal investment.

Cocktail Secrets: Making Your Signature Drink

This course is taught by Ivy Mix, head bartender and owner of Leyenda, a cocktail bar in Brooklyn. She also founded Speed Rack, a competition created by and for female bartenders and was named “American Bartender of the Year” at the 2015 Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards. Whether you already appreciate great cocktails or are curious to experiment with your own, you’ll leave with tricks and inspiration for getting creative designing your own drinks.

Masterclass

The quality of a cocktail rests upon the experience of the bartender mixing it up. If you’re looking for a high-quality cocktail class, Masterclass helps you get behind the bar to work with spirits and liquors in mixing up cocktails like a professional. Right now they are offering a promotion – for $180, you and a friend get an annual membership to access unlimited classes.

Lynnette Marrero & Ryan Chetiyawardana Teach Mixology

Lynnette Marrero has been at the forefront of the NYC craft cocktail movement. Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr Lyan) is the founder of Dandelyan, named the world’s best bar. Together, they will teach you the essentials of cocktail making, from developing your palate to building your home bar. Learn how to mix a perfectly balanced drink for every occasion and mood—and become your friends’ new favorite bartender.

Typsy

Typsy has cocktail classes from award-winning hospitality experts and bar owners and is endorsed by the Institute of Hospitality as a training platform for industry employees. Learn from the best as you explore at your own pace. Right now, Typsy is offering free subscriptions to individuals until September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so you can check out these cocktail courses:

Bartending for Beginners

As a World Class recognized bartender and owner of an award-winning bar, Charlie Ainsbury knows a thing or two about what it takes to be the best behind the bar. In this 30-minute online bartender course, you’ll learn these tricks of the trade, including how to use essential bartending tools, essential cocktail making techniques, how to garnish, and how to pick the right ice.

Classic Whiskey Cocktails

In this 11-minute online hospitality course, Dustin Haarstad, beverage director of the acclaimed whiskey bar Canon, shows you how to make and serve the most famous of the classic whiskey cocktails – a skill every bartender should have under their belt.

Udemy

From learning about the origins of cocktails to the mastering the subtle techniques needed to prepare them, you will find yourself getting acquainted rather quickly. The cocktail courses on Udemy claim to help you think like a world-class mixologist, instead of just helping you prepare a simple drink. The website also offers niche specialized courses for specific skills such as making Japanese sake, making cocktails with Tequila, and pairing whiskey, to mention a few. New users can take courses for just $12.99 each.

Popular Cocktail Recipes – A Masterclass in Cocktails

In this 11-minute online hospitality course, Dustin Haarstad, beverage director of the acclaimed whiskey bar Canon, shows you how to make and serve the most famous of the classic whiskey cocktails – a skill every bartender should have under their belt.