Mixology class blends lessons with fun

By Mallory Stiles
Associate Editor

After my hour-long lesson mixology class Sunday, Jan. 22, I am sad to report I am still not a meant-to-be bartender.

I know more than I did before walking in to Bradly HG, a home décor and gift shop located at 319 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town. I now know what a muddler and a jigger are, but there was a level of sophistication that will take me time to reach, for sure.

Regina Percini led the class gracefully, keeping us all entertained and engaged while staying on topic. Together, we made five mocktails and had a blast trying new flavors, taking pictures and having fun with other new, adventurous people.

Our first mocktail was a Cucumber Lemon Sparkler that was my personal favorite and a huge crowd pleaser. It was fairly simple and started off with a handful of chopped lemon and cucumber being muddled in a shaker.

She added two ounces of cucumber syrup and topped it off with soda water. This drink was suggested to be paired with a vodka of your choice. It was very light and citrusy.

Our second drink was something called a Persephone. It included one ounce of hibiscus tea, one ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice and three and a half ounces of ginger beer. It is meant to be paired with a Blanco tequila or a pomegranate vodka.

For our third go-around, we put together something called a Fiery Mango Tonic, which was not a favorite of mine but referenced as a healthy drink that has subtle detoxing effects.

This drink consists of a quarter teaspoon of turmeric, one cup of chamomile ginger tea, two teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, juice from half of a lemon, hot honey to taste (recommended two teaspoons) or muddled jalapeno, topped with sparkling water and a vodka of your choice.

After that, we made a fancy Mock-a-Rita, which was very spicy but flavorful, an acquired taste but worth the purchase. This one is three ounces of orange juice, one ounce of jalapeño and cucumber syrup, muddled cucumber, lime and soda water paired with a Blanco tequila.

It was familiar, yet wildly different from any Margarita flavor I had ever tasted. I wouldn’t order it but I wouldn’t spit it out either.

Lastly, I was able to sample something called a Smokey Rose, which had me very excited and did not disappoint. We mixed a half ounce of hibiscus tea (rose water is also suggested), a splash of grapefruit soda and a quarter dropper of Bitter Disco Inferno Liquid Heat to add the smokiness.

It’s an indescribable flavor profile because I promise there is nothing that you have tasted that can be compared to it. But it is on menus everywhere and beckoning you to give it a try.

Rob and Kathy Dietzel attended the class and had nothing but good things to say and smiles to offer the whole way through.

“Getting to try new recipes and meet new people was my favorite part,” Rob said.

When asked what drink was the favorite, Kathy jumped with excited eyes.

“My favorite drink was a tie between the Cucumber and Lemon Sparkler and the one with the pomegranate,” she said.

When asked if they would come back, they interrupted each other with a resounding “yes.”

Also, I don’t know if you are the type of person who likes to spend money where owners and managers are kind humans, but if you are, this is the place.

The owner’s name is Bradly Rakowski. I knew what he looked like from prior research and noticed him immediately upon arrival, working in the store.

He was extremely kind and stopped working to come double check that I didn’t need a chair because I had chosen to stand. He had no idea I was a journalist in training.

I will definitely be going back, whether it’s for a lamp or a cooking class. I HIGHLY suggest you do the same.