Introduction to Spirits

This course will allow you to make better substitutions and use a more diverse set of spirits in your bar by helping you understand each of the main spirit categories. 

This course will not only outline the most popular cocktails for each spirit, but will cover the production and styles of the following spirits: 

• Vodka
• Gin
• Rum
• Tequila and mezcal
• Whiskey, including Scotch whisky
• Brandy
• Liqueurs. 

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Vodka is the world's most popular white spirit, especially amongst health conscious and young drinkers. So, what makes vodka the world's most alluring white spirit? It's sheer mix-ability.

Vodka is a flavour enhancer, and when it is added to cocktails and punches, it brings out the best in other ingredients. This quality makes vodka extraordinary and an essential ingredient for craft bitters, syrups, sauces and marinades.

Introduction to Vodka is a vodka fundamentals course that will give you a basic understanding of the white spirit, including:

• A brief history of vodka and how it is made
• How to read a vodka label, including straight, flavoured and overproof vodkas
• How to recommend a vodka cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular vodka cocktails.

It's time to take your vodka knowledge to the next level!

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Gin is a widely popular spirit known for its distinct flavour, which derives from juniper berries. With a long and fascinating history, gin is so much more than just ‘flavoured vodka’. Unlike many other spirits, gin is almost exclusively consumed in cocktail form. While it is undoubtedly delicious on its own, especially in today's craft spirit climate, traditionally gin has not been a sipping drink.

In this introductory course, you will gain a basic understanding of the spirit. This course will explore:

• A brief history of gin and how it is made
• How to read a gin label; including information on the styles of gin, gin from around the world, and the most common gin brands
• How to recommend a gin cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular gin cocktails.

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Rum has a reputation for being a summer favourite. As one of the most famous spirits in the world, rum has versatile flavour profiles ranging from fruity and grassy, to flavours of caramel and cinnamon. It can be both refreshing or warming, whether drunk neat or in cocktails.

Introduction to Rum is a rum fundamentals course that will give you a basic understanding of the sugarcane spirit, how it's made, and how to recommend rum cocktails to guests.

This course will explore:

• A brief history of rum and how rum is made
• How to read a rum label, including the colours, varieties and regions of production
• How to recommend a rum cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular rum cocktails.

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Tequila means different things to different people. Whether you prefer to drink it neat, shot with a lime, or in a margarita, Tequila is a spirit that’s easily enjoyed in many situations. Tequila and Mezcal are the most famous styles of agave spirits, which is now one of the fastest-growing spirit categories in the world.

Introduction to Tequila and Mezcal is an agave spirits fundamentals course that will give you a basic understanding of native Mexican spirits, how they are made, and how to recommend agave spirits and cocktails to guests.

This course will explore:

• A history of the agave plant
• How Mezcal and the sub-category of Tequila evolved
• How to read an agave spirits label; including blanco, reposado and añejo Tequilas and Mezcals
• How to recommend a Tequila or Mezcal cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular Tequila and Mezcal cocktails.
• It's time to get to know agave spirits!

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American whiskey is the world's most versatile style of whiskey. It can be enjoyed neat, or mixed in cocktails such as the Manhattan, Mint Julep and Old Fashioned. However, unlike many other spirits, with whiskey cocktails you're meant to taste the whiskey.

The history of American whiskey is inextricably linked with the history of America. In fact, many of today's brands and bottles make historical references to the people and places where the whiskey originated.

This introductory course will provide a basic understanding of the spirit and will explore:

• A brief history of American whiskey and how it is made
• How to read an American whiskey label; including information on the styles of whiskey and the most common American whiskey brands
• How to recommend a whiskey cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular whiskey cocktails.
• Get your tasting glass ready because you will want to test your knowledge with a tasting activity at the end of this course.

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Whiskey - it changes name and spelling depending on where it's made and its style, which is why it can feel like the largest overarching family of spirits.

Whiskey is a huge spirit category, and can be divided into different geographical regions. From Scotch, to Irish Whiskeys, to Bourbon Whiskeys, and even stretching as far as Japanese Whiskies - the difference between each spirit essentially comes down to sourcing, mash content, the aging process, and the demographic region. In this Introduction to Whiskey course, you will gain a basic understanding of the spirit and the different styles that exist.

This course will explore:

• A brief history of whiskey and how it is made
• How to read a whiskey label; including information on the styles of whiskey, whiskey from around the world, and the most common whiskey brands
• How to recommend a whiskey cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular whiskey cocktails.

So get ready to work for your next glass of whiskey, and let's begin!

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With a rich heritage and longstanding traditions, Scotch has historically been marketed as a luxury spirit for sipping rather than mixing in cocktails. However, as more affordable, cocktail-focused Scotch whiskies enter the market, we will see more Scotch-based cocktails like the Blood and Sand or Penicillin on the menus of craft cocktail bars.

This introductory course will provide you with a basic understanding of Scotch. This course will explore:

• A brief history of Scotch, how it is made and Scotch-producing regions
• How to read a Scotch label; including information on the styles of Scotch and common labelling terms
• How to recommend a Scotch cocktail to a guest
• The basics of popular Scotch cocktails

Whether you prefer a single malt for sipping or a soft blended whisky for mixing, there is a Scotch to satisfy your taste. Let's learn about Scotch!

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The styles of brandy are vast and complex, encompassing a diverse collection of spirits made from grapes, pears, stone fruits, and berries. Although we commonly associate brandy with Cognac, there are many other brandies worth knowing. The complexity of brandy makes it an ideal spirit to sip, and while it doesn't have the conventional reputation as a spirit used in cocktails, it gives standout qualities to drinks like the Sazerac, Pisco Sour, Brandy Crusta and Jack Rose cocktail.

This Introduction to Brandy course will explore the fundamentals of brandy and how it emerged as a popular spirit. To do this, this course looks at:

• A brief history of brandy in Europe and the Americas
• The styles of brandy including grape-based brandies, apple and pear brandies, stone fruit brandies, and berry brandies
• How brandies are made
• Popular brandy cocktails and how to recommend brandy cocktails to guests

Let's start learning about brandy!

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Elegant, refined, fruity, and floral, Cognac is a luxurious spirit with wide appeal. Whether drunk neat in a warmed tasting glass, or in a classic cocktail like the Brandy Crusta, Cognac is a staple for any bar. But what is Cognac exactly?

Cognac is a distilled spirit made from white wine. How it is distilled, aged, and even where it is made is tightly controlled by the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), a governing body that protects and regulates its production.

To get to know this spirit better, this Introduction to Cognac course gives you foundational knowledge, and covers the following topics:

• Brief history of Cognac
• How Cognac is made and where it's produced
• The grape varietals used to make Cognac and the six Cognac crus
• Cognac age statements
• How to recommend popular Cognac cocktails to guests.

Upon completing this course, we encourage you to taste at least three Cognacs or Cognac cocktails to put your knowledge to work.

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Not to be confused with "liquors", liqueurs are part of a unique spirit category that incorporates botanicals, alcohol, and sweeteners. There are thousands of variations that are flavoured with fruits, flowers, seeds, and nuts.  

Liqueurs are used as a base, top note, or sweetener for many contemporary and classic cocktails, making them a staple of any backbar. 

This course, Introduction to Liqueurs, will provide you with a foundational knowledge of this spirit category. 

This course covers: 

• How liqueurs are made
• The different styles of liqueurs
• How to use liqueurs in cocktails
• Popular liqueur cocktails
• How to recommend liqueur cocktails to guests.

Let's begin learning about the world of liqueurs. 

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