Mixology Certification: Advanced Bartending Course

I recently completed the advanced mixology program, as the owner of a distillery (and primary cocktail creator) I wanted to take the advanced course as I know the basics. I found the course very educational and helpful, I immediately implemented the tactic to combat the odor from egg whites, and the use of citric acid for balance. I was hoping for more on garnish techniques' The course is easy to understand and the ability to retake the quizzes was a great way to learn more! My only suggestion would be for the final practical exam to have the first sheet to state "Starting Recipe" as I was confused on what page to begin with. I look forward to officially receiving my certificate and starting another course!

I can confidently say it was a worthwhile experience. The structure of the program balanced both theory and practical application, making it easy to follow while still challenging enough to sharpen my skills.

The course clearly outline techniques and how to use ingredients clearly, which gave me a solid foundation. I especially appreciated the emphasis on classic cocktail families like sours, fizzes, and highballs.

The hands-on portion of the course was the highlight. Getting to practice muddling, shaking, layering, and even experimenting with egg whites and infusions really elevated the learning process. The final practical exam designing and presenting our own cocktail pushed me to be creative while still applying everything we had learned.

Overall, the course was engaging, fun, and very educational. It gave me confidence not only in mixing drinks but also in understanding why certain techniques and ingredients work the way they do.

As someone who hates online learning, I'd take this over one of those few day in-person bartending classes in a heartbeat. The way it's structured, having a video corresponding to written information below, makes it easier to feel engaged and retain more.
Aside from the nice learning system, the content itself was so inciteful and contained so many important aspects of drink making. I thought I could learn all I needed watching Youtube and Googling. However, you can't duplicate the organized curriculum this course provided on your own, especially while also getting into the same depth and detailing aspects you probably wouldn't think of.
The final project was really fun and truly made this experience feel more personal. When it was time to submit an original cocktail recipe using what we had learned about balancing a drink and methods for incorporating flavors, I felt confident with the knowledge I now have.
I created a spin on a whiskey sour, using peach, ginger, yuzu, and aquafaba (instead of egg white). The peach and ginger were incorporated into the drink with fresh produce I infused in different ways, as was also taught. You're also challenged to garnish the drink in a way that's fitting, which there is a lesson about.

After bartending for years and wanting to advance beyond traditional bartending, I decided to pursue my mixology education and certification. I knew that through hands on experience alone, I would never learn about the things that exist beyond a small town bar inventory. I chose A Bar Above to begin my pursuit of a thorough education and understanding of spirits, and I’m glad I did because they taught me well. Through this mixology program, I was able to begin my journey by learning about the vast array of spirits, spirits which are not commonly found in small town bars. I was able to learn about the distillation practices, the differences between them, and how to utilize them in different types of cocktails. I also learned how to make my own cocktail ingredients. I plan to take the mocktails course next. Since pursuing my certification, I have started my own mobile mixology business where I create exquisite menus for events. I challenge myself regularly by creating new and innovative recipes. This cocktail pictured is my newest Spring recipe, a twist on the classic Ramos Gin Fizz, called Crema Di Fiori Gin Fizz. This cocktail blends an infusion of jasmine with lavender cream and elderflower tonic and is absolutely delicious.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mixology course. Chris is an amazing, talented and engaging instructor and the material was comprehensive and very useful. I loved the opportunity we had to practice on our own and the quizzes at the end of each session were very helpful. I would whole-heartedly recommend this course to anyone looking to upscale their mixology skills.