A bartending workshop is a two-hour riot of spirits, screams and shrill whistles

The bartender-instructor for the evening doesn't fancy drinking too much. In fact, all he downs in the course of the two hours is a shot of vodka while his 'students' glug on over four cocktails.

The Best of Bombay Bartending Workshop at Il Terrazzo, Juhu Beach, scheduled for alternate Tuesday nights at 8.30, begins at a leisurely 9 pm, the hosts waiting for the last of those registered to make an appearance. It's a crammed space with couples, friends and birthday gangs talking all at once.



Every student is supplied with bartending equipment a shaker, bar spoon, muddler et al. At five past nine, the 'teacher' Pranav Thakkar begins his lecture. There's not a dull moment as he instructs, quizzes and lets us titter among ourselves though every now and then he emits an ear-splitting whistle for order.

We learn lessons on shaking a drink, basic measuring fundas (though the others on my table insist on higher spirit content to "improve" the taste), muddling and how to identify glasses. The varied spirits flow freely as we concoct Cosmopolitans, Whiskey Sours, Watermelon-Basil Martinis and Mojitos. As the evening wears on, and we finish what we've stirred up, the crowd gets more boisterous though the whistle still works in resuming somewhat of a silence.

While Pranav doesn't teach us how to, he does give a performance of some neat cocktail juggling and tossing. For whatever reason, he throws in two anti-smoking 'tricks' as well, telling the smokers present about how a cigarette cuts through their bodies as it does a lemon. It's well intentioned but we don't think any of them take it seriously.

The class wraps up with a 'make your own cocktail' mock exam which ensures more mayhem. While our table is quite proud with our creation, a Tropical Sundae, I can't for the life of me remember what went into it.

The workshop is a lot of fun if you're with friends, but even if you aren't, two drinks down, everyone's on backslapping terms. Sure, at Rs 1,200 a class the fee's a little steep but you get to learn how to whip up try-this-at-home cocktail recipes and a handy instruction booklet for keeps.

Our only complaints: hosts should provide some nibbles because accommodating a meal on a table full of cocktail paraphernalia is a pain. Also, the workshops ought to concentrate on cocktails made from one spirit. Unless you can deal with an ugly hangover the morning after, which, by the way, is a weekday.

Workshops are held every alternate Tuesday at a different venue. To register, call 26355379