What happened when the Tie the Knot Scotland team joined a Pure Bartending cocktail masterclass? Let’s just say it was a very happy hour…
Hazel, Beth, Amy and Emma were delighted to try the tipples – all in the name of research, of course!
Hen parties are the epitome of a right good mix of people, aren’t they? There are not many occasions in life where you might find yourself looking for a way to bring together your leopard-print-wearing great-auntie, your school friend who now lives in Oz and your old work bestie whose witty commentary and coffee breaks got you through an awful part-time job.
But, of course, you want to celebrate your upcoming nuptials with those you love, so organising a fun (and, let’s be honest, affordable) get-together with those folks is naturally a pre-wedding priority.
My answer to the question of how to bring people together? Mixing drinks.
Enter Pure Bartending. Launched in Glasgow in 2018 by Michael Mackenzie, the team have since delivered over a thousand successful events in the city and beyond. They provide their services at corporate events, concerts, weddings, charity functions and more, so it’s safe to say these guys know the recipe for a good time.
Looking for another hen party activity? Check out our review of Splatter Art in Glasgow
Pure Bartending can also be booked for your hen (or stag) party, giving groups of around eight guests (and upwards) a private cocktail masterclass in the comfort of your own surroundings. So whether you and the gals are escaping to a Scottish bolt-hole or you’re hosting your hen in your garden (pray for good weather!), these mixologists will turn up fully equipped to teach you how to put together three delicious drinks that’ll be sure to get the party started.
Make mines...a Pornstar Martini. Michael taught the team how to make two iconic drinks during our session.
A rather poetic bartender once told me that “cocktails are conversations in a glass”, so in the interests of this article, the Tie the Knotters and I headed along to Pure Bartending’s new base at Morris Park in Glasgow for a mini masterclass experience to see what it’s all about.
Our expert guide is Michael himself, who knows how to shake up a mean cocktail and is extremely knowledge-able about all things drinks-related. (Did you know the French Martini was not actually invented in France, but in New York?)
After we watched him demonstrate the making of two mouthwatering concoctions and were blown away by the almost Cirque du Soleil-style flair he brought to the process, it was our turn to grab the shakers and have a go.
Editor Beth and I nailed a French Martini, while staff writer Emma and digital content creator Hazel now know how to put together the perfect Pornstar Martini. The whole experience was fun, it was engaging and, quite frankly, it was delicious.
The bartenders will have you mixing like a pro in no time (themed clothing is optional)
Laughing as a colleague struggled to separate the tins post-shake, or having a good giggle as we all tried to out-shake each other to get the perfect foamy top, the four of us were so caught up in the merriment of it all that we almost forgot we were actually there for work.
Such an interactive activity would serve as a fabulous ice-breaker if you’re bringing together lots of people from different parts of your life – it works brilliantly for hen dos.
And do you actually get to sample your creations? Well, of course! If you book the cocktail masterclass, not only will you get a Kir Royale to kick things off, you’ll be able to turn your tastebuds to making (and drinking) your own Mojito, French Martini and Bramble, all from just £30 per person.
Feeling like Tom Cruise in Cocktail is just an added bonus. Cheers!
Looking to find out more about Pure Bartending and other Scottish food and drink suppliers? Head to our directory for more...
