Mixology Class: Modern Classics

It’s 2026, and we are two decades into the new renaissance and revival of the cocktail. In the early 2000’s, historian David Wondrich dreamed of a day when “you could get a decent old-fashioned at any bar.” We are there, my friends.

What’s more, the revival of the late 90’s and early 2000’s was not just about rediscovering old classics and methods, the great canon of cocktails started to expand rapidly. Many would point to Toby Cecchini’s version of the Cosmopolitan in the late 90’s at the Odeon in NYC as being the birth of the modern classic.

Today, we have so many to choose from that whole books are written about them. We will explore the now fertile history of the modern classic, talk about the key players such as Sam Ross and Phil Ward, who, between them, have dominated the modern classic canon with more entries than almost any other bartender since the original golden age. We will philosophize on how new techniques and even TV foodie culture helped blast this category wide open.

With so many modern classics to choose from, we found it hard to whittle it down to just three. For this class, you will be greeted with mini-Cosmopolitans as you enjoy Chef Katie’s savory snacks, and together we will be making the Penicillin, the Paper Plane, and the Oaxaca Old Fashioned, and discuss many, many others.

This month's skill-building class will take place at Little Gem on Tuesday, April 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Spaces will be limited to 16 seats total, so be sure to reserve yours today! Standard tickets are available at $75 (includes plated snacks from Beau Catering, three cocktails, and recipe cards for each cocktail so you can make them at home). Premium tickets are $100 each and also include a themed Little Gem/Beau Catering gift bag full of holiday-inspired goodies. Hope to see you there!

Can't make it? Save the dates for our upcoming classes:

Tuesday, 5/19: Ode to Kentucky Whiskey & American Cocktails

Tuesday, 6/16: The Martini: Evolution, Myth, and Mystique

Also check out other Workshops in Chapel Hill, Food & Drink events in Chapel Hill.