Mixology Class @ The Golden Bear

This class was great! Russell is very passionate about what he does and it truly shows as soon as he starts talking. Anyone interested in learning the basics of Mixology for home use or interested in the profession should definitely try and get in a class with Mr. Eastman. He knows his stuff and doesn’t talk over your head. He breaks down the bar speak for you and don’t be fooled, there’s alot more to it than adding a couple shots of liquor, a mixer and giving it a shake. He stresses the importance of using local herbs and fruits in your drinks. Why settle for a plain margarita or mojito, when you can hit the farmer’s market and add fresh blackberries, peaches, basil, melon, etc. The list is truly endless. I’ve walked away from this class with a great appreciation for the profession and an endless list of drink variations I want to whip up. It was also a nice touch that the Golden Bear provided some eats, so we didn’t walk away tipsy. I think I’m smitten with their tuna tartar.

How awesome was this class? Let tell you something: David O does not do foo foo drinks. David O wants WHISKEY, not his USDA suggested amount of fruit servings in a glass.
Russ made me a believer with this class on the fundamentals and pure passion for the cocktail. This class was a blast, I came away with some tools, and I think learned enough to impress most casual cocktail sippers. If this is ever offered again do it.

My boyfriend Joe K & I won a 2 hour Mixology class compliments of Unilocal!And I must say that it was not only fun, but enlightening! There was 9 of us in the class, in which 4 were our Unilocal friends: Elif F, David O, Tanisha B, and another Unilocaler, who’s name I didn’t catch. This was in celebration of Sacramento’s «Midtown Cocktail Week».

«Cocktologist», Russell Eastman was very informative, and had the art of blending drinks down to a science! Never did I realize how much education, history and experience was involved in being a great bartender! Russell had all of these skills and did a great job passing his knowledge on to us. Tips: keep ingredients top quality, fresh & in season. And always measure! No guess pouring!
Normally these classes are $ 40.00 per person, and I must say it is well worth it! You also get a bag of mixing tools & standard drink recipes as part of your instruction. And of course, you can drink what you concoct!
The Golden Bear was a nice place to host our class room. They even served free appetizers to snack on in between our drink lessons! (There was only one distraction, the loud talking woman who was sitting with her friends at the bar).
But besides that, this was a nice Sunday afternoon I won’t soon forget! We are already inspired to create and properly stock a home bar. Then maybe we can have a real cocktail party just like the grownups!
To inquire or sign up for future classes, call: (916) 501‑8815 or e-​mail: