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Cocktail-Making Class: Rum and the Caribbean with Diana Pittet
Diana Pittet

Cocktail-Making Class: Rum and the Caribbean with Diana Pittet

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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Take a virtual trip to the sunny Caribbean by mixing up three different regional rum cocktails while discovering the complex history of this sugar-based distillate, in both the Caribbean and the United States.
Rum evokes carefree days of lounging on sunny beaches in the Caribbean, where it was born over 400 years ago, but it represents so much more, chiefly the growth of the early Atlantic economy through the slave trade and the transferral and adaptation of West African social and spiritual traditions.
This hands-on seminar will touch upon this history, focusing on the historic and contemporary rum culture of Barbados, where this sugar-based distillate is thought to have originated, before shifting to Cuba, where Americans rediscovered the pleasures of rum during Prohibition, when “Demon Rum,” was banned, and then ending in the imagined geographical spaces of tiki bars, where rum is once more enjoying a comeback. Participants have a chance to make three classic rum cocktails--one shaken, one stirred, and one built--each one reflecting this arc of rum’s story: Barbados Rum Punch; El Presidente of Cuba; and the Queens Park Swizzle of Trinidad.
Led by cocktail expert Diana Pittet, this interactive seminar will explore rum’s complicated origins and contemporary enjoyment. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased appreciation of the role that rum played in the history and culture of the Caribbean and the United States, and with knowledge of the proper techniques for making craft cocktails.

Participants are welcome to join in the cocktail making! You'll want these ingredients and tools on hand:
  • Jigger (for measuring ingredients)
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Mixing glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Cocktail strainer
  • Vegetable peeler
For the Barbados Rum Punch:
  • Aged rum, preferably from Barbados
  • Simple syrup
  • Lime juice
  • Angostura bitters
  • Nutmeg
For El Presidente:
  • Lightly aged rum
  • Blanc vermouth
  • Orange liqueur
  • Grenadine
  • Orange twist
For Queens Park Swizzle:
  • Lightly aged rum
  • Simple syrup
  • Lime juice
  • Angostura bitters
  • Mint
  • Crushed ice
Participants will receive complete recipes prior to the class.

A former Latin teacher, Diana traded in the classical world for classic cocktails after she earned a master's degree from NYU in Food Studies. She is the co-founder of Night Owl Hospitality, a cocktail catering company on the Jersey Shore, where she also runs a whiskey club. This autumn, Diana returns to NYU to teach a graduate class on the history, culture, and politics of drinking. An avid traveler, Diana aims to visit a total of 50 different countries by the time she is 50.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
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Stacy Christine (Denver, US)
Diana is the best

Once again, Diana delivers an outstanding experience. Her knowledge of spirits and the history therein is amazing. She also selects a variety of cocktails to make during the class that are not only delicious, but help build home cocktail making knowledge. Highly recommended!

m
mary Loewen (Makawao, US)
Rums of the Caribbean cocktail making class

It was absolutely fascinating! Not only did she cover the History of rum including the slave trade and the colonial era in the Caribbean, but she was obviously knowledgeable about runs and spirits from around the world. The cocktails were tasty and fun to make, and it was an entirely enjoyable class.

K
Karin (Cedar Park, US)
Drink and Think

It was amazingly informative learning about the history of rum and some of the not so pleasant times around it but then we could/can talk about. I will be checking out my local liquor place tomorrow and be knowledgeable about what I am buying.

Customer Reviews

Based on 3 reviews
100%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
S
Stacy Christine (Denver, US)
Diana is the best

Once again, Diana delivers an outstanding experience. Her knowledge of spirits and the history therein is amazing. She also selects a variety of cocktails to make during the class that are not only delicious, but help build home cocktail making knowledge. Highly recommended!

m
mary Loewen (Makawao, US)
Rums of the Caribbean cocktail making class

It was absolutely fascinating! Not only did she cover the History of rum including the slave trade and the colonial era in the Caribbean, but she was obviously knowledgeable about runs and spirits from around the world. The cocktails were tasty and fun to make, and it was an entirely enjoyable class.

K
Karin (Cedar Park, US)
Drink and Think

It was amazingly informative learning about the history of rum and some of the not so pleasant times around it but then we could/can talk about. I will be checking out my local liquor place tomorrow and be knowledgeable about what I am buying.