Learning new skills

“Welcome to The Rabbit Hole, what can I get you?” A waitress immediately greeted Genevieve as she stepped into the venue.  It was certainly livelier here than the bakery that she worked at, but unsurprising, alcohol did bring in a different crowd.

“Hello!  I was looking for Hops, I had signed up for a mixology class.” 

“Ah yes!  She’ll be at the bar, just straight through.  Have fun!”

Genevieve nodded to the waitress, following the path to the bar where she found a girl in the middle of mixing drinks, having a jaunty conversation with some patrons.  A smile crept across Gen’s face, it was similar to the way she conversed with bakery customers, hopefully the session would keep that same positive energy.

“What can I get you?” The bartender gave Gen a big smile as she poured a concoction from the metal shaker in her hands into two matching glasses.

“I’m hoping that you’re Hops.  I signed up for a mixology course.”

“Oh!  Yes, I am Hops.  You must be Genevieve, I didn’t realize it was time for our class already.  Let me finish up and then we can start.” She nodded, shaking the last of the drink out, reaching for the garnish only to knock over the napkin holder along the way.  The two patrons she was serving laughed helping her pick things up, it seemed like a normal occurrence here.  But Hops was quick to finish serving the two and clean up to turn full attention back to Genevieve.

“Sorry bout that.  Anyways, welcome to The Rabbit Hole and Hops Mixology 101 course.  Let's move to the other end of the bar and you can come around back.”  The bun gestured down the way and Gen followed shortly finding herself back behind the bar with the other.

“Now Genevieve, there’s a lot of different drinks that people order.  You’ve got your simple ones.  Bourbon, either served neat, no ice, or on the rocks, iced.  Sin and Tonic is just as simple, two ingredients and lime garnish.  But the real sellers are ones that take a little bit more effort, which I’m certain is what you’re here for, am I right?” The opening speech sounded like she’d given it more than a few times, but it did end with a correct statement.

“Ah, yes you got me.” Genevieve gave an affirmative nod as she followed Hops’ hands gesturing at different bottles, glasses and garnishes.  “I wanted to learn to make drinks that would compliment the pastries I bake.  Figured it would be nice to offer some combination options to our guests.”

“Oooh, dessert and a drink does sound great.  Though sometimes too many sweets make me sleepy.  Hmmm, I know exactly what drink to start you with!” The sudden exclamation made Gen jump a little bit, but she immediately honed in as Hops pulled things out.

“So this drink is a Peach Hellini, a wonderful drink, sweet and bubbly.  We serve these in champagne glasses.”  The bartender pulled down a set of matching champagne glasses.

“Then our ingredients.  Two ounces of fresh peach juice.”  Grabbing a jigger, Hops carefully measured and poured the juice in.

“Two ounces of white wine.” Giving a wink she measured out the second ingredient.

“And then it’s another two ounces of champagne.  We pour it down the side of the glass to avoid filling the glass with foam.”  With practice skill she poured the champagne, the golden liquid gently mixing with the previous ingredients

“And now for garnish, a peach slice that I stir in.  Gently of course.” The garnish box was flipped open, spooning out a peach that was carefully added to the drink, a few swirls with the spoon to ensure everything was properly mixed.

“And there you have it, now your turn!” 

“Two peach juice, two white wine, two champagne.”  Gen talked herself through the process, she was a bit slower at the pours but everything seemed right. 

“And then one peach slice, mixed in.”  Taking the freshly cleaned spoon from Hops to procure and stir in the syrupy peach.  It looked nearly identical to the one the bartender had made first, it really wasn’t that hard.

“That looks great.  Now the important part! A taste test.  Cheers to your first mix!” Hops lifted her glass and Gen quickly followed, a clinking of glasses before each taking a sip.  And how sweet it was, and the way the bubbles tickled at her nose.  Oh the possibility of things she could serve alongside this.

“Delicious, truly.  Thank you so much.”

“Ah it was nothing.  You’re a natural, let's teach you a few more.” Hops downed the rest of her drink before pulling out new glasses.  With a shrug Gen followed along, learning and drinking her way through the venue’s whole menu.