Herbal Cocktail Workshop with Ashley North Compton

Thursday, July 12, 6-9pm
Infusing Liquors & Cocktails (vodka base)
Friday, July 13, 6-9pm
Bitters Tasting; Bitters Making & Cocktails (gin base)
Students may choose to take one or both of the classes.
Each class is $75.

The Herbal Cocktail Workshop, taught by Designer and Herbal-Mixologist Ashley North Compton, will be an interactive study touching on elements of medicinal herbs, the use of culinary and medicinal herbs in cocktails, featuring construction of two signature drinks.
Exploring the continuum of food (or drink) as medicine in a spirited and casual format, the classes will last approximately 3 hours. Utilizing and concocting handmade bitters and infusions and culinary and medical herbs-the attendees will learn to create and design fresh and seasonal cocktails using garden-grown ingredients, natural sweeteners, and spirits.

Skills Learned ::
-sourcing and utilizing ingredients
-infusions, decoctions and bitters making
-different spirit uses and how to achieve the 6-tastes within cocktails
-pairings of ingredients and using gardens to create low-cost and healthy herbal drink
-the art of the cocktail and elements of its history are inherently discussed
-Each student will learn to create at least 2 signature drinks, and will create on their own at the end of the course.

Take Aways::
-1-3oz bottle of handmade bitters (ready to serve 2 weeks after course ends)
-1 8oz bottle of handmade vodka infusions (ready to serve 1-2 weeks after the course ends)
Day 1 :: infusing liquors & cocktail 1 (vodka-based)
Experiment with peppercorns, citrus rinds and dried herbs to create vodka infusions that will be used (pre-finished) in the first course. Students will be provided with materials to label their infused-liquor bottles.

Day 2 :: bitters tasting; bitters making & cocktail 2 (gin-based)
Students will learn about a variety of bitters, and concoct an option of 2 available (grapefruit-fennel or woodland). Students will be provided with materials to label their bitters bottles.
Learn more about Ashley here:
http://www.ashleynorthcompton.com/

Camp Design Build Adventure: REGISTER NOW!

Our friends at El Cosmico are hosting an amazing Design Build Adventure Camp December 15-22, 2011. No previous building experience is necessary and the class is designed to inspire and inform everyone from architects looking to get their hands dirty to laypeople who'd like to experience the design build process for the first time. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore and learn about magical Marfa. DON'T WAIT, the Deadline to register is November 30th! Visit the El Cosmico website for more details.

Learn. Create Community. Get Your Hands Dirty. Play. This 6-day workshop focuses on locality and community in design build - not just the materials and the construction techniques, but how climate, geography, socioeconomics, personal relationships and even factors like the food, music and art of a place can and should influence design. More than just a how-to clinic, Camp Design Build Adventure is about creating meaningful experience as we work. We believe that an important part of the design process takes place in shared communal moments around the camp, dinner table, and bonfire. Throughout the course of the workshop, Adventurers will source materials locally, design and construct furniture, and build their furniture designs all within the context of creating moments of community, purpose and fun.

This winter's workshop will focus on furniture design for a good cause. The course begins with an introduction to the art and architecture of the area - participants will gain unique access though private studio visits with artists and designers living and working in Marfa, and campers will have site-specific design sessions in some of the area's most interesting settings. Adventurers will then build their furniture designs in the El Cosmico shop using exciting tools and fabrication techniques. In keeping with the spirit of Camp Design Build Adventure, the week will culminate in a community event for locals and campers - we'll enjoy food donated and prepared by Farmhouse Delivery, and completed furniture pieces will be auctioned to benefit the West Texas Food Bank. See the daily schedule here.

Beer Brewing Class and Oak Cliff Brew Riot

This weekend we finished our 2-day home-brewed beer workshop. Students bottled two types of beer and left with two six packs of the final results! Don't miss the BrewRiot Homebrew Beer Festival May 22, 4-8pm in Bishop Arts.

Home Brewed Beer in Oak Cliff

Our first culinary arts class was held at Oil and Cotton this Saturday. Robin and Sarah, our super teachers lead our class through the process of making home brewed BEER! We liked the earthy scent that filled the studio and the sharing of ideas and home brewing secrets. The second half of the class will take place on May 7th.