Shake Up Your Holidays with a Festive Cocktail Class

Get into the holiday spirit with our hands-on cocktail class! This fun, fast-paced experience invites adults to mix, mingle, and learn something new.

First, you’ll jump into the basics – no experience required. Then, with every shake, stir, and pour, you’ll pick up new skills and grow more confident behind the bar.

As the night unfolds, you’ll laugh, connect with others, and soak up the festive vibes. Whether you’re a cocktail pro or just getting started, you’ll find plenty of ways to get creative and enjoy the season.

Finally, you’ll leave with fresh techniques, crowd-pleasing recipes, and maybe even a few new friends.

Led by an Expert You’ll Love Learning From

Sonja Kassebaum, the self-proclaimed “chief cocktail nerd” of North Shore Distillery, will lead the evening with energy and expertise. She’s known for her deep knowledge of drinks and love for bold, seasonal flavors.

To kick things off, Susie will cover the essentials. After that, she’ll walk you through several holiday-ready recipes – perfect for everything from quiet dinners to big, joyful parties.

To start, she’ll introduce the essentials. Then, she’ll guide you through a variety of festive recipes—each one perfect for anything from a cozy dinner to a lively holiday party.

Explore a Full Range of Holiday-Inspired Cocktails

Throughout the class, you’ll learn to craft:

• Welcoming cocktails to kick off your gatherings

• Perfect pairings for food and drinks

• Festive brunch cocktails

• Elegant after-dinner sips

Plus, you’ll get to experiment with a variety of spirits, mixers, fruits, herbs, and spices to customize your creations.

Sonja Kassebaum is the Co-Owner and Co-founder of North Shore Distillery, located in nearby Green Oaks, Illinois. North Shore is the original craft distillery in Illinois, opening at a time when there were just a few dozen craft distilleries in the United States. Sonja loves making spirits and cocktails of all kinds, and enjoys sharing them with others, including the history, tools and techniques involved in making them.

Sonja is a published author on the subject of cocktails and cocktail culture, and has spoken to groups across the Midwest about cocktail history, cocktail making and Chicago cocktail culture. She has been mentioned in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Forbes, Daily Herald and Edible Chicago, among others, and has repeatedly been named to New City’s Big Heat list of the 50 most influential people in Chicago food and drink. In 2020, Sonja was named one of “Eight Women who Changed Gin History” by Wine Enthusiast. Sonja is the lead creative force behind North Shore Distillery’s tasting room cocktail program, events and classes.