A Negroni Masterclass With A Twist

This week the Visit Notts team were invited to try the brand new Art of Negroni Masterclass at The Alchemist, one of the coolest bars in Nottingham City Centre!

Including two full cocktails, a multisensory tarot card experience and the chance to get your creative juices flowing, this is one of the best cocktail masterclasses we have ever been to! It is perfect for cocktail lovers, those who like to experience something unique, any group of friends and even colleagues.

Keep reading to find out what you can expect from this amazing masterclass, as well as how to book.

What to expect

We had no idea what to expect as we approached the steps of The Alchemist. We had never even tried a negroni before! But we needn’t have worried. We were welcomed first by the stunning, gilded entranceway and then by their friendly staff, who saw us to our private masterclass table.

There was a wonderful assortment of items waiting for us at the table including headphones, tarot cards, buckets of ice, painting equipment and more! So it’s safe to say we were already impressed. The masterclass began with a short intro by the class leaders, who then instructed us to put on the headphones. We listened intently about the history of the negroni cocktail, it’s Italian origins and how it has evolved over time to suit different tastes. And then it was straight into making our first drink; a hands on element being a staple of any good cocktail masterclass!

We built our negronis first with ice (the golden rule), followed by equal ammounts of Campari, Vermouth and Gin. At this stage, we were very happy not to have spilt any of the sprits! Many of us at the table hadn’t tried a negroni before, so there were some mixed reactions. Some loved it, some found it slightly bitter, and some needed more time to make up their mind. To add an extra element to this sensory masterclass, a few different aperitifs were brought out for us to sample alongside the drink. These involved olives, edamame beans and warm bread with garlic butter. Each aperitif brought out something new about the flavours that you really need to be experience to understand. And it is this rich experience which really starts to set this masterclass apart.

Next was the tarot reading. We were invited to select one of the four cards in front of us. Which one stands out? Which one represents you? This would all link to the next drink, where you get to create a second cocktail, but this time with some flavouring. Each tarot card represented a specific flavour profile based on the combination of colours, vibes and attributes given to it. You will be introduced to these flavour profiles by awakening your senses with a guessing game. What can you smell? Is that fruity? Spicy? You will use your tarot card flavour to infuse your second negroni, making it more personal to you. Those who were unsure about the classic were sure to love this version!

While sipping your second drink, you can then get your creative juices flowing with a painting task. Inspired by your own senses or the artwork provided, you are invited to create your own poster for the negroni cocktail. Who doesn’t like cocktails and art? Everyone at our table loved this part of the masterclass, as it not only linked beautifully to the history of creativity with the negroni cocktail, but really made you analyse your own senses in response to this sharp, flavourful cocktail.

And the best part? You can take away your artwork as a souvenir from the experience. All you have to do now is decide where you’re going to display your masterpiece.

How to book

This impressive and comprehensive experience is £30 per person, with 6 - 12 guests required. Please note that a £10 deposit per person is required for all Masterclass bookings. The class is available for bookings until Wednesday 30^th November, excluding Saturdays.

You can book directly via their website, at thealchemist.uk.com/offers/the-art-of-negroni-nottingham.

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This blog was written by Katherine Taylor, Marketing Executive at Visit Nottinghamshire.