At Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh, the Cocktail Craft Masterclass invites you to learn the techniques behind whisky, gin, and vodka cocktails from seasoned mixologists. Discover the stories and skills that elevate your drink-making in a historic setting.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
No physical exertion required; suitable for all fitness levels.
Wildlife
History
Summerhall was originally part of the Veterinary College in the late 19th century before becoming a hub for artisanal distilling.
Conservation
The distillery promotes sustainability by sourcing local ingredients and adopting eco-conscious production practices.
Summerhall Distillery
At Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh, the Cocktail Craft Masterclass invites you to learn the techniques behind whisky, gin, and vodka cocktails from seasoned mixologists. Discover the stories and skills that elevate your drink-making in a historic setting.
Summerhall Distillery is an independent distillery and visitor experience based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The distillery offers a range of guided tours, tastings and masterclasses that showcase small-batch gins, whiskies and cocktail craft. Visitors can join intimate whisky tastings that highlight Scotland’s flavours and folklore, explore the history and production of Pickering’s Gin, or attend hands-on cocktail masterclasses held in a historic distillery setting.
Experiences include themed events such as a Roaring 20s speakeasy evening, a Scottish tapas-style food and whisky pairing, a guided distillery tour with a complimentary G&T, and educational sessions on hand-bottling and spirit-making. The venue partners with local producers for curated food pairings—smoked salmon, cured meats and farmhouse cheeses feature in specific tasting menus—while expert hosts explain flavour profiles, production methods and cultural context.
Summerhall Distillery emphasizes small-batch production and craft techniques. Guests often taste multiple expressions, take home miniature bottles from guided tastings, and leave with practical mixology skills after masterclasses. Tours and events are led by trained guides and mixologists who combine storytelling with technical demonstrations, creating an engaging experience for both visitors and members. The distillery’s programme includes private member welcome tours that offer a personalised look at spirit craftsmanship. Summerhall Distillery provides accessible booking for each listed experience, making it a reliable choice for visitors seeking authentic Scottish spirits and expert-led tasting events.
Many experiences include storytelling, practical distillation demonstrations during tours, tasting notes and sometimes a miniature bottle to take home, helping guests remember production details and tasting impressions after the visit.
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
City-centre distillery access
Tours Offered
7
Guided tastings and masterclasses
Guided Hosts
Expert hosts
Trained guides and mixologists
Small-batch Spirits
Small-batch gins & whiskies
Hand-bottling demonstrations featured
Secure a spot for a tasting, masterclass or private tour at Summerhall Distillery — limited capacity on themed nights and hands-on sessions.
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive 5–10 minutes before the session starts to secure your spot and settle in comfortably.
Bring ID
This is an 18+ event, so bring valid photo ID as proof of legal drinking age in Scotland.
Pace Yourself
With three cocktails served during the session, drink water between tastings to stay hydrated and alert.
Take Notes
Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down cocktail recipes and tips shared by mixologists.
Photo ID
Mandatory for verifying legal drinking age.
Notebook or Phone
Useful for recording recipes and mixology tips.
Comfortable Casual Attire
Dress comfortably for an indoor social experience.
Water Bottle
Stay hydrated between cocktail tastings.