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Shake, stir and sip your way through Key West’s rum heritage in a 90-minute masterclass inside the old U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. Learn techniques, taste local rums like First Legal and Pilar Dark, and walk away with practical mixology skills.
Shake, stir and sip your way through Key West’s rum heritage in a 90-minute masterclass inside the old U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. Learn techniques, taste local rums like First Legal and Pilar Dark, and walk away with practical mixology skills.
The room hums with conversation and the sharp click of shakers as salt air from Front Street slips through a second-floor window. Sunlight catches the brass of bar tools and the dark glint of aged rum, and you can almost feel the island’s maritime past pressing up against the polished counter.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Historic Tours Of America · Key West, Florida
The room hums with conversation and the sharp click of shakers as salt air from Front Street slips through a second-floor window. Sunlight catches the brass of bar tools and the dark glint of aged rum, and you can almost feel the island’s maritime past pressing up against the polished counter.
Set in the old U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters on the corner of Front and Whitehead, this 90-minute masterclass pairs local history with hands-on technique. Instructors introduce styles from light, floral white rums to the molasses-rich depth of Pilar Dark and the smoother profile of First Legal Rum, explaining how sugarcane, aging, and char shape flavor.
Key West’s story — from 19th-century wrecking and trade to modern craft distilling — shows up in every pour. The building’s coastal stone and proximity to the harbor are reminders that rum here is as much a product of tides and trade winds as of stills and barrels.
Expect practical skill-building: muddling, shaking, stirring, and building balanced cocktails. You’ll make two drinks and sample three more while tasting small bites. Classes are wheelchair accessible but strictly 21+, with check-in 30 minutes before start.
Plan logistics: hydrate and pace yourself between tastings, bring government ID, and arrange a sober ride back—Key West is compact but parking is limited. Book in advance; groups are small and spots fill quickly during high season. Whether you’re sharpening home bartending skills or just after a memorable night out, this class delivers technique, local flavor, and a clearer sense of why rum remains central to island culture.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Light physical activity—standing for the session and light manual work mixing drinks.
The masterclass runs about 90 minutes—plan to arrive 30 minutes early to check in.
You’ll create two cocktails, sample three additional drinks, enjoy light snacks and receive take-home swag; a 20% gratuity is included.
Participants must be 21 or older; the venue is wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed.
Yes—non-drinking guests are welcome but must still be 21+; seating and space are limited so book a ticket for each attendee.
The class takes place in the former U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters—Key West’s maritime economy and wrecking trade helped establish rum as a local staple dating back to the 19th century.
Local distillers source cane and recyclable packaging where possible; be mindful of single-use plastics and opt for water and public transit to reduce your footprint.
Historic Tours Of America operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The room hums with conversation and the sharp click of shakers as salt air from Front Street slips through a second-floor window. Sunlight catches the brass of bar tools and the dark glint of aged rum, and you can almost feel the island’s maritime past pressing up against the polished counter.
The room hums with conversation and the sharp click of shakers as salt air from Front Street slips through a second-floor window. Sunlight catches the brass of bar tools and the dark glint of aged rum, and you can almost feel the island’s maritime past pressing up against the polished counter.
Set in the old U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters on the corner of Front and Whitehead, this 90-minute masterclass pairs local history with hands-on technique. Instructors introduce styles from light, floral white rums to the molasses-rich depth of Pilar Dark and the smoother profile of First Legal Rum, explaining how sugarcane, aging, and char shape flavor.
Key West’s story — from 19th-century wrecking and trade to modern craft distilling — shows up in every pour. The building’s coastal stone and proximity to the harbor are reminders that rum here is as much a product of tides and trade winds as of stills and barrels.
Expect practical skill-building: muddling, shaking, stirring, and building balanced cocktails. You’ll make two drinks and sample three more while tasting small bites. Classes are wheelchair accessible but strictly 21+, with check-in 30 minutes before start.
Plan logistics: hydrate and pace yourself between tastings, bring government ID, and arrange a sober ride back—Key West is compact but parking is limited. Book in advance; groups are small and spots fill quickly during high season. Whether you’re sharpening home bartending skills or just after a memorable night out, this class delivers technique, local flavor, and a clearer sense of why rum remains central to island culture.