Shake, Sip, Repeat: St. Petersburg Distillery Cocktail Course with Courtney

St. Petersburg Distillery Cocktail Course is a 90-minute hands-on mixology class held at St. Petersburg Distillery in St. Petersburg, Florida. Located a short ride from downtown hotels and the waterfront, the course blends instruction, tasting, and a mini tour of the distillery lab. Led by Courtney—who built a nationally recognized cocktail lounge and fry bar in Wilmington, North Carolina and then sold it in 2024 to pursue new projects in St Pete—this session teaches two signature cocktails using the distillery’s made-in-house spirits. The class is deliberately small (maximum 15 guests) so you spend more time learning technique than watching. You’ll muddle, shake, build layered flavors with fresh-squeezed juices and house-made syrups, and pause between cocktails to taste and compare. A small gift included at the end means you can re-create one recipe at home. What makes this experience stand out in St. Petersburg’s thriving craft-drink scene is the combination of practical instruction and access to production. Copper stills and stainless tanks frame the tasting bar; racks of labeled bottles and a clear view into the distillery lab make the process visible and tangible. Rather than a polished, anonymous tasting room, this feels like a working workshop where place-specific ingredients—Florida citrus, local botanicals—drive flavor choices. That connection to local product makes the cocktails feel like a direct expression of the city. The course suits beginners and adventurous home bartenders alike: it’s hands-on without requiring professional skill, and it’s a social way to learn with friends or on a date night. Practical details matter—the class runs about 1.5 hours, is restricted to guests 21 and older, and allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the class. Accessibility details are not listed in the supplied information; inquire directly with the host if you have specific needs. If you care about craft spirits, or you just want a memorable evening that pairs tasting with technique, this is an efficient, flavorful way to learn. It’s a compact, expert-led experience that sends you home with a recipe card and a small gift—an invitation to keep experimenting. For travelers staying in or near St. Petersburg, this class is an ideal indoor complement to sun and shoreline days: a lively, local-flavor moment that puts a small-batch distillery at the center of the city’s culinary story. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to check in, bring a government-issued photo ID (the class is 21+). Wear closed-toe shoes if you will be standing, and consider a light jacket for cooler evenings in Florida. The tasting portion moves at a measured pace, but expect bursts of hands-on instruction and guided tasting; bring curiosity and questions, and consider booking with friends who want to learn together. Book early on weekend nights.