Bartending Classes

Arlo had signed up for the classes last minute. He didn't really do much, and he didn't have many friends, but Hops had told him about the classes they were offering and suggested it might be a good place to start. Or maybe she was just trying to sell her lessons, and Arlo couldn't fault her for that. A gal had to make a living, didn't she? 

And Arlo had to figure out how to occupy his time, so mixology lessons it was. 

Of course, when he shows up to The Rabbit Hole, he isn't expecting it to be pretty much empty. The door is unlocked though,so surely the lessons are still on. 

“Hops?” He calls out, bouncing gently on the balls of his feet. “You in here?” 

“Just in the back!” He hears her holler in response. “Just settle in, I'll be right out. Lock the door behind you, please!” 

Arlo does just that, clicking the deadbolt behind him before he settles at the bar, laying out a notebook in front of him. He'd watched videos last night in preparation, but he doubted it would be the same. Hops made all her drinks special, and he was sure there'd be differences. He just hoped the mini lessons did more good than harm. 

“Ah, sorry,” Hops says as she comes out, balancing a tray full of glasses and ingredients on one hand. “There were supposed to be one or two more taking the lesson today, but they seemed to have skipped out. Sucks for them, I guess, cause I'm not offering refunds.” 

Hops sets the tray on the bar and lays things out. It seems like she's gotten two of everything for the drink they'll be making today. “Well?” She asks, tail swishing behind her impatiently. “Aren't you coming back here?” 

Arlo jostles, startled that he's being invited behind the bar. “Right, sorry. I guess I just thought I'd be watching you make drinks and talk.” 

Hops laughs softly, shaking her head as Arlo rounds the bar, finding a spot beside her. “Oh, no. We're hopping right into this, bay-bee.” 

“Eheh. Hopping.” Arlo snickers, leaning onto the bar to peek at Hop's items. 

It looks simple enough. Two snifter glasses filled with ice, gin, tonic water, and two limes. It seemed they'd be making a sin and tonic today. 

“Sin and Tonic.” Hops says proudly, leaning on the bar with her elbow. “It's an easy drink, nothing too crazy. No elaborate mixing or decorations. Anyone can make it, and if you can't, well. Try again. Just watch me.” 

Hops gets to work. Her movements are quick and precise, and Arlo does his best to actually focus on what she's doing. Drinking was a large vice in Byrrowgatory, this felt like it should come naturally, but he supposed bartending was still a learned skill, and Hops had been doing it for a long time. 

Hops goes about pouring the gin first. “So, your usual Sin and Tonic is going to be on the rocks, which just means with ice. You'll just pour your gin in your glass. The ratio I use is one to three. One part gin to two parts tonic water, okay? This can be adjusted to taste if you'd like, though.” 

Arlo grabs his own glass, peering at it before his attention turns back to Hops. 

“You can use a bar spoon to keep the fizz if that's something you're interested in. The gin we use here is usually high shelf, but you can use a mid shelf gin too.” Hops continues, busying herself pouring tonic water over a bar spoon into the gin. She slides those over to Arlo, so he can follow her lead. 

She reaches for one of the limes next, making quick work of cutting it into little slices. “Again, up to your own preferences. You can add a wedge on the corner, or a whole slice. If you want, you can squeeze a bit of lime juice in there too, if you want.” 

Arlo follows Hop's instructions as she watches. His spoon is shaky as he pours the tonic water over the spoon, splashing a bit onto the counter, but Hops doesn't seem to mind the little mess. She simply nods her approval as Arlo cuts the lime and adds a wedge to the glass. 

“Perfect. You'll be a star bartender in no time.” Hops says, grinning as she picks up her drink. “Go on, drink it. You deserve it.” 

Arlo grins as he picks up his own Sin and Tonic, taking a sip. He scrunches his nose, bringing a hand to his mouth, cheeks pink with embarrassment. “I think there's too much gin.” 

Hops’ laughter fills the empty bar. “That's alright. You'll get there, Arlo. We can try something a little harder in a bit.”