Mixology 101

There were two wine glasses on the bar; both empty. Hops looked at Ezra excitedly and put her hands on the surface, pulling a face as she came very close to knocking a glass over.

“Soooo~ I was thinking about teaching you how to make Sinnamon Whiskey, but I realised just before you arrived- I’ve run out of cinnamon and stock doesn’t come in until later. Last minute changes, it’ll be Iris Coffee!” Hops paused as Ezra sat down at the bar. “Ah! It’d be easier if you came round here. I’ll show you step by step, and then you’ll do the same. Feel free to ask for help though! It’s not a test!”

Ezra moved around the bar and stood next to Hops.

“Right! I’m ready!” They seemed a little wary.

“Don’t worry, it’s easier than Dango.” Hops winked and grinned, Ezra felt like he’d just died inside.

“Was I that bad?” They put their hands to their face. Hops just laughed and turned away from Ezra to collect ingredients. Whisky, Coffee and a bag of their special, secret ingredient.

“You weren’t the worst, from what I've heard. But you’re up there.” She joked. “But hey, practice makes perfect! AW SHIT-” There was a crash and a groan.

“Everything alright?” Ezra turned to see a broken bottle of whiskey on the floor; they pursed their lips together, trying not to laugh. 

“There goes another one. I suppose practice doesn’t perfect everything.” She sighed and put the premade coffee and bag on the counter, moving over to grab a pan and brush to clean up the glass and then a mop to wipe down the whiskey puddle. 

“Right, okay. Let’s not do that again.” Hops picked up an unopened bottle of whiskey from the shelf, setting it carefully on the bar.

“I suppose that happens often?”

“More than I’d like to admit.”She chuckled and leaned against the bar. “You know how to make coffee don’t you?” She stood up straight and smiled as Ezra nodded. “Great! Cause I’ve already done that step to quicken up the process for us both. Did you know this drink in particular is a collaboration between Beanny and I?” 

“I mean it makes sense, it’s not often you see a bar selling hot coffee based drinks. Alcoholic or not. Some do I suppose, but- y’know.” Hops nodded and picked up the coffee decanter and poured it directly into the wine glass.

“Only half fill the glass, we’ve still got to add the whiskey and all that.” Hops finished pouring and set the glass jug down and picked up the whiskey bottle. “I’ll get a shot glass for you so you can measure it properly, but you wanna do about 3oz of whiskey- or two shots and then~” Ezra watched and listened eagerly. They’d been so interested in bartending; and if they hadn’t become a hairdresser, they’d definitely consider doing this- depending on how well they did.

After the mess that was the scene in Dan’s Dango, he didn’t want to jinx himself. Hops lifted the bottle and poured straight from it.

“Please use the shot glass when you’re doing it-” She piped up when putting the whiskey down. “-Then you’re gonna want a generous amount of this beauty!” She held up a little purple and pink bag adorned with a black bow. Ezra found it cute how it resembled her.

“What exactly is in it?”

“Nobody knows~” Hops stuck her tongue out as Ezra pouted, adding a bunch of whatever the ingredient was. She picked up a stirring spoon from a glass underneath the bar and stirred. “Mix, mix, mix~” She sang. “This next part is the most annoying part, because you don't want the cream liquor curdling with the coffee, so what I tend to do is-” She looked at the bar frowning. “Did I not bring the liquor over? I swore I did.”

Ezra chuckled. “No, you didn’t.”

“Aw crap, alright, well you get the liquor, get a spoon, put it over the glass- back side up and pour the liquor over it. Slowly. Otherwise it will curdle and it just looks awful when it does that.” Hops moved back to the shelf and picked up a bottle of cream liquor and another spoon. “Your turn!”

Ezra looked like a rabbit caught in headlights for a moment, nodding and looking down at the empty wine glass. They picked up the coffee decanter and poured the contents into the glass, stopping just over halfway. Hops watched closely, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Next, two shots of Whiskey-” He looked around for the shot glass. “I think you forgot to get me the shot glass.”

“Oh fuck, yeah. Sorry!” Hops once again moved away, returning with a shot glass that Ezra used to carefully measure out a shot, pouring them both into the glass. 

“And now, that stuff-” Ezra picked up the bag and scooped out a good amount, putting it into the drink as if they were just putting sugar in their morning coffee.

He picked up the stirring spoon and mixed it thoroughly, making sure everything was well mixed in. 

Now came the part that Hops hadn’t even shown him how to do. They took the clean spoon and positioned it over the top of the coffee/whiskey mixture, proceeding to slowly pour the cream liquor on top, watching intently as it gently settled on top of the coffee. No signs of curdling anywhere.

Ezra looked surprised.

And to be completely honest. So did Hops.

When Ezra had set the bottle down, Hops made an excited squeal. “You did it! And it looks fucking amazing. Almost as good as me.” She poked her tongue out. “At least now I can brag to Dan that I’m a better teacher than he is.” Ezra stared at the drink for a little, actually dumbfounded that he’d done it. “If you ever get tired of the hairdressing stuff~” Hops trailed off. “You could always work here, plus you’d get to wear one of these sexy little outfits. I think it’d look good on you.”