Listen, learn, sip, repeat

Mixology Mondays to school drinkers

Oxley Gin to bring the good stuff to the February 22 Mixology Monday at Downtown Cocktail Room.

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 | 12:05 a.m.

Poised to celebrate its third birthday Thursday, February 25, Downtown Cocktail Room is one-upping even itself with the addition of the "Listen & Learn" hour to the popular monthly Mixology Monday (MixMo) evening of handcrafted cocktails.

While it certainly could be said that any visit to Downtown Cocktail Room is an evening of handcrafted cocktails, MixMo takes cocktailing one step further by partnering with a featured premium spirit like this month's Oxley Classic English Gin and welcoming to the bar a guest bartender like this month's Andrew Pollard of Noir Bar.

The latest MixMo installation, on February 22, will kick off the new "Listen & Learn" hour, which gives the guest mixologist a chance to prepare and explain his or her menu of four specialty cocktails to those aficionados who want to know more about the spirits, the process and the method behind the evening's menu.

"During that time," explains DCR owner Michael Cornthwaite, "they can ask questions and learn as opposed to just drinking a new set of cocktails." While dedicated cocktailians always ask questions of their bartenders, the guest mixologists — working in foreign territory — will no doubt appreciate getting some intimate time with their most appreciative audience members.

The next Mixology Monday will take place March 29 featuring Aperol and guest 'tender Armando Rosario of Southern Wine & Spirits. The following month, Rhumbar's Kristen Schaefer will show off her talents with Sailor Jerry Rum on April 26.