Complexities of bourbon explored in next Mix It Up at the Moon where Knob Creek takes the stage

Who’s afraid of the big bad bourbon?

Before you muster up your best “not me,” ask a couple of friends how they feel about bourbon. You might find that a lot of people are intimidated by it. Luckily, the experts behind Plant Riverside’s October Mix It Up at the Moon mixology classes have partnered with Knob Creek to make this complex spirit a little less daunting.

“You know how your grandmother used to say coffee is an acquired taste? Bourbon is definitely the same way,” Plant Riverside Director of Bars and Lounges Marina Ramos said. “You have to pick the right ones and do a little bit of sampling and experimenting with bourbon because all bourbon does not taste the same.”

This barrel-aged spirit has a wide variety of potential ingredients, aging times and other factors that can make it a little unpredictable. The taste can even vary between barrels. Because of this, Ramos said the best way to acquire a taste for bourbon is by sampling different types and brands to see which suits your preferences.

While all these variables make bourbon a little tricky, they also make it the perfect ingredient for Mix It Up at the Moon, where participants can make new drinks that go beyond classic cocktails, such as mint juleps and Manhattans. After all, this isn’t your ordinary cocktail hour. It's an interactive experience, a chance to step outside your comfort zone.

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What's the difference between a bartender and a mixologist?

“People tend to get stuck in the same types of things. If you're a vodka drinker, you only drink vodka. Or you only drink bourbon if you’re a bourbon drinker,” Ramos said. “Mix It Up at the Moon introduces some new brands on the market, gets people familiar with them, and allows you to try some new cocktails.”

The idea of trying new things can be uncomfortable. This is partially a result of uncertainty, especially around unfamiliar terms like “mixologist.”

But never fear. Being a mixologist isn’t quite as daunting (or pretentious) as it sounds. Simply put, a mixologist is a person who mixes drinks with the same attention to quality as a bartender, but a mixologist is a little more involved with their ingredients and flavor profiles as they whip up something new.

“I would equate something like mixology more to how you would refer to someone cooking in a fine dining kitchen as a chef,” Ramos said.

Much like cooking in a fine dining kitchen, Mix It Up at the Moon relies on a team of professionals to craft an all-around delightful experience. Lead bartender Jessica Wiseman and a Knob Creek brand ambassador meet participants at the Electric Moon Skytop Lounge with a welcome cocktail. From there, participants mix and mingle until the class officially begins, sort of like a cocktail party before the cocktail class.

Once everyone is settled at a fire pit table, the ambassadors share information about the brand and star cocktails. Each participant receives a menu card detailing the night’s star recipes, but the recipe isn't your only resource. Rather than tackle the recipe by yourself, you can ask brand ambassadors any questions you might have during and after the cocktail-making process. Their guidance will help you get a better handle on ingredients, garnishes and presentation.

There’s a pretty good chance they’ll learn something from you, too.

“Everybody gets to learn. The brand investors get to learn from the people in front of them. We get to learn what types of products people enjoy, and guests get to learn a little bit about a brand and a space they may not have been familiar with before,” Ramos said.

This dynamic creates a very unique experience. While most large-scale mixology classes focus on the minutiae of craft cocktail-making, Mix It Up at the Moon offers hands-on fun, making the 18-person “classroom” feel more like a playground.

And what’s a classy drink without a tasty snack? Once everyone has completed their first cocktail, participants enjoy the fruits of their labor alongside a delicious dish that Plant Riverside’s culinary department creates specifically for Mix It Up at the Moon. To ensure a harmonious dining experience, the team incorporates the cocktail’s flavor profiles, or the spirit itself, into each dish. Then, when round one is over, the process starts over with a new cocktail and paired dish.

There’s a good chance cocktails aren't the only thing you'll make at Mix It Up at the Moon. The classes are also a great way to make new friends.

“We've had several guests get to know each other across the table while they're making cocktails, and they've come to every single one of the events. It's definitely a friendly community event,” Ramos said.

That community isn’t limited to participants. Brand ambassadors and Electric Moon’s culinary team also get to meet new people and test new recipes. No matter who you ask, Mix It Up at the Moon is a glass-half-full opportunity—in more ways than one.

“I think everybody needs to have a little bit of a creative outlet, or life just gets a little mundane,” Ramos said. “You need a little spice in life, and if mixology and bartending is that for you, then this is an event I would encourage you to attend.”

Bourbon and mixology may be acquired tastes, but both are surprisingly enjoyable with the right company and a little guidance. Whether that enjoyment comes from the taste of a well-made cocktail or the delicious laughter of a new group of friends, Mix It Up at the Moon could help you acquire a taste for something new.

This month’s Mix it Up at the Moon mixology classes begin at 5:30 and 8 p.m., Oct.18. Tickets are $50 per person. For more information, visit plantriverside.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Acquire your taste for bourbon at next Mix It Up at the Moon