An online speakeasy of potent potables and other pabulam.

This has been a week of site announcements! We’ve added a contributing authors page to the Den for friends who would like to share their thoughts on cocktails, mixology, the DC restaurant/bar scene, cigars, etc.

I’d like to introduce everyone to our first contributing author Ashley Schmidt. Ashley, meet everyone. Everyone, meet Ashley.

Ashley is a bartender at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, DC and will be contributing articles on Scofflaws Den from time to time. She’ll be writing about her experiences behind a small intimate cocktail bar and a faster paced high-volume cocktail bar. She’s also free to share her thoughts on cocktails, spirits and mixology in general. Here is her bio:

Ashley is a craft cocktail bartender at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington DC.  How did this all begin?  She started as a shot girl on the weekends at Martini Bar in Florida and slowly worked herself up the ranks as customers took to her charm and charisma for life. Her love for craft cocktails began in Washington DC at a small craft cocktail den on Mount Pleasant Street called Last Exit.  It was here she learned the art of mixing cocktails and gained understanding of the meticulousness of each spirit’s essence. This neighborhood bar gave her the time to practice and create.  Almost a year later she would approach Jack Rose Dining Saloon to begin a new chapter in her bartending:: mixing craft cocktails and catering to high volume patrons.

Her love for bartending can be related to her love for the world of science.  In her mind, creating cocktails is like understanding the art of science; it needs to be appreciated and understood done to the smallest nitty gritty details.  Having an academic background, with a masters from Tulane in public health, she currently works another job in the pursuit of a global health career as well.  Ashley has a love for helping people and making life more beautiful along the way.  Bottoms up and cheers to discovering a whole new world.

After the success of the last several classes we’ve had partnered up with Last Exit I’m very happy to announce a new series of class that will take us into July 2012!

Along with a mainstay, Home Bartending Basics, I’m very excited about offering classes on tiki drinks, punch, tequila/mezcal and spirits from the good ole USA! The schedule is below and you can also click here to head over to our Classes and Consulting page.

May 5, 2012 at 3:30pm:  Spirits of Mexico

Celebrate Mexican heritage with a discussion on the national spirits of Mexico, tequila and mezcal. We will discuss, and taste, the differences between tequila and mezcal and learn how to use them in cocktails. We will also learn the importance of quality in these spirits and how important they are to many of the small villages who make artisanal tequila and mezcal.

Please note that this class begins at 3:30pm at Last Exit.
This class is $50 per student and limited to only 10 students.

May 19, 2012: Punch into Spring

When entertaining at home, having a punch or two for your guests keeps you chatting with them instead of stuck in the kitchen mixing drinks. In this class, learn the history of punch and the basics to punch making. This is not your parents neon green sherbet-topped fruit punch or the Rubbermaid tub of anything goes punch from your college days! This punch is based in traditional cocktail methods and culinary flavors.

Class begins at 5:30pm at Last Exit.
This class is $50 per student and limited to 10 students.

June 3, 2012: Bitters

If you enjoy cocktails and have always wanted to know about the dash or two of mysterious elixir your bartender is adding to your drink, this class will let you in on the secret. Learn and taste different types of bitters, their uses and the history of bitters. You’ll also learn some tips and tricks on making your own bitters at home.

Class is on June 3, 2012 and limited to 10 people, so get your tickets quick!

Cost: $50 per student
Where: Last Exit, 3155 Mount Pleasant Street, N.W., Washington, DC
When: June 3, 2012 at 5:30 pm

June 24, 2012 and July 15, 2012: Tiki Lounge

Summer is here and what better way to celebrate than relax with an icy, fruity, boozy tiki drink? This summer when you invite friends and family over for a cook-out and some drinks, throw in a touch of Polynesia by serving the best tiki drinks around! Learn the history of tiki drinks, the tricks to making them and how Tiki became synonymous with Americana.

Choose whichever date fits your schedule!
Each class begins at 5:30pm at Last Exit.
This class is $50 per student and each class is limited to 10 students.

July 1, 2012: All-American Spirits

Celebrate the forthcoming July 4th holiday with a class on the greatest gift America bestowed on the world – Cocktails! We’ll discuss how American ingenuity propagated the cocktail phenomena worldwide and sample some of the best American made spirits.

Class begins at 5:30pm at Last Exit.
This class is $50 per student and limited to 10 students.

We’re adding a new dimension to Scofflaw’s Den today that I’m extremely excited about.  We are now offering cocktail-related classes and consulting services! Whether you want to learn about bitters, learn about the tools and spirits needed to make Mad Men-style cocktails at home or learn the differences among types of spirits, we will be offering a class for you.  If you are building a home bar or just looking to add to an existing home bar, we will help you decide on what spirits and tools to buy, how to set-up your bar and how to mix drinks like the pros.  Additionally, if you are looking for custom cocktails for an event, contact us and we will work with you to create any number of cocktails using your preferences that will make your event even more special.

Each class is $45 per student and will be limited to 6 to 10 students depending on space.  Payment for classes will need to be made prior to class in order to reserve your spot.  Cost of consulting services will be based on your individual project and goals.  Classes will be held at Last Exit and the schedule will be announced as a post here on the Den and on the Scofflaw’s Den Facebook page.  If you are interested in setting up a class or tasting at your home, we can arrange that as well.  To sign up for a class or consulting service, please email Marshall@ScofflawsDen.com.

For more details on individual classes, new classes and consulting services, please check here.

Our Bitters class will be offered on February 12, 2012 at 5:30pm. Come learn everything you wanted to know (and probably more) about bitters! An essential class for anyone interested cocktails.  This class also makes a great early Valentine’s Day gift for that cocktail lover in your life.

Where: Last Exit, 3155 Mount Pleasant Street, N.W., Washington, DC
When: February 12, 2012 @ 5:30pm
Class is limited to 10 people, so sign up early!  Email Marshall@ScofflawsDen.com

Hope to see you on February 12!  Cheers!