Mix-at-home mentor
When Adam Lantheaume began following cocktail culture in earnest a few years back, he'd go around to his favorite bartenders and ask them how he could replicate their recipes. The only problem was a lot of the specialty ingredients and mixing implements they were using weren't readily available for home use. "Whether it was a Boston shaker or a mint julep cup I'd say, where can I get that? No one consistently stocked them," he said. "Or I'd find things that looked good but weren't functional."
So Lantheaume did what any other serious enthusiast would do and started his own cocktail supplies retailer called The Boston Shaker. Open since December, it occupies space in Grand, the stylish home furnishing and apparel boutique in Somerville's Union Square.
It's a small but well-curated resource for the knowledgeable and neophyte alike. For the latter he's been organizing a series of classes covering everything from home-bar basics (June 22) to cocktail bitters tastings (June 8). There are more than a dozen varieties of bitters to choose from alongside cocktail picks, muddlers, spirit measures, juice squeezers, ice crushers, imported cherries, and more.
People would come in and recognize some of the items for sale, he said, but not know the other stuff. "So I said, what if I put together a class to give people hands-on experience?" Unlike a lot of other classes around town, his are more workshop than demo, walking people through basic bartending terms and techniques.
"The idea is to help people get insight into how to make things at home," Lantheaume said. "It's like a cooking recipe that says 'braise,' but what if you don't know how to braise?"
Other classes to come will focus on the history of cocktails. If talking with Lantheaume about his wares is any indication, he's well-versed, indeed. He's also happy to cater his expertise to private classes. He even does house calls, "whether it's a poker game at home and you want to do some Old Fashioneds or Manhattans, or one where I had ladies who wanted a high tea-based party where we did Earl Grey Martinis."
Classic cocktail techniques have experienced quite a resurgence at local restaurants, and Lantheaume sees no reason why you can't do the same at home.
"It's heading back to a '50s and '60s style," he said. "You come home, have a cocktail, like the 'Mad Men' thing."
Sounds good, but what if you don't know how to get started? A good place to begin might be the Sip and Shop event at Grand tomorrow at 2 p.m., a cocktail reception sponsored by St. Germain and a storewide sale. Or else make an appointment with Lantheaume.
"I'll give people rundowns," he says. "I'll talk them through what will work for them as opposed to a larger store where they don't have the time. I could talk about cocktails all day."
The Boston Shaker, Cocktail Tool and Supply, 374 Somerville Ave., Somerville. 617-623-2429 www.thebostonshaker.com 