Reviewed by Mathew Benoit, COO of Learn Brands ยท October 2026
A guest orders a Margarita and asks for it not too sweet. Another wants an Old Fashioned the way it used to be made. A regular asks why her Martini tastes different on Tuesdays. Each of those moments comes down to the same few things: the right spec, the right ice, the right glass, and a bartender who knows why.
Mixology 101 is a free bartending course that teaches the tools, technique, and 25 classic cocktails every bartender should know, plus four zero-proof drinks, hospitality, responsible service, and the business side of the bar. It takes about 90 minutes, self-paced, across 15 short narrated lessons.
What you'll learn
Fifteen lessons that move from the station to the guest to the bottom line.
Behind the bar (Lessons 1 to 6). The tools and how to measure with a jigger, ice and technique (when to shake, stir, build, or muddle, and how to strain), glassware and bar language (up, neat, on the rocks, dry, dirty, a twist), the base spirits and modifiers behind every recipe, and how to make syrups, juice citrus, and set up a station before the rush.
The guest (Lessons 7 and 8). Hospitality that turns a first visit into a regular, the allergens that hide in cocktails (egg white, nut-based syrups, dairy), and the basics of serving alcohol responsibly.
The classics (Lessons 9 to 13). Twenty-five cocktails taught by family, with a short history and the spec for each: sours like the Whiskey Sour, Margarita, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Cosmopolitan, and Mai Tai; stirred and spirit-forward drinks like the Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Mint Julep, Manhattan, Martini, Negroni, and Boulevardier; highballs and Collins drinks like the Gin and Tonic, Moscow Mule, Tom Collins, Mojito, Paloma, and Bloody Mary; and sparkling, coffee, and cream drinks like the Aperol Spritz, French 75, Mimosa, Espresso Martini, Irish Coffee, and White Russian. Lesson 13 adds four zero-proof drinks: the Nojito, Virgin Mary, Shirley Temple, and Arnold Palmer.
Real shifts (Lesson 14). The dos and don'ts that separate a good bartender from a great one, then a choose-your-path practice scenario with a guest at the bar, scored with coaching on every choice.
The business of bartending (Lesson 15). How a bar actually makes money, what pour cost is and why a heavy free pour hurts the business, and how to batch drinks for volume without losing consistency.
How the course works
Each lesson is a short narrated walkthrough with photos of every drink in its proper glass, ice, and garnish. Hands-on activities keep it moving: tap the tools and glassware to learn each one, flip recipe cards, and put steps in order. Lessons unlock as you finish them.
It closes with a 15-question final quiz. Twelve correct passes. It is online and self-paced, and it works on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
Who this is for
New bartenders and barbacks, servers stepping behind the bar, and managers who need a consistent way to onboard bar staff. It also fits retail and distributor teams who sell spirits and field cocktail questions every day, and anyone who wants to make a proper drink at home.
What you walk away with
You'll be able to measure and pour accurately, choose the right technique and glass for any classic, make 25 cocktails and four zero-proof drinks to spec, read a guest and serve responsibly, and explain how pour cost and batching affect a bar's bottom line.
Free to enroll. Self-paced. Certificate on completion.
Want the specs in front of you? Read our guide to the 25 classic cocktails every bartender should know and grab the free printable spec sheet.
Who built this course
Mixology 101 was created by the Learn Brands education team under the direction of Mathew Benoit, COO and Creative Director of Learn Brands. Mathew grew up working in his family's liquor store and spent more than ten years on the distributor side of the beverage alcohol business, including eight years as a marketing director and work representing national brands. The course is built from what bartenders, managers, and sales reps actually get asked on the floor.
How we checked the recipes
Every spec was reviewed against the International Bartenders Association (IBA) official cocktail list wherever an IBA spec exists, then checked line by line for build order, shake and stir rules, straining, glassware, and garnish. Measurements are given in ounces. Each photo was chosen to match its recipe's glass, ice, and garnish, so what you see is what you should serve.
Responsible service
The course covers responsible service as general education. Alcohol service laws vary by state and city, and many states require an approved server permit. Check your local requirements before you pour.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Mixology 101 FAQ
Is this bartending course free?
Yes. Mixology 101 is part of the free Core Education Suite, free to take and free to assign to your team. No cost, no subscription, no card required. A certificate is issued on completion.
How long does it take?
About 90 minutes, self-paced: 15 short narrated lessons and a 15-question final quiz. You can stop and pick up where you left off.
Do I need bar experience?
No. The course starts with the tools and builds from there, so it works for a first shift. Experienced bartenders use it to tighten up specs and to train new staff the same way every time.
Which cocktails are covered?
Twenty-five classics: Whiskey Sour, Margarita, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Cosmopolitan, Mai Tai, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Mint Julep, Manhattan, Martini, Negroni, Boulevardier, Gin and Tonic, Moscow Mule, Tom Collins, Mojito, Paloma, Bloody Mary, Aperol Spritz, French 75, Mimosa, Espresso Martini, Irish Coffee, and White Russian. Plus four zero-proof drinks: the Nojito, Virgin Mary, Shirley Temple, and Arnold Palmer.
When should a cocktail be shaken instead of stirred?
Shake drinks that contain citrus, juice, dairy, or egg. Shaking chills, dilutes, and adds air, which gives those drinks their bright, frothy texture. Stir drinks made only of spirits, liqueurs, vermouth, or bitters, like a Manhattan or Negroni, so they stay clear and silky. Lesson 3 shows both.
Why does pour accuracy matter so much?
Every drink on a menu is priced against what goes into it. A heavy free pour gives away product on every round, makes drinks inconsistent from one bartender to the next, and can over-serve guests. Lesson 15 walks through pour cost and how a jigger protects the guest, the drink, and the business.
Is this a bartending license or alcohol server certification?
Mixology 101 gives you a Learn Brands certificate of completion. A state-required server permit is a separate credential. For that, see TIPS On-Premise Alcohol Server Training and our guide to TIPS certification.
Can I enroll my whole team?
Yes. Create a free company account, assign the course, and track who has started and finished from the Learn Brands dashboard.
Get certified
Serving drinks? TIPS On-Premise Alcohol Server Training is the responsible alcohol service certification many bars and restaurants require. Buying for a team? Register your business free and assign seats across your whole staff.
Related courses
Build your spirits knowledge with Spirits 101, Whiskeys of The World 101, Gin: Botanicals & Backbone, and Liqueurs: Flavor, Formula & Finish, and sharpen your palate with The Professional's Guide to Alcohol Tasting. Browse the free Core Education Suite.
About the reviewer
Mathew Benoit is COO of Learn Brands. He has a family liquor store background, spent more than eight years as Marketing Director at the distributor Vinocopia, and has represented brands nationally. Read Mathew's full bio.
