Barcelona: Cocktail Class Workshop – Make Shake Cook & Paint

This is a cocktail class with a few surprises tucked between the shakers. At Sacsejar’s speakeasy workshop, you make three signature drinks with help from host Jon, then try techniques that bring in cooking and UV painting. I like the mix of hands-on instruction and playful touches, and the locally sourced ingredients give the drinks a sense of place.

I also like that the class includes a welcome glass of cava, light snacks, and the recipes to take home. One thing to weigh: at $71 per person, this is a social night out as much as a lesson, and extra cocktails after the class cost more.

• Three drinks, not just demonstrations: You make and shake three signature cocktails yourself.
• A candy kitchen after dark: The workshop takes place at Çukor, a sweets kitchen that becomes a speakeasy-style venue at night.
• Cooking and UV painting: The class mixes cocktail craft with theatrical, hands-on techniques.
• A host with bar experience: Jon leads the session, backed by mixologists with a combined 20 years of experience in London bars.
• Cava, snacks, and a recipe PDF: Those extras are included, while post-class cocktails are not.
• English first, Spanish by request: Classes are taught in English, with explanations available in Spanish.

A cocktail class with a little theater

Sacsejar is built around participation. Instead of watching a bartender work while you stand back, you make three cocktails under guidance, learning how ingredients and techniques come together. The class also folds in stories, games, friendly competition, and a touch of magic.

That mix matters if you want more than a recipe lesson. You get a chance to ask questions and try things for yourself, but the evening is designed to be entertaining, too. The creative format is a good fit for a date, a night with friends, or a group activity where conversation is part of the point.

The drinks are described as innovative and locally minded, using products sourced nearby. That kilometre-zero approach gives the class a Barcelona connection without turning it into a formal lecture about food culture. You can expect some context about the drinks and their traditions, alongside practical tips from behind the bar.

The event is held at Çukor Candy Kitchen, a working sweets business by day that changes into a speakeasy-style workshop at night. That shift sets the scene for the class: this is not a standard bar counter and stool setup. The venue’s identity as a place for candies, cakes, and treats fits the experimental mood, though the main attraction is still making and tasting the cocktails.

Starting with cava at Çukor

The meeting point is Çukor Candy Kitchen in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, also known as El Gòtic. You begin with a glass of cava, which gives the group an easy way to settle in before the class gets underway. A selection of light snacks is included as well. Past menus have included popcorn, olives, and fuet, but the exact snacks may vary.

The venue’s speakeasy feel is part of the appeal. Çukor is not presented as a conventional cocktail bar; the workshop takes place in a tucked-away space behind the candy kitchen’s daytime business. That makes the setting feel different from a lesson in a hotel bar or a large commercial venue. It is a small detail, but one that helps the evening feel like its own event.

The experience is described as small-group in practice, though no maximum group size is specified. If you prefer a private event, private groups are available. The host’s welcome and the chance to meet other participants are a natural part of the format, so solo visitors need not arrive with a ready-made group. One solo participant specifically described feeling welcomed, and the class includes plenty of opportunities to talk along the way.

Making three signature cocktails

The central part of the workshop is making three cocktails, each with its own character. Jon guides you through the steps and shares tips, tricks, and bar techniques as you work. You are not simply handed a drink and told what is in it. The point is to make the cocktails yourself, so you can see how the parts fit together and take the recipes home for another try.

The drinks are not standard bar classics alone. The class promises creative signature cocktails, and named favorites include Frambuesa Fresca, described as fresh and fruity, and Correfoc. The names and recipes may change, so do not book expecting a fixed menu. The class’s experimental approach is part of its appeal: you get something less familiar than a basic mojito or gin and tonic lesson.

One cocktail involves cooking in the dark, while another uses UV light and painting. These techniques make the session more playful than a straight mixology class, and they give you a reason to pay attention to both appearance and flavor. The precise steps and drinks are not specified in advance, so you should expect the instructor to reveal the details during the workshop rather than assume every session follows an identical script.

The class also includes a bit of friendly competition, short stories, and magic. Those elements are there to keep the pace lively, not to replace the actual instruction. If you enjoy learning by doing, the balance should suit you. If you want a quiet, technical seminar on spirits and measurements, this is probably not the right format.

What the cooking and UV painting add

The cooking and painting are what make the workshop distinct. Cooking one cocktail in the dark adds a small element of surprise, while painting a drink under UV light brings color and visual flair into the process. These are not just photo opportunities: they are part of how the class turns cocktail-making into an activity you take part in, rather than a demonstration you watch.

The experience combines art, science, mixology, and a bit of magic. That description points to a class with a lively, theatrical tone. Expect to handle ingredients and tools, follow instructions, and take part in the process. You will also have time to taste each creation, which is useful when you are learning how balance and flavor work together.

The host’s stories add context without requiring you to arrive with specialist knowledge. The class draws on cocktail history and local traditions, but it remains informal. That makes it accessible for a beginner while still giving a more experienced home bartender new ideas to try.

The host and the pace of the evening

Jon is the named host and a key part of the experience. The class is led by award-winning mixologists with a combined 20 years of experience working in London bars. That background supports the practical side of the session: you can expect more than a recipe read aloud, with tips and demonstrations woven into the activity.

The tone is meant to be friendly, not stiff or showy. The class uses humor, stories, games, and occasional magic to keep people involved. That can be a real advantage if you are booking for a birthday, hen or stag gathering, team event, or a night out with friends. It gives a group something to do together beyond ordering drinks and finding a table.

The pace also leaves room for conversation. You may arrive with your own party, but you can also meet others while making drinks. For solo visitors, the shared activity gives an easy way to join in without needing to carry the evening socially on your own.

Classes are taught in English, and the instructor can explain things in Spanish. If you need a class conducted only in Spanish, or want a bespoke menu or a different time, contact Sacsejar before booking. The standard class is not presented as a Spanish-only session.

Snacks, a farewell chupito, and the recipe book

The included extras help round out the evening. You get a welcome glass of cava, a selection of light snacks, and a farewell chupito. That final small drink is part of the experience, while any additional cocktails ordered after the class ends are extra.

The snacks are useful because you are tasting several drinks over 2.5 hours. They are described as a light selection rather than a full meal, so plan to eat beforehand if you expect to need dinner. Do not treat the class as a substitute for a restaurant meal.

You also receive a PDF recipe book. That is one of the more practical inclusions: you can revisit the techniques and make the drinks again at home, rather than relying on memory after a lively night. The recipes make the class more than a one-off tasting, especially if you like hosting friends or experimenting with cocktails in your own kitchen.

Is $71 a fair price?

At $71 per person, this is not a budget way to have a drink in Barcelona. The value comes from the full 2.5-hour activity: three cocktails that you make yourself, a welcome glass of cava, snacks, a farewell chupito, instruction from experienced mixologists, and a PDF recipe book. You are paying for the hosted experience and the unusual techniques, not just the alcohol.

I would see the price as reasonable if you want a structured, social evening and expect to take part throughout. It is less compelling if you only want to taste cocktails or are looking for a low-cost bar stop. Extra drinks after the class are not included, so keep that in mind if you plan to stay on.

For a group celebration, the interactive format can make the cost easier to justify: everyone has something to do, and the games and shared recipes give the evening a common thread. Couples and solo visitors can also enjoy the class, though the social atmosphere is part of what you are paying for.

Who will enjoy this workshop

This class suits adults who like cocktails, hands-on activities, and a relaxed social setting. It is especially well matched to couples, friends, hen and stag groups, team-building outings, and solo visitors who are comfortable joining a group. Children under 18 are not suitable for the activity.

You do not need to know your way around a bar to take part. The instructor explains the process, and the experience is designed to teach tips as you go. More experienced cocktail fans may appreciate the unusual methods and creative drinks, though the workshop is more about participation and fun than advanced technical training.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, or need a vegan or non-alcoholic option, tell the provider in advance. The standard experience includes alcoholic drinks, so ask before booking if you need an alternative. This is a sensible step, not a detail to leave until you arrive.

Should you book Sacsejar?

Book it if you want an evening that blends cocktail-making with games, stories, food, and a little visual theater. The setting at Çukor and the cooking and UV painting give it more personality than a basic bar class, while the recipes and instruction offer something useful to take home.

Choose another activity if you want a quiet tasting, a full dinner, or a class focused only on classic recipes. At $71, the experience makes the most sense when you value the social side as much as the drinks. For an engaging night in the Gothic Quarter, Sacsejar offers a lively way to spend 2.5 hours and leave with three new recipes to try.

FAQ

How long does the cocktail workshop last?

The experience lasts 2.5 hours.

How many cocktails do I make?

You make three signature cocktails during the class.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the 2.5-hour experience, three cocktails, a welcome glass of cava, light snacks, and a PDF recipe book. A farewell chupito is also included.

Are drinks after the class included?

No. Additional cocktails ordered after the class ends are not included in the price.

What languages are available?

Classes are taught in English, and the instructor can explain things in Spanish. For a Spanish-only class, contact Sacsejar in advance.

Can I request a vegan or non-alcoholic option?

Yes, but you should advise the provider in advance about allergies, dietary restrictions, vegan needs, or a request for a non-alcoholic option.