Hidden Gems: Meet Eddie Garcia of COCKTAIL U of Arizona

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eddie Garcia.

Hi Eddie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had been tending bar in Arizona for about 18 years. In 2009, I was hired at Gila River Casino’s newest casino. I was hired to work their new concept (at the time) “Classics With a Twist”. The idea was a bar that made classic cocktails and used fresh-pressed juice. This was something very foreign to me as I was brought up by 80s and early 90s bartenders where bottled Margarita mix and Sweet and bottled Sweet and Sour was the order of the day. I reluctantly took the job as it was during the great recession and I had a baby on the way. Initially, I thought to myself how I would take the job until a “real” bartending job would come along. We were expected to make Old Fashioned cocktails, Manhattans, Hemingway Daiquiris, and many other classic cocktails. I remember thinking to myself how no one cared about these drinks and to put them on a menu was at best foolish.

At the same time, my sister sent me a book for my birthday “IMBIBE” by David Wondrich which is basically a chronicle of bartending in the United States. The book and the job changed my life. It showed how rich the history of Spirits and Cocktails were and how it influenced and was influenced by human history. In 2013 I was fortunate enough to land a spot at Jade Bar at the Sanctuary On Camelback, which helped launch the careers of great barmen and women like Jason Asher (Undertow and Century Grand) Micah Olson (AZ Distilling) and Jillian Vose (Dead Rabbit in NYC). While I was there, I taught a weekly class called Mixology 101. This was the impetus of COCKTAIL U. It showed me that teaching about the things I was passionate about (cocktail and spirits history, cocktail structure and philosophy, and the basics of mixing cocktails) could be fun and people wanted to learn about them.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have been very blessed and although COCKTAIL U is really only about a year old the future seems bright. COCKTAIL U and I are fortunate to have friends that have helped support. The Sanctuary On Camelback has given me instant credibility when people ask for my background… It was a great place to foster important relationships and was a great proving ground for what I do now, one being Rick Phillips, owner of the Merc Bar where we hold our weekly Saturday classes. If there is anything I have had struggles with it is social media and navigating things like Instagram, but I am learning as I go. I also think everyone starting their own business is a little taken back by all the little things and small expenses it takes to work for yourself. You think you know but until you’re in it, you have no idea.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about COCKTAIL U of Arizona?
COCKTAIL U offers private in home, corporate and weekly Mixology classes. I think what makes us special is that the approach is “hair down” and approachable. Our classes are based in fun but if a person wants to understand how to make cocktails, they can do that as well. The classes have evolved over time and it has become very hands on and interactive. Guests have bar tools they use real bar ready glassware, learn to measure with jiggers, strain cocktails, garnish. Sometimes crayons and coloring is involved. It’s really a fun time. We use nothing esoteric and we want people to walk away thinking “Hey, I could do that at home”. My proudest moments are when people come up to me or email me saying how they made a certain cocktail and that it really turned out great. My desire is that what they learn from me endures and they share their new skills with their friends and family. I think what’s also nice about what we do is that it’s effortless, we bring everything bar tools, ice, syrups, glassware fresh-pressed juice, everything it takes to make cocktails we bring, we even provide pick up service for the alcohol.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I think one of the biggest lessons learned is more than anything people want to have fun. Although I love cocktail history and teaching my real passion is hospitality. Some groups really want to learn but others want to take boomerangs and pictures and that’s OK. They are with their friends and family and want to have an experience they will remember. In the beginning, it was important to me that people learned something. I realized quickly that it wasn’t about what I wanted it was about what my guest wanted, a lot like bartending. The turning point was when I bought enough tools for everyone to make their own cocktails. This made the classes A LOT more interactive and fun and I think is a key for what we do.

Pricing:

• A group of ten can expect to pay about $60 per person with alcohol and includes 4 cocktails

Contact Info:

• Email: info@cocktailuaz.com
• Website: cocktailuaz.com
• Instagram: @cocktailuaz

Image Credits
Brittney O’Brien