Mad Scientist Cocktail and Mocktail Lab

Greenfire Workshops is bringing the Mad Scientist Cocktail and Mocktail Lab to the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle/Northgate on Wednesday, October 7. It's set up as an experimental mixology workshop where you spend the session playing and inventing your own drinks rather than following a set recipe. The "lab" part isn't just for show, either: you'll have access to hundreds of ingredients to work with, including fresh herbs, spices, teas, spirits, fresh fruit, bitters, garnishes, and powders. There are also test tubes and smoking guns for infusing liquids and solids, so you can get as technical as you want.

One of the better things about the format is that it's a judgment-free zone. Whether you've never made a drink in your life or you're already comfortable behind a bar, the focus is on your own mixology goals. Instruction is included, so if you're starting from scratch, there's someone there to help you figure out what works. And since it's a cocktail and mocktail lab, you can spend the whole time on non-alcoholic drinks if that's your speed.

There are a few practical things to keep in mind. Only guests 21 and over may consume alcohol, though the mocktail side of the lab is open to everyone. The experience is conducted in English, and a selection of complimentary snacks is included with your spot. It's a hands-on session, so come ready to actually make things rather than just watch. The lab runs on Wednesday, October 7, at the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle/Northgate.