The world of whiskey can feel daunting — how it's made, how to talk about it, what makes a brand better than another, and how it goes best in drinks — unless you have a framework to understand it. In this class, taught by Ruby member Shanna Farrell, you'll get a primer on the history of whiskey production in the U.S., learn the basics of what makes whiskey a bourbon, rye, or single malt, how to describe it, and some tips on how to order it in a cocktail. And you'll learn how to make a cocktail yourself, so you can whip up fantastic drinks for friends at home.

About Shanna Farrell

Shanna Farrell is an interviewer at UC Berkeley's Oral History Center, where she works on a wide variety of projects and specializes in contemporary cocktail culture. She is the author of Bay Area Cocktails.Her writing has appeared in Imbibe, PUNCH, Gravy, The San Francisco Chronicle, and Edible San Francisco.