ICA First Fridays: Mixology

Boston's best mixologists take over the Water Café for an evening dedicated to the art of the craft cocktail.

Cocktail-making demonstrations held every 1/2 hour between 6-8:30pm:

• Matt Schrage from Brasstacks (6:00 and 7:30pm) demonstrates a variation of an Old-Fashioned with madeira and Jamaican rum
• John Gertsen from Drink (7:00 and 8:30pm) demonstrates a "ginger beer concoction"
• Sam Treadway from Backbar (6:30 and 8:00pm) demonstrates a Whiskey Squash

The complimentary drink will be a flight of three mini craft cocktails, one of each drink created by the mixologists. 

Bios

JOHN GERTSEN of DRINK
Gertsen began his career at Salamander and No. 9 Park before teaming up with chef Barbara Lynch to open the bar Drink in 2008. He draws endless inspiration from the gay ‘90s, that is, the 1890s – a time when bartenders were showmen and the classic cocktails were invented. Gertsen's inventive cocktails are based on fabulous ingredients, seasonal inspiration, and a tribute to the cocktails of the past.

MATT SCHRAGE of BRASSTACKS
Born out of a whiskey-fueled conversation and multiple clandestine meetings, Brasstacks is a collective of industry professionals seeking to reinvigorate food, wine, spirits, and hospitality in the city of Boston. Looking past baked beans and clam chowder, Brasstacks is striving to reintroduce the ingredients and cooking techniques that New Englanders lost.  Helmed by Matthew Schrage, Marc Sheehan, and a rotating band of cooks and service professionals, their collaboration is inspired by a mutual desire to do something truly unique and meaningful in their respective fields.

SAM TREADWAY of BACKBAR
A veteran of both Eastern Standard and Drink, Treadway teamed with the owners of the restaurant Journeyman to create Backbar. With it’s cool,  industrial design and speakeasy-style profile, it doesn’t look or feel much like any other bar in the city. Treadway's expertise shines through in the drink menu and cocktails themselves, which are both adventurous (though with an eye to tradition) and expertly executed.

This event is 21+