Hendrick’s Cocktail Academy @ The Red Rabbit

Awesome, amazing cocktails! I even bought the gin to make these cocktails at home. It was great relaxing after work and meeting new people. Food was so-​so, but drinks were awesome!

Our awesome CM Alex and Katie did it again!!! This was a much needed event as the Sacramento Elite community was due for some learning… and eating… and sipping. The «classroom» style instruction was flawlessly delivered while we all listened attentively. Our facilitator, Mark, an ambassador for Hendricks, was extremely well versed and took time in answering all our questions. Mark described the distilling process that Hendrix uses for its gin by providing many of the technical details. Additionally, he explained the history behind the dual distilling process and the procedures used in growing, selecting, and adding the botanicals to this delicious elixir.
A couple of important facts that I remember from this class:
Hendricks is an extremely well balanced gin.
It does not have a hefty «up front» juniper taste.
Its extremely mellow and not so tart.
And Hendricks Gin uses a double distilling process. (I thinks that’s what it is called…)
Overall, I really enjoyed the learning aspect of this event especially the hands on activities we were provided. Our table groups collaborated on every step when measuring and mixing things. We had great conversations with each other and all of us were completely engaged. !
Thanks Alex and Katie for all your hard work. This event was most definitely Da Bomb ;).

This event was so much fun!
Hendricks Gin Academy was held in the back patio area of the Red Rabbit and the setting was gorgeous. Upon entering, guests were handed a welcome drink of Hendricks Gin & tonic with a slice of cucumber. I was already sold, just the gun and tonic itself was great! There was a beautiful array of finger foods to eat including mini chicken tacos, blts, chicken skewers, fruit and cheese plate, and an excellent white bean dip with pita bread. Everything was amazing.
As we were seated in the lovely patio area, Hendricks brand ambassador Mark began introducing himself and went through a brief slideshow explaining what sets Hendricks gin apart from all the other gun varieties out there. This was my first time attending the gin academy and the presentation was engaging and interesting! Mark demonstrated how to make mixed cocktails and we followed by trying ourselves! The first drink we made was a cucumber lemonade and it was definitely my favorite. We followed by making a delicious blueberry delight drink, and ended by making a big bowl of punch with the rest of the people at our table.
The presentation as a whole was great, food was excellent, and I now love Hendricks gin! The idea was fabulous, and my +1 and I had a fabulous time with mark and the lovely ladies at our table. Such a great time!

Hey non-​Sacto area Unilocal Elites, when these Hendrick’s Cocktail Academy events come to your city, don’t miss ‘em! Definitely go if you are on the fence about gin. You will enjoy the refreshing cocktails you make.
Great times were had at this well organized event. Mix master Mark set the tone for a fun, educational boozy experience and the Red Rabbit staff took excellent care of the Unilocalers’ needs. Very tasty snacks were provided by Red Rabbit. I noticed the tacos are on the happy hr menu. Hmmmm…
Can I go to every time slot next time?

I Signed up for this event absolutely HATING GIN! So I didn’t go in with high expectations!
All I have to say is that the CUCUMBER LEMONADE Drink blew my taste buds out of the water! Holy Crap, I had no idea Gin could taste so good! If you don’t like gin, you have to try making yourself Cucumber lemonade with Hendrick’s Gin! (See my pictures for a recipe!!!) PHENOMENAL!
I’m going to skip the rest of the review. What more is there??? You took a guy that hated the thought of having Gin and turned him into a Fan for life! (Great food courtesy of the Red Rabbit! Great people and amazing Drinks!) The rest is History!

Hendrick’s Cocktail Academy is my second YEE at Red Rabbit and by far my favorite. (Because– besides plenty of other reasons– who doesn’t love a bevy of freebie booze?) Fellow Unilocaler Irene W. and I were given a tall cool glass of gin and tonic as we entered– so far, so good! The beautiful RR back patio set the mood with ambiance in spades, and their amazing spread included chicken skewers, cheese and fruit nibbles, pita and hummus, mini BLTs and street tacos (all tried, all confirmed delicious).
Once seated, we were presented with an introduction to Hendrick’s gin– the company, the history and the beverage. I liked the Hendrick’s rep and master of ceremonies for the event; he was full of knowledge and good humor. Oh and gin, of course. Then came the fun part as he prepared a cocktail step-​by-​step then had everyone recreate that cocktail using the ingredients laid out for us. We made a cucumber lemonade (deemed «summer in a glass», ha!), a blueberry delight (my personal favorite) and the tenured punch, which was a huge bowl of flushed cheeks and happy tablemates. I enjoyed the communal effort of all the Unilocalers at the table helping to create (and slightly edit) the punch, it made for a fantastic drink at the end.
Unilocal, Red Rabbit and Hendrick’s knocked this event out of the park with 5 star drinks, food, drinks, fun, drinks, and even a little gift bag at the end. Thank you for a memorable Tuesday night… even if Wednesday morning was a bit hazy!

Don’t know how you could have not enjoyed the night unless you have a sever allergic reaction to Gin.
But being a man that likes gins and tonic (s)… this was the greatest time I’ve had and learning about the anatomy of a gin and how it’s produced was only a sweetener to this event. Really had no idea they used Rose petals and even cucumbers, etc. in gin and the whole process is so meticulous. I used to ask for another Gin in my gin and tonic but heck no, no more! I’m always going to be asking for Hendrick’s now.
Was wondering why they didn’t send us home with a bottle or two… I had to go out and get three bottles myself shortly after :) the tiny bits of food were amazing. The chicken tacos were so good they barely quenched my appetite so we ate at the Bar right after.
Thanks Alex for putting this together and the awesome Gin ambassador for coming out and showing us all a great time!

RR’s back patio was the setting for a classy Hendricks Cocktail Academy. Having attended one prior, Luci N. & I took this as a remedial course in artistic alchemy.
An arrangement of appetizers was provided, and we munched our way through them. Focaccia open-​faced «BLT» sandwich bites, hummus on pita, street tacos (chicken) and a few others were worthy tastes, whetting our palattes (sic, it’s a mashup) for the gin-​based work ahead of us.
The event was thoughtfully organized, with all the needed ingredients arranged on tables in front of us. Staff swooped in to sweep up the remnants of each concoction (spent lemon wedges, empty glasses, etc.) and keep us on task. This was the most time we’ve yet spent in Red Rabbit, and we were impressed by both the food and the prompt and friendly service.
Thanks to our ginbassador, we got a crash course in gin-​eology. Apparently, Hendricks Gin is a special combination of two proprietary distillation processes, using two types of small-​batch stills and a secret recipe of aromatics, finished off with — believe it or not — rose petals. Delicious stuff.
And, who could complain about the drinks? We were all honorary bartenders and bartend-​resses for the night.
Grade: A+++++

Fantastic event! I am not a huge liquor fan so I was a little unsure of how I’d like the event since I usually stick to wine and beer. Turned out I need not have worried.
My boyfriend and I snagged a spot right in front for the 6pm academy and went in to hang out for a bit while the event was finished setting up. We then headed to the back patio, where we were immediately offered gin & tonics and told to grab seats. We then got some finger food (let’s see if I can remember it all): pitas and white bean dip, salmon crostini, cheese and fruit, chicken tacos, chicken skewers, and BLTs. Besides not being a liquor fan I also don’t eat meat much (man, I am starting to sound super picky. I swear I’m not!) but it all looked so good I grabbed one of everything, and I am glad I did. The chicken tacos were fantastic, the tortillas were so good. My boyfriend’s favorite was the salmon crostini which was delicate and tasty. My favorite was the BLT, I literally kept thinking about it at work the next day. What can I say, I am obsessed with food. Everything else was good too, but those were the standouts.
At each table, there was plenty of tools and liquids necessary to make the cocktails. Before playing bartender, we were taught a bit about gin and Hendrick’s by the fabulous brand ambassador Mark. He was very knowledgeable and fun. Next, it was cocktail making time! First up was a cucumber lemonade which was very good and my boyfriend’s favorite. Next was a blueberry green tea lemonade which was my favorite; it was truly amazing. Last but not least was a punch we got to make in groups. I thought the huge block of ice was fun and definitely something I’ll remember to use when making punch myself. All the drinks were perfect and not too alcoholic tasting, and I want to make them at home! Excitedly told my boyfriend that we should throw a party and serve these drinks. Ya’ll (don’t make fun of me, I went to school in the South!) are invited ;)
I loved that the event was held outside, it was such a nice prelude to summer. The goodie bags as we were leaving was a fun touch.

This event was a highly fun and interactive! I learned. so much about gin and the drinks were delicious! It made me a gin fan and I was not before! The red rabbit food was good. The Henderick’s Gin staff were very friendly and enthusiastic! I’m definitely going to add those Gin recipes to my mixology repetoire! Glad I was a +1!

Sippin’ on (Hendrick’s) GIN && juice…
By far, one of my favorite YEE to date. I think my happiness stems from the party being completely interactive. Yes, there were bouts of a presentation, but Mix Master Mark (MMM) was nothing short of entertaining! From his dapper little outfit to quirky personality, he had us engaged in cocktail making all evening.
I, along with my plus one (we’ll call her the Guidette), were slated for the 8PM Cocktail Academy at Red Rabbit, which is in walking distance — so we both could drink! We arrived on time, but they had a wait for a little bit as they re-​configured the patio area for the second class of the evening. No harm, no foul!
When we walked into the back patio of Red Rabbit, it was a sight of party planning proportions. We were greeted with a Hendrick’s and Tonic, and a smile. Appetizers were plated right near the door, so we swooped a few before we selected our seats — mini BLTs, chicken skewers, pita and white bean dip, fruit and cheese, chicken tacos, and probably something else I’m forgetting! Drink and food in tow, we found our seats at one of the three, long tables.
Academy and booze don’t seem to go with one another, but it worked. MMM taught us how to make each cocktail, then let us too it! We had every tool needed and the recipe was posted on the screen, as well as on little recipe card at your table. It was dummy proof, I did it, comm’n!
The two cocktails we made were delicious. I’m not generally a Gin drinker, but I think Hendrick’s has won me over. Their price point isn’t too bad, thanks to MMM I now know I can pretty much buy it anywhere, but Trader Joe’s offers the best price! I love that after we made two individual drinks, they made it a group effort and we made a punch for the table. It was also a sneaky way to get us to mingle with the others at our table. We all had a blast participating, then cheering our ‘Naught & Nice’ punch!
It was the perfect storm. Bites to hold us over, booze to keep us happy, an interactive session to keep us engaged, and a lovely patio evening! I can’t exactly pinpoint what made it so amazing, but I had a great Tuesday night with some fellow Unilocalers and the Guidette! I’m always being surprised by YEE, so this one happened to surprise me in the best way possible! Kudo’s to Hendrick’s, MMM, and Alex L. for a great event, thank you all!
Maybe it was the company, maybe the booze… but it was the best yet!

I had an amazing time at the event yesterday. It was hosted at the red rabbit in the back patio on the outside. We were welcome with gin and tonic and a slice of cucumber inside. it was a great drink and i told everyone it tasted like sprite. lol… Next we had some yummylicious appetizers prepared by the red rabbit. They had some street style chicken tacos. they were definitely tasty!, along with the fennel cheese and white bean spread with pita triangles which reminded me of mann. Also the Focaccia sandwich with bacon and lettuce tomato with a yummy green spread. also the classic mixed fruit platter with cheese as well.
Next the tables were all set up and organized. each seat had a place mat with all the tools to make a perfect cocktail. some tools were the lemon juice squeezer, measuring cups and a mixer spoon, and different empty cups too. All the bottles were in the middle of the table along with the syrups and etc to mix a good drink. We had time to eat our appetizers and then the presentation started shortly.
the street tacos were moist and warm. it had a good flavor with the cheese crumble on top of it. it didn’t need salsa and it was still great. The pita bread with the spread was bomb. it did remind me of hummus, although it was a white bean with cheese. The Sandwich was also good too. the bread was soft and fluffy and reminded me of a sour dough texture. it had bacon inside which is very smoky good. the green spread inside the mini sandwich made it much more tastier.
after the presentation, it was time to make our first drink and it was a cucumber lemonade and the second was a blueberry delight. There was an recipe card to remind you how to make the drinks. both drinks were awesome! my favorite was the cucumber gin lemonade, it was very citrusy and a well blend too. it wasn’t too sweet either. it was just a lemonade with a hint of gin. But with fresh squeezed lemon and brew your own sugar and water for the simple syrup. It definitely makes a difference than just mixing it with pre made lemonade.
the blueberry delight was awesome as well. it was definitely on the sweeter side. it looked more like a classy and beach drink. I had to close my eyes and imagine i was on the beach with a cool breeze in the face and sipping on the refreshing blueberry delight.
the last drink we made was the winter toe tickler punch. This punch took the team to make it. This drink wasn’t my favorite because it had the cinnamon taste to it. i am not a cinnamon fan, in my drinks. it did give it the punch taste, so i can see why it is included in it. it was in a fancy big bowl with the big block of ice in it, then pour the gin, lemon juice, sparkling water, and simple syrup along with the cinnamon spice bitters which is 44.7% of alc. Then add berries and some cucumbers. This is definitely a good presentation for parties, a good way to save time, instead of making individual drinks.
overall it was a great experience with learning how to mix different drinks with gin. i felt like i was a pro barista at the end of the night. i felt like i was a gin expert drinker hehe. each one of these YEE gets better and fancier. We had food and drinks so of course the event was awesome! it was such an serendipity day! I can’t wait for future events! Thanks to Unilocal and Hendricks and red rabbit kitchen for hosting this event! Definitely a fun, elegant, educational event for non gin drinkers! Thanks for reading and hope you had a wonderful time like i did.

These YEEs just keep getting better. I feel like every YEE is my most favorite. And this one was no different.
Mix Master Mark put on a great session. And those drinks? I’ll be making them all summer. Come find me under my lemon tree drunk on Hendricks.
Thanks to Alex and Katie for putting on GREAT events, and to Red Rabbit for providing such a gorgeous space and super tasty food. The chicken tacos were so good we definitely went back more than once.
The only downside to this wonderful event is that the space was VERY cramped. That just meant we had to get a lot closer and make more friends, though, so I really have no complaints.

What an amazing experience for this Unilocal Elite Event yesterday night, and it’s my first timer (as an Elite member) thanks to my buddy, Alex T, who did lending me a spot!
Before the event started, there’s an incredible appetizers to eat from mini BLT sandwiches to fruits & kinds of cheese.
Hendrick’s Gin presentation with the brand ambassador, Mark showed the story and origin about how the gin is originally made, provided demonstrations for three homemade cocktail creations, and of course, having fun with the new and familiar Unilocal buddies too!
We did so much fun making great drinks, so we’ve enjoyed throughout the two hour presentation with bounds of laughter and happiness. After the presentation ended, we received a «thank you» goodies bag for being a great participant!
In the end, this YEE’s Hendrick’s gin presentation is a remarkable, and unforgettable experience that every Unilocal Elite members will enjoyed all thanks to the Hendrick’s gin members, and of course, the Unilocal Sacramento guy, Alex L! I can’t wait what YEE surprises will be next. Thanks for this special Elite event!

Oh em gee this was the best YEE yet! Instructive, fun, interactive, and complimentary Hendrick’s cocktails and finger foods? Yes please! I don’t like gin, but I love Hendrick’s. Seriously. This was said during our 6 pm Cocktail Academy «Class,» and it sums up my sentiments exactly. I really enjoyed meeting new people and learning new things!
Hendrick’s Brand Ambassador Mark was very knowledgeable and skilled at working the room, so to speak. We learned about the history and distilling methods of the company, and even how to squeeze a lemon in the appropriate fashion.
Planning this event for mid-​May was a superb idea. Summer is right around the corner, and every cocktail we made would do perfectly after a hot day. The Blueberry Delight was my favorite concoction, but we also whipped up a Cucumber Lemonade and the group project, a cinnamon-​y Punch.
I definitely want to come back to Red Rabbit asap, as this was my first visit. This event took place on their cozy back porch, and staff was super on top of things given the small space they had to work with, which was crammed full of Unilocalers pumped full of free top shelf booze. I arrived early before the event started, and was politely greeted by a host and hostess. Very impressed.
The bonus gift bag was a nice touch. The recipe book is going to come in handy at parties over the summer! And I’m always a fan of MOAR tea!
Thanks as always to Katie G. and Alex L. for putting together such a fun event, and to the Red Rabbit for hosting!

Gin anyone??? I was the first to say I’ll pass but not today. Our mixologist and guide to gin Mark and our Unilocal leader Alex have changed my mind about gin FOREVER. And what better way than for it to be educational as well as fun!!!
Our Unilocal event was held at Red Rabbit in the back enclosed room with a beautiful water fall fountain. This place is very nice and we’ll be back to check it out for dinner in the future. It was a really cool setting. We had long tables shared with other Unilocalers and the items to be our own bartenders for the evening. My boo and I had the pleasure of meeting and making new friends with Alex T and William L which made the evening much more fun!
The restaurant provided delicious bites for us to start off with so we wouldn’t getting too tipsy off all this fabulous Hendrick’s gin. My favorite were the chicken tacos… yummers!!! We were also welcomed by the staff of Hendricks with a wonderfully delicious and refreshing gin cocktail.
Mark was so much funand informative about the gin. It was such fun to watch him make the mixture and then we could have at it to try it for ourself. He made it ok to be heavy handed with the pours. My king of guy lol
My favorite was the cucumber lemonade! It was a fabulous idea and we throughly enjoyed this event. The staff of Hendrick’s were amazing. After the wonderful event we were given gift bags with some teas, a deck of cards, and a recipe book of various gin cocktail recipes. I was also able to take a rose with permission of course :-)
I can now say that I will now partake of gin in the future and of course it will be Hendrick’s.
Thanks Alex for putting together another great event! YOU ROCK!

John H. and I were lucky to get into this fun event! It took place at Red Rabbit on their back patio. We were welcomed at the door with some gin and tonic. Great start! Next– a spread of tasty appetizers prepared by Red Rabbit. Some of my favorites small bites were white bean spread on pita triangles, focaccia sandwich with bacon, cheeses and fruit.
Our place setting was supplied with all the tools needed to mix some cocktails. After everyone sat down and had time to eat, our Hendrick’s host began his presentation on the history, background and the making of Hensrick’s gin. It was a very interesting and engaging presentation (btw, this was my second time to hear this info).
Our first mixed drink was cucumber lemonade and the second was blueberry delight. The recipe card was in the table and easy to follow. All utensils, tools and ingredients were on the table so we can start mixing our own drinks. Both drinks were VERY good but I like the cucumber lemonade more. Our final concoction (winter toe tickler punch) was created by the group at the table and in a large bowl. Fun and delicious! Something you can make and serve at any party so you don’t have to be busy mixing drinks the entire time. It start with a block of ice, gin, lemon juice, sparkling water, simple syrup, cinnamon spiced tea, bitters. And add whatever else you want — fruit, cucumber, etc. And DRINK!
Great event! Well organized!

WoW! This was the place to be…
Classy, educational, and fun!
Setup: Red Rabbit Kitchen and Bar
Topic: Hendricks Gin Academy
Host: Unilocal and Hendricks Ambassador Mark
Recap: Welcome to the Hendricks lounge all decked out for a lesson on Gin. If you weren’t a fan of Gin, you were after this academy.
Thanks to RR for the delicious appetizers including mini BLT’s, CKN skewers, CKN tacos, and more. I was greeted immediately with a welcome Hendricks cocktail and beautiful table setting. Based on the setup, I knew immediately this was going to be fun even if I didn’t like Gin. Tools, Unilocal swag, and Hendricks branding all over the table!
We got an entertaining lesson on the history of Hendricks and Gin. Then it was time to participate and make cocktails! Mark our ambassador was very knowledgable and animated. A real crowd pleaser! Believe me when I say the drinks we learned how to make were amazing. Mark gave us step by step instructions on getting buzzed with perfect recipes.
They topped it off with Hendricks goodie bags on our way out the door! This Unilocal event was a perfect intimate learning experience of fun! The only Gin I will ever drink for the rest of my life will be Hendricks thanks to Unilocal and Mark, and I will continue to spread the goodwill of promoting Hendricks! #imabeliever#imafan!
Thank You Unilocal and Thank You Hendricks!

What a fantastic event. I love the Red Rabbit and their staff were great about cleaning as we went and making sure we had everything we needed for every cocktail.
The lesson & instruction was great! It was interesting to learn about the history behind the gin. And to learn cocktail
Recipes with gin that I can take home and use. I’ll be honest I was not a gin fan going into this but my husband and I left both talking about all the things we could do with gin. The quality of the gin makes a difference. This changes my perspective.
Looking forward to trying these recipes at home.
Thank you Unilocal,The Red Rabbit and Hendricks Gin for really great Unilocal elite event. Solid!

These YEE are blowing my expectations out of the water. I was completely impressed with how entertaining and well put together this event was!
Admittedly, I was apprehensive because my gin history involved drinking it in highschool (and puking up what tasted like pine cone extract) at a friends’ house. This was 100% different.
My friend and I enjoyed learning about the history of Hendrick’s gin. It was so much fun mixing the drinks ourselves! We were enthralled with the different flavors in each cocktail– they made simply «transcendent» drinks. Shout out to the Hendrick’s ambassador, Mix Master Mark, and his extensive vocabulary.
All around great time! So glad we attended!