As I was snapping outside, the tram whistled passed. Though I work pretty much opposite Bar Opus, I’m still not used to them coming past! After bumping into David Massey of #Brumhour / Dave the Buffet Slayer outside, we wandered into the swanky Colmore Business District venue.

I’m happy to report the Metro hasn’t changed the ambiance of the place at all, from entering the building I forgot it even came past on the way to Bull Street. The airy tall windowed venue tucked under One Snow Hill gives plenty of light and really let the venue shine, even on a wintery Saturday.

I’ve popped into Bar Opus a few times for lunch and after work drinks. They do regular events too, including hosting Andy Low’n’Slow which I stopped by last year.

Anyway, back to the important thing, alcohol!

The teams at Bar Opus and Clive Reeves PR kindly invited myself and a few others from the Birmingham blogging community to sample their new cocktail masterclass. Sam and Tim welcomed us in and got us all into a ring of tables around a central demonstration area (there’s a reason why, which I’ll come to later). This partnered me up with the wonderful Laura Creaven of the award winning ‘Full to the Brum‘  blog. I snapped a few pics before getting around to spilling everything!

The reason for the ring of tables was that we were also having a little competition to be crowned queen or king of the masterclass, and participating in a classier variation of the ‘Ring of Fire’ student drinking game. Activities included word association, contributing to a bespoke cocktail, how many grapes can you fit in your mouth and in my case, reciting a William Shatner spoken word style version of ‘Like a Virgin’. I wouldn’t want to inflict my singing on my worst enemy, it’s equivalent to Vogon Poetry.

Our first cocktail was a Mellow Yellow consisting of:

• 25 ml Limoncello
• 12.5 ml Chase Great British Gin (Yes, I was surprised they do things other than vodka too!)
• 12.5 ml Sugar Syrup
• 12.5 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• Topped with San Pellegrino lemonade

We paid attention whilst Tim walked us through the steps and showed us the correct order for the ingredients. Despite a small spillage of sugar syrup on my behalf, I must say I didn’t do too bad! The cocktail tasted great, like an alcoholic lemon sherbert sweet. I think that’s more down to the high quality of the ingredients rather than my handiwork!

The ‘Ring of Fire’ went round again and our bespoke cocktail started taking shape from the varied ingredients:

Our second cocktail was the Chase Me:

• 50 ml Chase Rhubarb Vodka
• 25 ml Monin Vanilla Syrup
• 12.5 ml Lemon Juice
• 75 ml Apple Juice
• Shaken and strained

Tim, again, masterfully took us through the steps this time including the correct usage of a cocktail shaker! It was my first time using one and I managed not to make a giant fist of it either. I was doing well for a change.

Whilst we were making and shaking, another ‘Ring of Fire’ happened and Ting of The Ting Thing had to take a silly selfie which I wouldn’t be evil to  link to directly would I?

Oh dear. Tache fail #brumcocktails @BarOpus pic.twitter.com/92rrQ8baTX

— Ting (@The_Ting_Thing) January 16, 2016

Chloe of Gastronomic Gorman won the Queen of the Cocktail Masterclass award for her cocktail making skills.

And here’s our cocktail queen! @GastroGorman was voted the best cocktail maker of the day! #BrumCocktails pic.twitter.com/R4REYvF6Uf

— Bar Opus (@BarOpus) January 16, 2016

Whilst Vicky of Brumderland had the (mis)fortune of winning our bespoke cocktail, which ended up a Christmassy gingerbread chocolate and orange treat!

Another treat awaited us. The Bar Opus team laid on a beautiful Afternoon Tea of finger sandwiches, cakes, scones & clotted cream and fresh fruit preserves to enjoy.

This was accompanied by three Floozy in the Jacuzzi cocktails from Sam’s Sharing cocktails consisting of:

• A WHOLE bottle of prosecco
• Rhubarb and Rosehip
• Chase Marmalade
• Lemon

Alev from Bella and Robot blog, Vicky and I all had a few sips:

It was a great way to be introduced into cocktail making and I’d recommend it for something to do in the city for a birthday or classy hen do! You could pair it up with their Brunch Menu or Afternoon Tea (prices start from £15pp with unlimited tea up to £18.50pp with Prosecco).

Amateur mixologists are being given the opportunity to learn how to create mouthwatering cocktails with an intimate masterclass at Bar Opus at One Snowhill. Bar Manager Sam Cross and his team will teach how to mix, shake and stir drinks from the ordinary into the extraordinary. Classes are one hour and cost £15 per person. To book, call 0121 289 3939 or via find more info on their website here.

Disclaimer: For this event, I was a guest of Bar Opus and Clive Reeves PR who provided all food and drinks; this provides no bias to the post. This blog is my own personal opinion and strives to provide an independent view, promoting, enjoying and reviewing the range of exciting food and venues in and around Birmingham.

When: 16/01/2016

Where: Bar Opus at One Snowhill

Who:  Bar Opus, Opus Group