What separates a perfectly balanced cocktail from a glass of booze, juice, and good intentions?

Come find out.

Join us for a spirited evening with the team behind Rock 12 Distillery, Santa Barbara County's farm-to-glass distillery nestled along the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Trail, as we learn the secrets behind one of life's great pleasures:

A really, really good cocktail.

Founded by Sarah and Marko Suput, Rock 12 has a story almost as interesting as what's in the glass. Marko comes from generations of Serbian distillers, and the distillery's copper pot still was handmade by a master craftsman in Serbia before making its way to California.

Sarah and Marko took that Old World tradition and gave it a distinctly Santa Barbara County identity—planting an orchard and creating small-batch spirits from locally grown fruit.

And now they're coming to Los Alamos to teach us how to put those spirits to very good use.

During this lively Speaker Series, we'll explore:

• 🍸 What actually makes a cocktail great

• ⚖️ The art of balancing spirit, sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and dilution

• 🧊 Why ice matters far more than you probably think

• 🍋 How fresh ingredients can completely transform a drink

• 🥃 Choosing the right spirit as the foundation for your cocktail

• 🌿 Garnishes, aromatics, glassware, and those finishing touches that elevate a drink

• 🍹 How to take a few basic cocktail principles and start creating drinks of your own

• 🚫 Common home-bartending mistakes—and how to fix them

• ✨ A little of the history, craft, and magic behind Rock 12 Distillery

• ❓ Audience Q&A — bring the cocktail question you've always wanted to ask a professional!

Whether you're already the designated cocktail maker among your friends or your current technique involves pouring things into a glass and hoping for the best, this evening is for you.

Come learn a few tricks.

Ask lots of questions.

And discover why a truly great cocktail isn't complicated—it just requires understanding what makes all those ingredients work beautifully together.

Cheers to that. 🍸

RSVP to sonja@clementinecarterwines.com