‘People want experiences’: Bitter & Sweet Cocktail Boutique in Arlington Heights brings mixology to the masses

Be they shaken or stirred, muddled or swizzled, on the rocks or up, the owners of an Arlington Heights shop want to teach people that making professional-quality cocktails at home isn’t as hard as it might look.

Janine Durbin and Scott Sanaghan opened Bitter & Sweet Cocktail Boutique almost two years ago at 157 N. Evergreen in Arlington Heights, offering mixology classes and a boutique retail liquor store.

“We’re trying to redefine cocktail culture, making it accessible, making it less intimidating,” Durbin said. “It doesn’t have to be bougie. It doesn’t have to be pretentious. It just has to be authentic, based on what you like.”

The Mount Prospect couple got the idea when they started experimenting with cocktails at home while shut in during the pandemic.

“We really enjoyed it and said, ‘Why don’t more people do this?’” Durbin said.

Out of curiosity, they did some research and realized there were no Chicago-area businesses at the time offering interactive mixology experiences combined with specialty liquor retail.

“We’re empty nesters, and we were ready for something new,” she said. “So why not cocktails? We think it’s really kind of a unique thing.”

The space features a pair of long tables in front where classes are lead by professional bartenders. The back features a cozy, upscale retail store with curated spirits that run the gamut from base liquors to liqueurs, amari, vermouths and a large selection of bitters.

Everything used in the classes can be purchased in the retail shop. They also have open bottles of many of their offerings so people can sample and learn what they like.

“We try to be really local,” Sanaghan said. “We want to focus on distilleries that are local but still high quality. You’ll also find a lot of product here that you might not find at Binny’s because we want to give it the shelf space we think it deserves.”

The two-hour classes are offered most evenings Tuesday through Saturday and involve learning about and making two to three cocktails, usually around a central theme. The drinks range from classics to modern creations that each guest will measure, pour, muddle, stir, shake and garnish as needed.

Classes generally range in price from $45 to $65 per person.

September was full of back-to-school-themed classes with drinks inspired by astronomy, art history and European geography. They offer a ladies night once a month and book clubs twice a month, with drinks based on the reading material.

A recent Tuesday class had a “yacht rock” theme, with a pair of tropical drinks — the Tattoed Seaman and an Ancient Mariner — on the menu and ’70s music playing over the speakers.

Every guest in the class has their own bar mat setup with a mixing glass or shaker, a jigger, glassware, a spoon and a strainer. After hearing a little about the drink, the ingredients and the technique involved, attendees follow the lead of the bartender to make their own version of the cocktail to pour, garnish and enjoy. Mocktail options are available by request.

Durbin said knowing that taste buds vary in a group of up to 20, they’ll show guests how they can measure some ingredients up or down to suit their tastes.

“We want to make sure people know how to make what they like,” she said.

Food curated to match the drinks is served during a break between cocktails, which allows time for people to drink and chat and look around.

“I think that’s part of the magic of the experience,” Sanaghan said. “It’s not like when you go out to dinner with a group and you’re forced to sit next to and talk to the same people all night. You get to mingle.”

Durbin said it’s also a time where strangers frequently become friends.

“Our favorite thing is when people come here separately and then leave with another couple and go out someplace else,” Durbin said.

Though the boutique opened at a time when people’s interest in alcohol and spirits seemed to be waning, Durbin thinks the store’s success is based on the sense of community the classes provide.

“We love seeing people come together to have a good time,” Durbin said. “People want experiences, they want connection. They don’t want to just go and drink.”

rwest@dailyherald.com