Botanical Mixology
Botanical Mixology
multiple dates
2 hrs
from festivál café (directions)
led by tyler hollinger (head mixologist and co-owner)
in-person ⬝ hands-on
Join Tyler Hollinger, Head Mixologist and Co-Owner of FESTIVÁL Café, for an immersive farm-to-bar mixology experience on the Upper East Side.
Known for his sharp eye for atmosphere and botanical cocktail creations, Tyler will guide you through the art of crafting restaurant-quality drinks using fresh herbs, citrus, and seasonal ingredients straight from the farm.
In this hands-on class, you'll kick things off with a welcome cocktail before diving into foundational techniques like shaking, stirring, and muddling, while exploring flavor pairing, ingredient layering, and the role of botanicals in modern cocktail design. Working with fresh, seasonal ingredients, you'll craft three cocktails while learning how to balance acidity, sweetness, and bitterness along the way.
Throughout the session, Tyler will share stories behind FESTIVÁL Café while also sharing his unique background in both hospitality and entertainment.
Guests will leave with printed recipe cards, a digital recipe guide, and the skills to recreate all three cocktails at home.
What You’ll Learn
How to craft three distinct botanical cocktails from start to finish using fresh, seasonal ingredients
How to properly use herbs, citrus, spices, and aromatics to build layered, balanced flavor profiles
Core mixology techniques including shaking, stirring, muddling, and proper dilution
How to balance acidity, sweetness, and bitterness like a professional bartender
The fundamentals of “farm-to-bar” cocktail creation and ingredient pairing
How to garnish and present cocktails with a refined, elevated finish
Practical recipes and techniques that can be easily recreated at home
On the Menu
Lavender French 75
Spicy Strawberry Palomino
Signature Espresso Martini
Your Booking Includes
2 hour interactive Botanical Mixology Class
Hands-on instruction crafting 3 cocktails using fresh, seasonal ingredients
All spirits, botanicals, tools, and glassware provided
Guided tasting and education on flavor pairing and balance
Printed recipe cards to take home
Digital recipe guide sent after class
A welcome beverage to kick off the experience
Your handcrafted cocktails to enjoy during the session
A lively, social atmosphere led by expert instructors
Good to know
Please be on time as late arrivals may miss key steps
Substitutions for select ingredients can be accommodated with advance notice
Guests must be 21+ to participate
Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions ahead of time
PRIVATE BOOKINGS
This experience is also available for private groups of 2 - 30 guests
Available to book any day of the week from 11am to 9pm
About Your Guide
TYLER HOLLINGER
Head Mixologist and Co-Owner, FESTIVÁL Café
Tyler Hollinger is a hospitality entrepreneur, experiential producer, and actor redefining how people gather, celebrate, and connect.
As the force behind FESTIVÁL Café and the founder of HIGHLIFE PRODUCTIONS, he blends elevated cocktail culture with immersive event design—creating spaces that feel as electric as they are intentional.
Known for his “farm-to-bar” philosophy and sharp eye for atmosphere, Tyler has built a reputation for turning everyday moments into unforgettable experiences—from packed-out live music nights on the Upper East Side to high-profile brand activations for global clients.
Whether he’s behind the bar, behind the scenes, or on screen, Tyler operates at the intersection of hospitality, storytelling, and culture—bringing a signature mix of precision, energy, and showmanship to everything he touches.
About The Business
FESTIVÁL CAFÉ
1155 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065
FESTIVÁL Café is a farm-to-bar cocktail café on the Upper East Side where elevated mixology meets a warm, lively atmosphere. Known for its botanical cocktails, live music, and curated experiences, it's where neighborhood charm meets high-energy hospitality.
At the heart of FESTIVÁL is a deep commitment to sustainability and seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. From herbs grown specifically for the café by partner farm Bluestem Botanicals, to produce from Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture and seafood from Montauk Seafood Company, every ingredient is chosen with care for both flavor and the environment.
Whether you're stopping in for a cocktail, catching live music, or joining one of their signature experiences, FESTIVÁL is a space that brings people together over great food, great drinks, and a genuine love for the craft.