Drinks 2025 | Edible Notables

Lifting Spirits

High Mark Distillery makes mixology fun with hands-on classes.

If Saturday afternoon finds you in search of a tasty tipple, how about crafting your own specialty cocktail? High Mark Distillery in South Reno offers weekly cocktail-mixing and spirit-making classes in its tasting room. The classes are taught by owner/master distiller Felicia Keith-Jones.

When High Mark’s tasting room closed during the pandemic, Keith-Jones had an innovative idea for lifting people’s spirits — with spirits. She teamed up with Reno radio station KBUL, sending out DIY cocktail kits to country artists in Nashville and guiding them to mix drinks live on the air. When the tasting room reopened, Keith-Jones kept the party going with in-person classes.

Mix and Mingle
High Mark’s tasting room has a jovial atmosphere, and large picnic tables invite socializing with other participants. As you mix and sip, you’ll enjoy a tasty treat that complements your cocktail, with sweet and savory bites sourced from Reno-Tahoe bakeries and restaurants. When spirit-making is on the calendar, you’ll prepare your own bottle of specialty liqueur to take home, age, and enjoy — in addition to your in-class cocktail.

Keith-Jones encourages sampling as you mix to create a cocktail personalized to your palate. As a former teacher, she is a charismatic guide, sprinkling in stories of adventures from her days as an Alaskan bush pilot and her global travels connecting with other spirit makers. Knowledgeable tasting room staff members assist and answer questions about the products and the process, making the experience enjoyable for novices and returning regulars alike.

Seasonal Variety
Each Saturday, a new class takes place at the distillery, which is designed to celebrate seasonal ingredients and themes. For example, this winter’s upcoming classes feature such topics as ginger apple Moscow mule, chocolate liqueur, and love martini (with timing near Valentine’s Day). Keep an eye on the website for upcoming classes. With 52 extraordinary events and limited seating, Keith-Jones’ advice is to jump on a class when you find one that looks enticing. After the class, you’ll receive the cocktail recipe so you can flex your mixologist muscles at your next gathering.

“I love seeing people walk in for a class and sit by strangers, then watch them walk out laughing together, exchanging phone numbers as friends!” Keith-Jones says. “That’s the good stuff in life, and it warms my heart every time!”

When you’re looking to whet your whistle with flavors out of the ordinary, head to a class at High Mark. Bring a few friends — or make some new ones as you stir, sip, and savor.

High Mark Distillery
4690 Longley Lane, Ste. 28, Reno · 775–737-0001
The tasting room is open noon – 7 p.m. Mon. – Sat. To learn more about cocktail and spirit-making classes, visit Highmarkdistillery.com.