Shane Confectionery (the nation’s oldest continuously operated candy shop) and the Alchemist Society (the go-to organization where you call learn everything about spirits and beer) jointly hosted a Craft Cocktail & Chocolate Workshop where chocolate and magical cocktails were paired in harmony.
In the end, participants (including myself) left with the experience to make four new favorite cocktails at home, chocolate purchased, and more importantly, knowledge of how to pair delicious small-batch chocolate to amazing cocktails.
Chocolate and Cocktail Pairing Bliss. Plus a Great Helping of Insight!
Continuing my search for fun food events, I discovered the workshop on my Facebook timeline. I like spirits, supporting local Philadelphia businesses, and chocolate, so why not?
Shanes Confectionary instantly takes you back to the old day of Philadelphia with the employees with their old-fashioned clothes, vintage cash register, and row and rows of colorful candy. No matter what type of candy you prefer, it can be found here.
Through those doors lay the candy of your dreams
Chocolate is a great way to show love.
No matter if you like solid chocolate bars, cream-filled, jelly, nuts, or whatever Shane Confectionery has the perfect candy for you.
Get an amazing cup of hot chocolate. Vegan version available.
A tour of this vintage candy shop is perfect for sightseeing or date night.
Bagged Shane Confectionery Candy
I know licorice has medicinal properties and some people actually like the flavor of it.
I can feel helicopter moms throughout Old City clutching their pearls in horror.
It was a struggle to stay focused. This is not the time to devour sweets. I can’t get intoxicated with sugar before class started.
The attendees were brought up to the top floor where cocoa beans are roasted, ground, and made into slabs of delicious chocolate.
This pod holds beautiful cocoa beans.
You cannot imagine how heavenly roasted cocoa beans smell.
Leading the workshop was Jackie Cusack from Alchemist Society and Head Chocolate-Maker Kevin Paschall. Kevin gave the class a history of the chocolate and Jackie took it from there and explain the background of each cocktail we made and then consumed. Then Jackie demos the cocktail’s creation. She explained the history and reasoning that made each drink special and delicious.
Fact: Did you know gin is fermented? Now you do.
Kevin explains why each chocolate sampling pairs well with each cocktail.
We savor the flavorings between the cocktail and chocolate.
“Best ideas come while sipping rum” – Pavol Kazimir. I agree with Pavol.
Within the four hours of the workshop, we created various amazing cocktails.
Rowhouse Spirits’ Demon Rum is made right here in Philadelphia.
Indulging in Cocktail Number ???
The ingredients to make a Bloody Butcher Boulevardier. Did you know that New Liberty Distilling also makes Whiskey?
The happiness that overcomes you when you make your own cocktails and pair them with fine chocolate.
No more trash talking about Absinthe. Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure is my new favorite. With a mix of this, Kensey Rye, a sugar cube, plus bitters … I’m in love.
Gin you say? Infused with cocoa nibs? Enough time for my Winter Solstice menu.
I attended the class alone and I have to admit I feared that I would be the singleton drinking alone. Wrong! There were other singletons, several girls night out groups, and couples enjoying the workshop. The point is this was a fun activity for a solo adventurer or with friends!
Don’t miss out on additional themed workshops sponsored by Shanes Confectionery and Alchemist Society.
Story and photos by Dana Prophet
Facebook Sources
- The Pastry Prophet
- Shanes Confectionery
- Alchemist Society
- Eight Oaks Craft Distillers
- New Liberty Distillery
- Philadelphia Distilling
- Eight Oaks Craft Distillers
4 Comments
First of all, I just peed a little.
Second of all, did you say they ROAST THEIR OWN CACAO BEANS?! HOLY CRAP! I DID NOT KNOW THIS!
Thirdly, Shane’s has been owned by the Berley Brothers who also run Franklin Fountain. Their attention to detail is impeccable.
Fouth,are these ALL local spirits? I MUST sample Bloody Butcher Bourbon Whiskey as soon as possible!
Fifth, I LOVE that first pic of you, Pastry Prophet!
And finally, did I mention that I just peed a little??
Apparently, I’m missing out on a lot of local gins.
I should do a mini food tour just on the block that Franklin Fountain and Shane sits. The candy is superb. Also I visited a pizza place (I can’t remember the name, but I’ll remember when I see it). That was some amazing pizza.
Edit: Shane’s has been owned by the Berley Brothers, who also own Franklin Fountain, for the past few years now (I missed a clause) .
* passes out from sugar shock and intoxication *
That was DEE-LISH-US!!
Oh man! There were a couple of times I wanted to jump through the screen and snatch those yummy looking cocktails out of your hands. This DOES sound like a fun activity. I’ll have to keep this in mind when I’m looking around for things to do. I’m glad you could do it alone. I never know if I’m going to be solo or have a running buddy, let alone a date, lol.