What you'll learn

✓ The bartender’s role, the bar station, hygiene and safety (including the broken-glass rule) ✓ Bar tools, glassware and ice, and how to use them like a professional ✓ How spirits are made, and the clear and aged spirits behind every bar ✓ Liqueurs, vermouth, bitters, fresh juice, syrups and garnishes ✓ Build, stir, shake, muddle, layer, blend, measure and speed pour ✓ 15 classic cocktails with official IBA specs, plus guest service, speed and responsible service

Who it's for

New bartenders and barbacks, servers moving behind the bar, hotel and restaurant teams, and serious home enthusiasts. No experience needed. Every technique can be practised with water and juice. You must be of legal drinking age (18+ or the legal age where you live) to take part in the tastings.

Curriculum

12 Chapters · 24 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Certified Bartending Enthusiast™

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      About your educator

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      Lesson notes: The bartender and the bar

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      Check: The bartender and the bar

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      Lesson notes: Tools of the trade

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      Check: Tools of the trade

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      Lesson notes: Glassware and ice

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      Check: Glassware and ice

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson notes: Spirits essentials

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      Check: Spirits essentials

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      Lesson notes: Liqueurs, mixers and prep

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      Check: Liqueurs, mixers and prep

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      Lesson notes: Techniques

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      Check: Techniques

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      Lesson notes: Sours and highballs

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      Check: Sours and highballs

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      Lesson notes: Spirit-forward drinks and crowd favourites

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      Check: Spirit-forward drinks and crowd favourites

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      Lesson notes: Guest service and speed

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      Check: Guest service and speed

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      Lesson notes: Responsible service

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Check: Responsible service

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      Final review: fifteen facts

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      Final exam

Academy of Wine & Spirits logo

Your certificate: Certified Bartending Enthusiast™

Pass the final exam and you receive your Certified Bartending Enthusiast™ certificate, signed by Christian Esser, Director of Education, Academy of Wine & Spirits. Add it to your CV and LinkedIn profile and show guests and employers what you know.

Christian Esser, Director of Education, Academy of Wine & Spirits

Meet your educator: Christian Esser

Christian Esser is the founder and Director of Education of the Academy of Wine & Spirits, winner of two LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 (Caribbean & USA): Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider and Hospitality Training Excellence Award. A Wine, Spirits & Sake Educator with formal training in viticulture and winemaking, he brings 20+ years of experience across 43 countries. He founded The Rum Ambassador, the first international rum certification, with WIRSPA, and led wine programmes at Grand Old House, Ortanique and Cayman Spirits Co. Liquid Lively Fun

Award-winning education

LUXlife Hospitality Awards 2026 · Caribbean & USA ★ Best Luxury Beverage Education Provider 2026 ★ Hospitality Training Excellence Award 2026

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have access? Six months (183 days) from the day you enroll, so you can study at your own pace and practise. Can I start anytime? Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced: start the moment you enroll and study on any device, whenever it suits you. It takes about 8 hours in total, including hands-on practice, in ten modules you can complete at your own pace. What language is it in? The course is taught online in English. What do I need? A phone, tablet or computer with internet, plus basic bar tools (a cocktail tin set, strainers, a jigger, a bar spoon and a muddler), ice, fresh limes and lemons. The welcome lesson lists a starter set of spirits and modifiers. How does the exam work? A short, ungraded check after each module, then a 30-question final exam. Score 70% or more to pass; you have two attempts. Are there videos? Video lessons are being added through November; the lesson notes already cover everything you need. Is there a classroom version? Yes. AWS Level 1 in Bartending also runs as a one-day classroom course (US$295). Contact us for dates. What's next? Continue with AWS Level 2 in Bartending – Certified Junior Bartender™. Questions? Email [email protected] or call +1 (345) 938 0458. We are happy to help, including group bookings for teams.

Liquid Lively Fun

Get behind the bar with confidence: 10 modules, 15 classic cocktails and your AWS certificate. Course image: Cocktailmarler, CC BY-SA 3.0. Questions? [email protected] · +1 (345) 938 0458

$195.00

Enroll now – US$195