NOTE: iphone and ipad users, CLICK HERE to register for class.
Calling all fermenters and anybody out there who’s fermentation-curious: it’s time you started making your own home brews. In this livestream small group workshop with guest teacher Emma Christensen, author of the new book “Hard Seltzer, Iced Tea, Kombucha, and Cider: How to Make Your Own Boozy Fermented Drinks,” you’ll get comfortable with the fundamental steps of home brewing through the process of making hard cider. Whether you like a cider that’s crisp or funky, dry or sweet, lighter or more boozy, you can achieve it yourself with a surprisingly simple home set-up. Emma is a true home fermenter, so she understands that projects like these have to fit in the space and time confines of a normal home kitchen.
You’ll get an overview of how the fermentation of fruit-based beverages works and will be introduced to the equipment that you need. Emma will start a fresh batch of cider—and before you ask, yes, she will be using store-bought apple juice, as we encourage you to do for your first batch. (As you get more comfortable making cider over the upcoming summer, you’ll be ready to make unique batches with fresh-pressed apples come fall.) You’ll see a batch of cider in progress and learn the visual and aromatic cues to look for as fermentation progresses. Emma will demonstrate the siphoning and bottling process, which is often where things go awry for home fermenters. We’ll end the workshop by asking you to crack open your favorite cider and assess what it is you like about it. As you put your preferences into words, Emma will give you guidance on how to make a home brew that you love just as much, whether that means infusing it with other fruits or herbs, balancing it with a sweetener or adjusting the fermentation time.
About Emma: Emma Christensen is a food writer and editor with over 15 years of experience creating food and cooking content for online and print publication. She is the general manager for Simply Recipes and the Spruce Eats, and a former editor for The Kitchn. She is also the author of three books on homebrewing, True Brews, Brew Better Beer, and Modern Cider, and she collaborated on the James Beard Award-winning The Kitchn Cookbook. Her work has appeared in Fine Cooking, Vegetarian Times, Cook's Illustrated, and Edible Columbus. Emma is a graduate of The Cambridge School for Culinary Arts and Bryn Mawr College.
Order a copy of Emma's book, “Hard Seltzer, Iced Tea, Kombucha, and Cider: How to Make Your Own Boozy Fermented Drinks”, and use code MILK2025 to get 10% off here: https://www.portersquarebooks.com/book/9780593835777
Thank you to the 2025 Annual Sponsors of the Cooking School, who make our livestream events possible:
- Coccinella, whose Oleavia Extra-Virgin Olive Oils are made with olives that are harvested early, hand-picked and cold-pressed to ensure impeccable flavor. Use code MILK STREET to get 20% off your first order: https://www.coccinellastore.com/oleavia-evoo
- Copper, which makes battery-equipped induction ranges that power premium cooking experiences and store renewable energy — without the need for complex, expensive electrical upgrades. Learn more: t.ly/cU1pO
- Vermicular. With 80+ years of Japanese craftsmanship and heating innovation, they craft thoughtfully designed cast iron cookware that inspires chefs of all levels. Use code COOKLIGHT for 10% off their products at the Milk Street Store: t.ly/mu01T
- Work Sharp, which makes sharpening products that are fast, easy to use and work every time. Find their products on the Milk Street Store and use code SHARPSMART for 10% off: t.ly/SSsSz
- Wulf’s Fish and Savenor’s Market. Together, Wulf’s and Savenor’s provide premium seafood and gourmet meat to chefs and home cooks across the country. Use code MILKSTREET for 20% off orders from Wulf’s (t.ly/REVSO) and Savenor’s (t.ly/CRwjA).
Our small-group Workshops are capped at just 25 attendees and are distinct from our livestream Classes. As such, they are NOT included with Insider membership.
Want to give this class as a gift? You can purchase gift cards here.
Immediately after registering, you will get a confirmation email that contains the Zoom meeting log-in information. One week prior to the class (or within 48 hours, if you register less than one week in advance), you will receive instructions on how to prepare ingredients and equipment in order to cook along with us.
After class, you will receive a recording of the event, as well as a packet with recipes and resources that we discuss during the event. If you have any questions about this class, please don't hesitate to get in touch via cookingschool@177milkstreet.com.
This event has limited spots, and you must register in advance via Eventbrite. One sign-up covers one device. Closed Captioning is available for this event.
Payments for Milk Street livestream workshops are non-refundable. If you find yourself unable to attend, you may transfer the ticket to someone else, but we are unable to refund fees and all payments are final.
Proceeds from live stream cooking classes and workshops support Milk Street's non-profit work with The Big Sisters Association of Great Boston, The Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester, and other partners.
Bonus: All attendees of this class will receive a one-time 20% off coupon to the Milk Street Store after class.
