In 2011, I bought a Groupon from the San Francisco School of Bartending with the express purpose of achieving better hangovers. For as long as I could remember, I'd go out to some tech event, get drunk on cheap gin and tonics (at the time I thought gin was like gasoline — all the same no matter the source), and then wake up the next morning stupefied. "No longer!", I decided. So I rolled up my sleeves, got behind the bar, and learned that there in fact was a considerable difference between different gins, beyond their price points. My curiosity expanded into every nook of the mixology and cocktail scene — from distilling to stirring and shaking to the tools of the craft. I want to share my journey and what I've learned along the way. We'll discuss how to drink *better* the next time you go out, and get you set up to start your own mixing practice at home, and yes, there will be samples. Bonus: if you have a favorite unique gin, bring it along to impress the room!