Online schools are a convenient solution for someone who’d like to learn the art of but cannot afford the time or the fees required to learn this exciting skill. Worried that needs a more hand’s-on approach for teaching? That’s a thing of the past. Online schools are getting increasingly innovative and their courses include audio as well as video instructions complete with color photos, recipes and loads of tips and tricks. Move over Tom Cruise.

All course material that is sent to you includes embedded video, audio and color photos. For every drink that is included in the course you get a color photo complete with the kind of glassware to be used as well as the garnish. This is important as it helps you get familiar with the appearance of the drink. This is accompanied by a step-by step photo sequence of how to prepare the drink, as well as an audio of the instructor giving you helpful tips, tricks and summaries. Most courses also include a video demonstration of how to prepare the drink.

At the end of every lesson there is a self-grading quiz that gives you your score after you answer it and also provides the correct answers. You have the option of re-taking all quizzes as many times as you need to till you are satisfied that you’ve finally got it! However the crucial test is the final quiz. It is akin to a final exam. It’s only after you pass the final exam that you get to unlock your certificate and can then call yourself a professional bartender.

For those who want to do a course just to look like Tom Cruise in Cocktail, there’s good news! Many online courses include bonus video lessons that explain the fundamentals of flair bartending. You get to learn how to flip bottles in the air, slide them across the bar-top and plenty of other cool maneuvers that are sure to make you look more showman than mere bartender.