Daniel Ponsky (The Cabinet of Curiosities)

The Art of Mixology

How Daniel Ponsky Refines the Cocktail Culture in Las Vegas

BY CHANELLE HAYES-SESSIONS

In Las Vegas, where over-the-top shows and giant drinks often steal the spotlight, Daniel Ponsky is quietly doing something far more enduring: teaching people to truly understand what’s in their glass. As the resident mixologist at The Cabinet of Curiosities at Horseshoe Las Vegas, Ponsky reshapes how guests think about flavor, balance and creativity. He does it one drink at a time.

“My journey started in corporate America,” Ponsky recalls, “bartending for a national restaurant brand and venturing across the board, landing in high-end gastropubs.” The turning point came in Culver City, California, at the now-closed Ford’s Filling Station under chef Ben Ford. There, he spent more than five years learning the art of farm-to-table hospitality.

“That’s where I truly cut my teeth in high-end mixology,” he says. “I learned how to evolve cocktails using seasonal and artisanal ingredients, how to understand balancing points and how to build drinks that are both thoughtful and creative.”

That foundation proved invaluable when Ponsky joined “Bar Rescue” in 2016 as an expert mixologist. He has returned on and off for nearly a decade, most recently wrapping the show’s 2025 season. “The show really gave me insight into how many people have an interest in evolved cocktails featuring mixology elements,” he says. “Having said that, the majority of their passion just needs to be steered in the right direction so they can understand the foundation of what they’re looking to unlock creatively. I think it reinforced my understanding of the various landscapes, which I could then teach back to others.”

Armed with this experience, Ponsky brought his philosophy to Las Vegas with the opening of The Cabinet of Curiosities in July 2022. The immersive venue combines theatrical storytelling with a hidden speakeasy, called The Lock, giving guests an experience where they don’t just watch cocktails being made — they participate.

One of the speakeasy’s most popular features is the “Secret Menu.” Guests fill out a card indicating their flavor preferences, spirits and moods, and the bartender crafts an original cocktail in real time.

“The bartender is getting as much out of it as the guest because we’re not going from a recipe; we’re making it as we go,” Ponsky says.

That collaborative approach also defines his Mixology Masterclasses, offered Thursday through Sunday on the Las Vegas Strip. “I designed the classes for the at-home enthusiast to help them unlock their own personal style and creativity behind the bar.”

The classes are hands-on. Guests move through stations instead of sitting back passively. They learn the fundamentals — when to shake or stir, how to layer flavors and how to stock a home bar intelligently — while gaining insider knowledge. Ponsky shares where professionals source ingredients and tools, how much they cost and how to adapt them for home use.

“By the end, you’re going to be able to break down 90% of every cocktail menu you look at now and probably guess right 90% of the time on how that cocktail was built and constructed based on the balancing points and the tips and philosophies that I instill in the class,” he says.

Keeping classes fresh is part of the fun. In addition to core workshops — a Prohibition-era whiskey class, a Southwestern agave tequila class and a tiki-style rum experience — Ponsky adapts sessions to holidays, seasons and special events. Past themes have included St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, Gatsby-style New Year’s and even a WrestleMania-inspired class.

The classroom itself was intentionally designed for interaction. “I didn’t want it to feel like a test at the end,” Ponsky says. “It’s designed to be a ‘we teach it and you do it’ experience.”

If there’s one lesson Ponsky repeats in every class, it’s this: “Build into the flavor.”

“I teach a framework where you start with small, controlled portions and add ingredients gradually,” he explains. “Most people put too much of one element and not enough of the other, and it’s just a guessing game like throwing darts at a board. That’s not how it works. I’ve developed dozens of cocktail programs over nearly 20 years across 19 states, three continents and even cruise lines. This framework allows guests to experiment while maintaining balance.”

Guests often have “aha” moments in class, such as discovering how to make alcoholic whipped creams, how to use one base in three different ways or finally understanding why a drink works. Many return multiple times, bringing friends or booking private sessions. “I’ve had people take the class five or six times,” he says. “They’ll bring friends, book private groups and even schedule classes outside normal hours for special occasions.”

Looking ahead, Ponsky plans to expand specialty offerings and continue evolving his classes for the at-home enthusiast.

“When you look at craft bartending, with 10 being the best in the world, the average person at home I’d probably put at one right now — Jack and Cokes, vodka sodas, lemon drops, freezer-door Manhattans,” he says. “They’re all fair drinks, but if you really want to evolve your game and deepen your knowledge of styles, techniques, fundamentals and mechanics — the bullet points we talk about — it’s about understanding the full spectrum of the class.

“My hope is that when you walk out, you’re closer to a four. That’s a dramatic leap, with a really grounded foundation to begin interpreting what the next levels of mixology are all about.”

Beyond technique, Ponsky emphasizes creativity and understanding the “why” behind every drink. “You have to first nail down what type of drink you’re making,” he says. “Are you shaking or stirring? That choice dramatically impacts the ingredients you use.”

The mixology class encourages discussion and experimentation, reflecting Ponsky’s mission: to teach guests not just how to make a cocktail, but why it works and how to explore flavor, structure and balance on their own.

Mixology Masterclass is offered Thursday through Sunday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at The Cabinet of Curiosities. Classes are $100 per person and include three cocktails, an apron and a recipe card. For class themes and reservations, visit thecabinetlv.com.