Like baking a cake, mixing a drink requires precise measurements and the restraint to not ingest so many ingredients that you ruin your own birthday party. Become a power mixer with today's Groupon: for $145, you get a 32-hour bartending program at Boston Bartenders School, valid at locations in Nashua and Dracut (a $445 value).

Boston Bartenders School gets its students bar ready in an authentic, fully equipped environment, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and on-the-job training to find whistle-wetting work. Pupils can fit classes to their individual schedules, opting for one week of day classes, two weeks of evening classes, four weeks of weekend classes, or any combination thereof. The majority of the class time is spent behind a realistic practice bar, complete with rows upon rows of real bottles, glassware for every kind of drink, a full complement of garnishes, and an intimidating front-door bouncer. During the 32 hours of coursework, experienced instructors teach tricks of the trade such as freestyle pouring, frozen-drink preparation, wine service, two-handed pours, and opening bottles by telekinesis. Lessons on opening and closing duties, cash handling, stocking procedures, and health regulations also acquaint students with bar-business basics.

All materials are included in the course tuition, including a 145-page manual, a drink sheet, a certificate, a bartender's ID card, and a personalized résumé. Upon graduation, each student receives extensive job-placement assistance, along with free lifetime refresher courses to hone dulled skills or relearn the ingredients of a rum and coke.