The art of crafting a great cocktail is about more than just mixing ingredients. It’s about understanding the story behind every spirit, mastering techniques and building connections. With these principles in mind, we launched "Class to Glass" in October 2024, an educational seminar designed to close the gap in knowledge among hospitality professionals and enthusiasts in Kingston and the greater Hudson Valley.

The Mission

The initial goal of "Class to Glass" was to bridge the educational divide among bartenders, servers and other hospitality professionals and ensure that we answer the questions of how and why. Beyond that, it aims to create a community — a network where individuals can share ideas, find mentorship and connect with local and non-local brands like brewers, distillers, winemakers and distributors. The seminar is about more than just cocktails; it’s about strengthening the ties that make our industry thrive.

What to Expect

Each session of "Class to Glass" focuses on a new topic or skill, tailored to the needs of the group. We started in October with a discovery meeting to assess participants’ knowledge and expectations, recognizing that everyone comes with different experiences and expectations. Each session has two parts: an abstract lecture and roundtable discussion, followed by a hands-on cocktail-making workshop. Instead of focusing on a specific recipe, we explore categories or styles of cocktails, giving participants room for creativity and experimentation.

The direction of each session is shaped by participant feedback. Encouraging attendees to suggest topics anonymously that they’re curious about, and based upon demand, we steer the class accordingly. This ensures that the seminar remains relevant and engaging.

A Growing Community

While "Class to Glass" was designed primarily for hospitality professionals, we have recently begun to welcome cocktail enthusiasts as well to be able to help level up their skills in a practical manner. The goal is to connect bar managers, bartenders, owners and operators and servers with local and non-local brands, fostering collaboration and growth. Participants have traveled from Orange and Dutchess counties and even as far out as Catskill to attend, indicating the interest in something like this.

However, the next step is encouraging more local bartenders, servers, and owners to join the discussion. The connections formed in these seminars already demonstrate the value of collaboration; now, we just need more people to actively engage and elevate the conversation.

Uncovering Untapped Potential

"Class to Glass" is also about spotlighting contributions that might otherwise go unnoticed. For example, Kyran at Wiltwyck Spirits developed a shelf-stable lime and lemon juice that not only tastes better than the real thing but also makes cocktail creation more accessible and cost-effective. Innovations like these are a testament to the talent and creativity within our local community.

Why It Matters

The feedback for "Class to Glass" has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees expressing gratitude for an opportunity they’ve never seen offered before. Notably, the United States Bartenders' Guild (USBG) has a chapter in New York City and Buffalo but no presence in the Hudson Valley or Capital Region. This group is our way of laying the groundwork for future growth, with the ultimate goal of establishing a USBG chapter right here in the Hudson Valley.

Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or just someone who loves a well-made cocktail, "Class to Glass" offers something for everyone. Join us, and let’s raise the bar together — one class, and one glass, at a time.

Anton Kinloch's Lone Wolf Kingston is located at 240 Foxhall Ave. in Midtown Kingston. For more information, click here.