Class Schedule April – August 2024

Garden to Glass Cocktail Series

Join local mixologist Beth Dixon as she demonstrates three original, delicious craft cocktails. Sip samples of each cocktail as you enjoy expertly paired small plates. Fees include demonstration, cocktail samples and food pairings.

NEW! Cocktails with Sensational Shrubs | April 16 | IN-PERSON

Join Beth Dixon as she demonstrates how to make two stellar shrubs (“drinking vinegars” combining vinegar, sugar and fresh produce). Using cold and hot methods, Beth demonstrates how to create pineapple-sage and apple-fennel shrubs, which she’ll then utilize to pair with Tequila and Vodka for some sensational seasonal cocktails. Beth will also demonstrate how to create a delicious cocktail pairing rum and Switchel, a historic shrub made with apple cider vinegar, ginger, and molasses. 

NEW! Flower-Infused Cocktails | June 25 | IN-PERSON

Join local mixologist Beth Dixon as she demonstrates how to bring the garden to your glass by masterfully combining edible flowers, seasonal produce and spirits into three delicious, flower-infused craft cocktails. She’ll highlight Bee Balm in a “Bee Rosy” drink with Tequila, watermelon and hibiscus; Nasturtium in a “Botany Spritz” with Amaro; and Borage in a “Starflower Fizz” with vodka and cucumber.

NEW! Exotic Cocktails of the Spice Trade | August 27 | IN-PERSON

Join local mixologist Beth Dixon as she showcases her cocktail creativity by demonstrating how to make three delicious craft cocktails inspired by aspects of the Garden’s summer exhibit, Flourish: 40 Years and Growing. Beth’s creations evoke an exotic paradise similar to the one suggested by the displays in the Central Garden and showcase spices from tropical locales around the globe where plant explorers of the past sourced the types of palms, ferns and tropicals on display in the Grace Arents Garden. She’ll highlight cinnamon, gin, lemon and basil in the “Spice Trade,” cardamom syrup with Tequila and lime in “Word to Your Cardamom,” and turmeric with pineapple, mango and Rum in the “Bright Side.”

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NEW! Chana & Dal: An Experience with Chef Sunny Baweja at Lehja | May 7 | IN-PERSON at Lehja

Join Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on the road as we explore Indian Cuisine with Chef Sandeep “Sunny” Baweja at Lehja. Integral to Indian cuisine, chickpeas and lentils are both part of the pea family of plants with nutritious edible seeds. Chef Sunny will showcase these legumes in multiple delicious preparations (click here to see the menu). During the demonstration, join Chef Sunny for an elevated and delicious three-course dinner with a paired cocktail/mocktail, wine or non-alcoholic option, and mango lassi!

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Vine to Glass Series

In 2022 and 2023, we tasted 60+ gems from the four corners of Virginia wine country. For 2024, we’re expanding perspective to explore the noble wines of our global neighbors. Via 6 wines per class, we’ll wend around the world with stops in hemispheres north, south, east and west as we delve into regions that fascinate as historic wonders, up-and-comers or far-flung curiosities. Paired with each glass, enjoy thoughtful small plates from Executive Chef Jared Serr themed to the region and wine. Fee includes complimentary wine glass. 

Join us on the third Tuesday every other month for an evening of flights, bites and edutainment from renowned sommelier and author Jason Tesauro. And if you can’t make it to class, we invite you to “remote study” by picking up select Vine to Glass bottles at Barrel Thief Wine & Provisions, our retail partner.  

NEW! Noble & Global: Bordeaux (Inspired) Blends | May 21 | IN-PERSON

Known by many names—Claret, red blend, Meritage—the Bordeaux blend and its offshoots define a pinnacle of the winemaker’s craft: blending. We’ll explore six wines that share a common thread of grape varieties, but differ in their origins, terroir, production, and style. If you love racy and lacy reds that showcase Mother Nature’s power and the winemaker’s art, this is the class for you.

NEW! Noble & Global: Wines of Swartland, South Africa | July 16 | IN-PERSON

If South African wine conjures the over-oak and glitz of postcard-perfect Cape Winelands, wild Swartland is your down and dirty natural antidote. In lieu of consumerism, Swartland is driven by craft, collaboration, and beguiling quality. This hot, rugged, dry land harbors old-vine bush-vines which imbue wines with intense concentration and expression worth knowing.

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Exploring Cacao Theobroma & Chocolate | June 15 | IN-PERSON

Explore cacao with Conservatory Horticulturist, Jayton Howard! As part of the cacao experience, we’ll snack on cacao nibs, feel the benefits of cacao butter on our skin, and see what a fresh cacao pod is like inside and out. We’ll taste raw cacao fruit and develop our pallets to a whole level of chocolate appreciation. You’ll get the opportunity to plant a fresh cacao bean and watch it emerge into a baby cacao tree in a matter of weeks and learn everything you need to keep it growing. Jayton will also provide an exclusive guided tour of some of the Conservatory’s tropical plants, with special focus on our cacao tree.  

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Tropical Food Plants Series

Join horticulturist Menaka Dewasinghe as she introduces you to the tropical food plants of her homeland, Sri Lanka.

Tropical Fruits | June 29 | IN-PERSON

Explore exotic tropical fruits available at many stores in the Richmond region. Learn about ways to add more tropical fruits to your diet, including how to properly prepare raw and cooked fruit varieties, all while receiving some delicious recipes. Watch as Menaka demonstrates how to prepare some of these fruits live in class, and taste samples of the fabulous flavors in a variety of dishes. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how to cook with fruits like Mango, Papaya, Durian, Rambutan, Jackfruit, Pineapple, Banana, Dragon fruit, Lychee, Guava and Mangusteen.

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Tea—A 5,000 Year Tradition at the Queen’s Library Tea Room | August 15 | IN-PERSON at Queen’s Library Tea Room

One amazing plant in over 3,000 varieties produces the second most consumed beverage on Earth: tea. Join tea expert Mark Ragland for an exploration of all things tea through an elegant formal tea experience at the Queen’s Library Tea Room. Located in Jackson Ward, the Queen’s Library Tea Room provides a sophisticated and intimate setting with botanically-inspired decor. Registration includes tea samples, and full tea luncheon with 3-course tea tower featuring delectable savory and sweet selections and British tea room classics.