Gather & Hem will conclude its highly successful Summer Cocktail Class Series with a collaborative finale in partnership with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Guests are invited to attend Herbs & Spirits: A Mixology Class with Lewis Ginter, a gin-forward evening that highlights the natural harmony between botanicals, cocktails, and the Richmond community.
Since launching earlier this summer, Gather & Hem’s cocktail class series has quickly become one of Richmond’s most anticipated events. The series began in June with Barrels & Bottles: Bourbon vs. Whiskey, and continued through July and August, each class offering participants a mix of spirit-focused education and entertainment. The September finale focuses on gin, one of the most botanically expressive spirits, and will include a guided tasting, three signature cocktail demonstrations, and small plates paired with each pour. These plates will be specially curated by Chef Tia, the new female Executive Chef for Gather & Hem and Hilton Richmond Downtown, whose creative approach highlights seasonal flavors and thoughtful pairings designed to elevate the garden-to-glass experience. Herbs and botanicals sourced directly from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be incorporated throughout the class, offering participants an authentic garden-to-glass experience.
Tickets are available here for $55.00 per person or $100.00 per couple and include admission to the class, a tasting of three themed cocktails, a live mixology demonstration, food pairing, and a take-home recipe card. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden members will receive 20% off their ticket cost. Guests will be led by a Gather & Hem expert mixologist, Aimen Hayder, who will guide them through the complexity of gin’s botanical character and showcase the spirit through creative cocktails. “At the end of the day, cocktails should be fun. Gin gives us the chance to play with herbs, botanicals, and flavors in a way that keeps things light, bright, and creative,” said Miri Imburg, General Manager of Gather & Hem. “Partnering with Lewis Ginter allows us to bring that vision full circle with gin, a spirit that truly connects the bar to the garden.”
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden welcomes more than 450,000 visitors annually. The Garden fulfills its mission of connecting people to plants by inspiring communities to explore and conserve nature. Founded in 1984 as a community-oriented nonprofit through the vision of philanthropist Grace Arents, who wished to honor her uncle Lewis Ginter, the Garden continues to cultivate experiences that enhance relationships with the natural world.
Tickets for Herbs & Spirits: A Mixology Class with Lewis Ginter on September 25, 2025, are limited. Reservations may be made by filling out this form bit.ly/HerbsAndSpirits or calling Gather & Hem at (804) 344-4300. While the Herbs & Spirits cocktail class will conclude the Summer Cocktail Class Series, Gather & Hem will launch new fall cocktail classes starting in October. The fall lineup will feature seasonal flavors and holiday-themed classes.
Spirited & Spooky: Halloween Cocktail Class - October 16 | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Shaken, Stirred & Stuffed: Fall Cocktail Class - November 20 | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Tinsel & Tonics: Holiday Cocktail Class - December 18 | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Gather & Hem, located inside the Hilton Richmond Downtown at 501 E Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, offers a refined yet welcoming ambiance perfect for post-work gatherings or pre-theater drinks. The lounge features a curated menu of craft cocktails, local Virginia craft beers, and thoughtfully selected wines. Its signature offerings include their infamous Martini Tree, tableside Champagne Cart experience, seasonal cocktails like the Honeydew It Slow and the Commonwealth Cooler, and a selection of shared plates that showcase the flavors of Virginia.