Tiffanie Barriere’s Cognac Connection LIVE: Event Photos

Tiffanie Barrier graced Campari Academy’s NYC headquarters to lead bartenders on a spirited exploration of Cognac’s place in Black American history and culture.

On a brisk morning in February 2025, Tiffanie Barriere welcomed several dozen bartenders, French 75s in hand, to the academy lab for a history lesson. Barriere, an industry icon and historian, broke down a century’s worth of history into digestible, engaging lessons, covering everything from WWI to the Harlem Renaissance, Blaxploitation cinema, and modern hip hop.

Along the way, industry pros were invited to share experiences and ask questions, as Barriere traced lines from historical moments to personal experience and the role of culture.

After the presentation, she invited the audience to put the education into action as the academy team wheeled in produce, syrups, spirits, and more. Guests created cocktails referencing what they had learned with the Academy’s tool kit at their disposal, and even received one-on-one feedback from The Drinking Coach herself.

Scroll down for photos from this joyful, collaborative event.

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Watch the digital recording of Tiffanie’s The Cognac Connection here!

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