NEW ORLEANS, LA (December 11, 2025) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Cocktail Apprentice Program® (CAP) Red Coat class will officially open on December 11, 2025, and close on January 29, 2026. Each year, this globally respected mentorship initiative welcomes 40 emerging bartenders into its Red Coat class, offering unparalleled hands-on experience, industry education, and the opportunity to contribute to the execution of Tales of the Cocktail®, the world’s leading cocktail conference, returning to New Orleans from July 19-24, 2026. The selected 2026 CAP Red Coat class will be announced on May 4, 2026. Brown-Forman returns this year as the CAP Title Sponsor, underscoring its commitment to fostering mentorship, education, and the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Since its debut in 2008, the Cocktail Apprentice Program has grown into one of the industry’s most impactful professional development opportunities. With over 600 alumni representing more than 40 U.S. states and 28 countries, CAP continues to build a global network grounded in mentorship, technical mastery, and community leadership. Throughout the five-day Tales of the Cocktail conference, CAP participants play a critical role in producing and batching thousands of cocktails for seminars, tastings, and Foundation-hosted events, while learning directly from some of the most influential names in the bartender community.
“Becoming a CAP was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career,” said De’Qustay Johnson, 2025 CAP Red Coat from Atlanta, GA. “The program challenged me, inspired me, and connected me with some of the most passionate and hardworking bartenders in the world. The CAP program gave me a chance to prove that passion and work ethic matter more than where you’re from. This program is more than just making cocktails. It’s about teamwork, growth, and representing the true spirit of hospitality at the highest level. If you feel you are ready to push yourself and be part of something bigger, this opportunity is definitely for you!”
“As we look toward Tales of the Cocktail 2026, CAP remains one of our most meaningful pathways for cultivating emerging leaders in hospitality,” said Neal Bodenheimer, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “This program has become a catalyst for growth, connection, and career-defining opportunities. Each year, the caliber and global reach of our applicants remind us just how transformative this experience can be, not only for participants, but for the industry they go on to shape.”
Once accepted into the prestigious mentorship program, CAP participants join an outstanding community of global hospitality professionals. First-year participants, known as Red Coats, work under the guidance of a CAP Grey Coat mentor to prepare and serve cocktails and tastings for seminars and Foundation-hosted events, including the Spirited Awards, Tales Catalyst, and other signature events.
To qualify as a CAP Red Coat, applicants must be:
- Industry professionals (bartenders, bar managers, barbacks, brand ambassadors, educators, distillers, etc.)
- At least 21 years old by May 1, 2026
- Live anywhere in the world and have a valid Visa to travel to the U.S. (must be secured by April 1, 2026)
Accepted applicants are responsible for their own flights to and from New Orleans, and TOTCF will provide lodging at the conference’s host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, meals, and access to events and networking opportunities. TOTCF also continues to support its alumni by offering exclusive scholarships and financial aid opportunities to help further their growth within the industry.
Interested applicants are invited to learn more about the program and fill out the CAP Red Coat application via the TOTCF website. The 2026 CAP Red Coat class will be announced on May 4, 2026.
For more information about Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, visit https://talesofthecocktail.org/.
About Tales Of The Cocktail Foundation
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
