Over the weekend, fashion icon, entrepreneur, and Capital Region neighbor Nigel Barker made a special appearance in Kingston to celebrate the launch of his brand-new ready-to-drink Cappuccino Martini.

Hosted by JK’s Wine and Liquor, the event gave guests the chance to sample Barker’s Colombian espresso-infused cocktail and have their bottles personally signed by the famed photographer himself.

“Mixologists didn’t like making them,” said Nigel Barker. “You have to pull an espresso shot when it comes out hot, then you have to cool it down. Then you have to have your Kalua or your Mister Black, then you gotta get your vodka, then you gotta get your simple syrup… There are a lot of things to get, and then there are a lot of ways it can go wrong. So essentially, I wanted to simplify it for everyone and create a solution and do it well.”

Barker’s wife, Cristen Barker, was also on hand to share her excitement about the new family venture, but admitted she was initially nervous about putting the family name on the product.

“I was very, very excited,” she said. “But then, when I found out that it was going to have our last name on it… I was like, ‘Really?’ But I’m so happy it does now. In the beginning, I was a little bit nervous about it, but it’s so fun.”

The launch marks a new venture for The Barker Company and marks the first major New York product release. Both the Cappuccino Martini and Espresso Martini are now available at liquor stores across the Capital Region.