SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- SKYY® Vodka,
the award-winning 94 point rated vodka, is pleased to announce the
launch of an exclusive partnership with world-famous Chef
Marcus Samuelsson, who will serve as
the iconic brand's culinary ambassador. As part of the
strategic partnership, Marcus' main focus will be to demystify
creating high-quality cocktails in the home environment using a
roster of easy-to-make Captivating Cocktails he has
developed, bringing his unique and innovative culinary style to any
occasion.
"Marcus Samuelsson is a culinary
visionary and a true innovator in his approach to both food and
cocktails," said Jason Daniel, Brand
Director, SKYY Vodka. "This
alignment pairs an award-winning chef, who has a distinct voice and
style, with an award-winning vodka to help alleviate consumers'
fears about creating sophisticated cocktails at home."
Samuelsson, who won Food Network's Chopped All-Stars in
May, is the owner and Chef of Red Rooster Harlem, which was named
one of the top-10 new restaurants in New
York City by The New York
Times. A recipient of the James Beard Foundation
Best Chef: New York City Award, Samuelsson released a memoir,
Yes, Chef, a New York
Times best seller, in June.
Continuing SKYY's commitment to quality, innovation and style,
the partnership, which will run from September through December 2012, will focus on bringing the
elegance of Samuelsson's culinary and mixology style to SKYY's
consumers in a very approachable and easy-to-execute way.
"People are used to savoring a fabulous cocktail before a meal
at a restaurant, but are paralyzed when it comes to making these
same cocktails at home," said Samuelsson. "As SKYY Vodka's
first Culinary Ambassador, I have developed a Captivating Cocktails
program that is all about ending this fear and encouraging people
to embrace the art of at home cocktailing. We want to show
people that they can easily pick up simple, fresh ingredients for
artisan cocktails just as they do for dinner."
According to a recent survey on Americans' drinking habits, 92%
of people polled enjoy sophisticated, high-quality cocktails at
their local bar or restaurant. Of that same group, 78% are
too afraid to even attempt them at home.
To curb this issue, instead of relying on hard-to-find
ingredients or complicated processes, Samuelsson has taken classic,
beloved recipes and given them simple, sophisticated, culinary
twists that are easy for anyone to make. To complete the full
entertaining experience, Samuelsson has also created a variety of
inventive small plates such as the Chicken & Waffles with
Spiked Syrup and Turkey Meatball Sliders on Biscuits with Cranberry
Chutney, for enthralling food and cocktail pairings.
Selected Captivating Cocktails include:
Basil Gimlet
Makes 1 cocktail
Inspiration: Peppery Basil gives this citrusy and
sweet gimlet a surprising twist. Here we make a honey solution to
help incorporate all the flavors together. You can serve it up in a
martini glass or on the rocks, but make sure to garnish with a
basil leaf for an added sensory experience.
2 ounces SKYY Vodka
1 ounce lemon juice
¾ ounce honey Solution (1:1 honey and hot water)
5 small basil leaves
Fill shaker with ice and all ingredients. Shake
vigorously. Strain and serve in a martini glass garnished
with basil.
The Savoy
Makes 1 cocktail
Inspiration: This cocktail is bright, light and
refreshing, plus its super simple to make. Muddling is such a
great, easy way to release flavors in your cocktail ingredients.
There's no need to invest in a muddler. You can use the handle end
of a wooden sauce spoon or whisk.
2 ounces SKYY Vodka
3 red grapes
3 white grapes
1 ounce lemon juice
½ ounce agave syrup
In a rocks glass, muddle two red grapes and two white
grapes. Shake vodka, lemon juice and agave together with ice
and strain over muddled grapes. Garnish with a skewer of 4-5
grapes.
White Sangria
Makes 1 cocktail
Inspiration: I love sangria because of its versatility.
It has the reputation for being a summery drink but you can really
enjoy it year-round by integrating more seasonal fruits. White wine
lends a brightness and also allows you to showcase the color of the
fruits a little more than with a red.
2 cups SKYY Vodka
2/3 bottle white wine
2 ounces lime juice
8 ounces orange juice
8 ounces apple juice
1 mango, cut into cubes
2 pears, cut into cubes
Soak fruit in juices and vodka for two hours to overnight (feel
free to add more SKYY for a stronger drink). Stir together in
a pitcher and serve in wine glass.
For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/SKYYVodka or
Twitter: @SKYYVodka.
About Campari America
Campari America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Davide
Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM).
At the heart of Campari America are two legends in the American
spirits industry. The first, Skyy Spirits, was founded in
San Francisco back in 1992 by the
entrepreneur who invented iconic SKYY Vodka. The second is
the world-famous Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they have been
making the world's finest whiskies since the 1800's. Both
companies were purchased by Davide Campari-Milano and together they
form Campari America, which has built a portfolio unrivaled in its
quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among
distributors, retailers and consumers. Campari America
manages Gruppo Campari's portfolio in the US with such leading
brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey®
Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell's Reserve®,
Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolon®
Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico®, Cynar®,
Carolans Irish Cream®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Sagatiba® Cachaca and
Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Campari America is also the exclusive US
distributor of Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky,
Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch®
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, McClelland's® Single Malt
Scotch Whisky, Flor de Cana® Rum, Midori® Melon Liqueur, Hibiki®
Whisky, Hakushu® Single Malt Whisky, and The Yamazaki® Single Malt
Whisky.
Campari America is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More
information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com,
www.facebook.com/campariamerica, Twitter: @CampariAmerica and
www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Campari America brands
responsibly and in moderation.
About Gruppo Campari
Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., together with its affiliates
("Gruppo Campari"), is a major player in the global beverage
sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading
position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence
in the USA and Continental Europe.
The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three business
segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits segment
its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari, Carolans,
SKYY Vodka and Wild Turkey stand out. It also has leading regional
brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, Camparisoda, Cynar, Frangelico,
Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Zedda Piras and the local Brazilian brands
Dreher, Old Eight and Drury's. Its wine segment boasts the global
brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands including
Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa,
Riccadonna, Sella&Mosca and Teruzzi&Puthod. The soft drinks
segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and Lemonsoda
as well as its respective line extension dominating the Italian
market. The Group employs over 2,200 people. The shares of the
parent company, Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A. (Reuters CPRI.MI -
Bloomberg CPR IM), are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange.
www.camparigroup.com
More information on the company can be found at
http://www.camparigroup.com/en/group/main.jsp
http://www.youtube.com/campariofficial
Media images are available at
http://www.camparigroup.com/en/press_media/image_gallery/campari_download.jsp
SOURCE SKYY Vodka