May 2018

World renowned fashion designer Zac Posen joined Provence winemaker Christopher Duburcq at Bar Salon de Ning on the rooftop of New York’s Peninsula Hotel on Tuesday May 15th, 2018, to unveil the fashion forward limited edition bottle of VieVIté Côtes de Provence Rosé wine.

“The parallels between my company and VieVité Rosé make this partnership effortless. We both hold quality in the highest regard, and work tirelessly to create products that give our clients a glamorous and elevated experience.”
– Zac Posen

Joining Posen and Duburcq were those from the fashion industry, New York’s food & beverage influencers, actress Judith Light and VieVité co-founders Tunch & Aylin Doker.

“We have always considered VieVité not just a rosé wine, but a fashion brand in its own right—one that people are proud to affiliate with. And VieVité is all about having an experience. Zac’s designs complete this VieVité experience. Now when you affiliate with VieVité you are also affiliating with Zac Posen.”
– Christopher Duburcq

The post Event Recap: Designer Zac Posen Partners with Vievité Côtes De Provence Rosé appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Calling all Texas bartenders! Balcones Whisky and Chilled Magazine are kicking off the first-ever Balcones Bartender Challenge!

The original Texas whisky is challenging Lone Star state mixologists to create unique and inspiring cocktails using two of its award-winning whisky expressions: Baby Blue & Texas Rye 100.

Rules and Guidelines

Texas bartenders battle it out to create the most original whiskey cocktail. Stir up the judges with an original concoction using Balcones Baby Blue and/or Texas Rye 100. Judges will select five mixologists to each receive a runner-up prize of $500 and one mixologist to win the grand prize of $5,000. This competition is open to bartenders and mixologists working in Texas only.

• Create the most original whiskey cocktail for a chance to win a grand prize of $5,000. Five runners-up will each receive a $500 prize.
• Original recipes must include at least one or both Baby Blue and/or Texas Rye 100 whisky as ingredients.
• Recipes will be judged according to the name of the cocktail (10 points), appearance/presentation (15 points), written inspiration (25 points), creativity (20 points), and balance of flavors, aroma, and character (30 points).
• All recipes must include a full list of ingredients and preparation/mixing instructions, as well as an image of the cocktail.
• You must be a bartender or mixologist working in the state of Texas to enter.
• Period: May 29 through August 1, 2018.
• All entries due by August 1, 2018.

For more information and to enter, visit chilledmagazine.com/balcones.

The Balcones Bartender Challenge

About Balcones

Balcones was hand-assembled by its founders in 2008 in a distillery positioned under a bridge in Waco, Texas. In ten short years, it’s become one of the most recognized and acclaimed craft whisky distillers in the world, earning more than 200 awards and accolades since 2009. In 2016, Balcones opened its second distillery in downtown Waco, built inside the historic Texas Fireproof Storage Company building.

About Baby Blue

The first Texas whisky on the market since Prohibition, Baby Blue is crafted from Roasted Blue Corn. This rich and oily maize adds new sophistication to the corn whisky tradition, while keeping the freshness and verve of classic American Distilling. Tasting notes: melted butter, caramel, corn, fresh bread, sugar, sweet tea.

About Texas Rye 100

The Balcones 100% Rye mashbill begins with Elbon Rye from Northwest Texas and is accompanied by crystal, chocolate, and roasted Rye that gives it a rich, sweet mid-palate. Tasting notes: soft charred oak, sourdough bread, creamy buttery toffee.

The post The Balcones Bartender Challenge appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Polmos Żyrardów recently made waves when it became the first spirits distillery to receive a grant from the European Union to further its sustainability agenda.

Sustainability has been at the core of the distillery’s vision, driven by the Belvedere Cares program, a platform dedicated to conserving energy during the vodka distillation process and shifting fuel sourcing from oil to natural gas. Overall the brand has been able to reduce CO2 emissions by 42% since 2012 per liter of spirit produced, despite significant brand growth over that time period.

Belvedere Polmos Distillery

“This grant offers a very ambitious and exciting opportunity for our distillery. With this grant, we hope to cut CO2 emissions even further by 80%, becoming one of the greenest distilleries in the world.”
– Rodney Williams, President of Belvedere Vodka

Belvedere Polmos Distillery

Polmos Żyrardów has a long history in supporting the local Polish community with sustainability initiatives. It co-founded the Foundation for Local Environmental Protection, and only sources its Polska Rye grains locally, working to nurture long-term relationships with Polish agricultural sources. It also started the Raw Spirit Program, launched in partnership with agricultural distilleries to promote the sustainable growth of Dankowskie Rye.

Belvedere Polmos Distillation Tanks

This careful attention to producing Belvedere Vodka from only all natural raw ingredients and no additives or sugars, coupled with the distillery’s work in sustainable agriculture, has led the International Spirits Challenge (ISC) to award Belvedere with “Vodka Producer of the Year” for three consecutive years; 2015, 2016 and 2017. Founded on a rigorous and independent judging process, with more than 1,300 entries from nearly 70 countries worldwide, the ISC supported by many of the world’s leading spirits producers who regard it as the international standard for quality and excellence.

For more information, visit BelvedereVodka.com.

The post Belvedere Vodka Celebrates 108th Anniversary of its Polish Distillery appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Iconic Ginger Beer Maker Harvesting Record Ginger Crop Amid Growing Ginger Trend.

With a half century of experience growing and brewing its own ginger, family-owned, craft beverage brand Bundaberg Brewed Drinks—known for its iconic Ginger Beer—is already a world leader in ginger. In the town that shares its name, Bundaberg, Australia, the company is currently harvesting nearly 800 tons of ginger, a ten percent increase over last year. At the same time, Bundaberg is collaborating on the first ever ginger research and development program to advance the knowledge of ginger growing techniques and to continue to provide consumers with the best tasting ginger beverages.

The study comes as consumer demand for ginger continues to see strong growth. Ginger is rising in popularity as an ingredient in beverage products thanks to the consumer trend of exotic and spicy flavors. In fact, ginger ranked in the top 10 trending searches in Google’s 2017 Beverage Report and, specific to craft soda, is the most sought-after flavor, growing five times that of the category[1].

“This innovative research study will allow us to optimize our growing techniques and expand our knowledge, to both continue to produce the best tasting ginger beverages in the world and help to attract larger scale growers to the ginger industry.”
– John McLean, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO

John McLean, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO

In collaboration with CQUniversity’s Institute for Future Farming Systems in Australia, the 12-month research program is focused on the development of unique growing techniques and the investigation of the impact of varied agronomic practices and environmental conditions on the compositional characteristics of ginger. It is the first program to focus on processing-grade ginger and the complexities of large scale production.

The resulting knowledge will be applied to optimize the flavor of the ginger used in Bundaberg’s beverages and to advance the ginger industry in Australia, while providing high quality ginger beverages around the world. While the results won’t be available until the ginger season concludes, the study has already shown that Bundaberg Brewed Drinks will be able to support its local growers with a supply of certified ginger that will have a positive impact on the healthy growing process.

“It’s fundamental to the industry that we continue to find ways to ensure the quality of our ingredients. We are proud of our clean, non-GMO farming practices and want to keep it that way. As we continue to grow we want our industry to prosper, so this is a very exciting time for us all as we see this program develop.”
– John McLean

Bundaberg has been brewing its world-renowned drinks for three generations, perfecting its craftsman brewing process.  Now available in over 44 countries globally Bundaberg Ginger Beer is still craft-brewed in the Australian town to a traditional recipe, using locally-sourced ginger. Courtesy of a recent distribution partnership announced with PepsiCo in late March, the iconic Ginger Beer and Root Beer flavors are set to appear in up to 400,000 outlets across the U.S.

For more information, visit Bundaberg.com.

The post Bundaberg Launches First Ever Ginger Research Program appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Keesha Sharp has become known in the entertainment industry for her innate ability to bring complex characters to life on screen, her steadfast professionalism and her irrefutable beauty, inside and out. 

In 2018 Keesha can be seen starring as Trish Murtaugh in the international hit series Lethal Weaponon FOX. Rebooting the hit movie franchise of the same name, Lethal Weapon follows Martin Riggs (Clayne Crawford) and Roger Murtaugh (Damon Wayans) as they combat crime in Los Angeles. Keesha shines as Trish, an attorney and devoted wife and confidante to Roger. Lethal Weaponbecame an instant hit in the U.S. and overseas. Keesha was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards for her work on the show.

On the film front, Keesha was most recently seen starring opposite Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, and Sterling K. Brown in Marshall. The film follows the story of Thurgood Marshall (Boseman), the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases. Keesha is currently nominated for her third NAACP Image Award, in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture category for her standout role as Buster Marshall in the film.

Chillin’ with Keesha Sharp

Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on.

Although I am still shooting the second season of Lethal Weapon, I have a couple of shows in development on the producing side. I am working on directing more TV, working on a Biopic film, and even plan on recording a modern standards album with my husband.

With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your downtime?

I love to dance, box, hike in nature, and hang at home with my family.

When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

I am Gluten-free, so we usually opt for organic restaurants. I love Blue Ribbon sushi too!

Chillin’ with Keesha Sharp

What types of dishes do you usually order?

I love spicy sushi rolls, crunchy thin-crust pizza, salmon salads, and a lettuce-wrapped burger.

Do you cook?

I would love to get better at it, but we keep things simple as home. Usually a simple protein with rice and veggies!

What types of drinks do you order when out?

I’m not a big cocktail drinker, but I usually order tonics and fresh juices or coffees.

Chillin’ with Keesha Sharp

Do you prepare drinks at home?

No, except for the occasional opening of a bottle of wine!

Do you own a home bar?

No.

If you did own a home bar, what would it be like?

I would love a collection of organic wines and champagnes.

Chillin’ with Keesha Sharp

What is your favorite drink/cocktail?

I don’t drink a lot, but my favorites are organic red wine, Baileys & coffee, or a grapefruit Cosmo!

Follow Keesha on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The post Chillin’ with Keesha Sharp appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Storytelling is at the heart of cocktailing and with CHILLED’s next installment of Mixing with NOLET’S Silver Gin, we again tap into the CHILLED 100 influencer network to connect the past and the present but with an eye to the future. Mixologists have embraced gin cocktails as the Wave of the Future and NOLET’S Silver Gin embodies a spirit that’s capable of producing legendary drinks.

NOLET’S Silver Gin & Tonic

In the fourth of a 5-part series, one of San Francisco’s most imaginative mixologists, updates a British classic with a California spin. The recent royal wedding may have sparked his curiosity and inspired him to re-invent a cocktail that’s perfect for a long weekend brunch.

ABC … 123

ABC … 123

By OZ Serafin

“ABC … 123 is a riff on the classic Pimm’s Cup, taking the beautiful spirit of NOLET’S Silver Gin, with its Turkish rose and peach botanicals, as a great base for this all-time favorite. This low ABV cocktail is an easy-sipping and refreshing drink. My inspiration for it was to take the classic and reinvent it, for a sunny California day.”

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
• 1/2 oz. Carpano Bianco
• 1/2 oz. Carpano Antica
• 1/4 oz. Punt e Mes
• 3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
• 3/4 oz. Strawberry & Cucumber Syrup*
• 1 oz. Soda Water

Preparation: This is a straight build cocktail. Pour all ingredients into a Collins glass and top with crushed ice to the top. Garnish with a cucumber roll and strawberry.

*Strawberry & Cucumber Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Strawberries Quartered
• 1/2 cup Cucumber Quartered
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Water

Preparation: Place strawberries and cucumbers in a heat-proof bowl. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the hot syrup over the strawberries and cucumbers and let sit for six hours, stirring occasionally. Strain into a clean jar, cover and keep refrigerated for up to one week.

Meet OZ Serafin

Chilled 100 Member, San Francisco

Born and raised in Los Angeles, OZ first began bartending at Belasco, one of the largest nightclubs in LA. He helped open this giant of a venue and it’s where his passion for bartending grew, as he learned speed and developed his technique. OZ believes in providing great service, knowing the products, and making great tasting balanced drinks. His advice is to stay humble, meet people and show them a fun time while not taking yourself too seriously. OZ is now the Bar Manager at Jack Rose Libation House in Los Gatos, California.

OZ Serafin, Chilled 100 Member, San Francisco

The post Mixing with NOLET’S Silver Gin – The Wave of the Future Part 4 appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Brockmans Gin has created four new summer cocktails that offer a contemporary twist on some of summer’s most classic drinks.

The complex and seductively smooth combination of botanicals in Brockmans lends this spirit to being shaken and stirred into some equally easy yet deliciously different cocktails.

Floradora Passionate Dame

Floradora (Passionate) Dame

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Brockmans Gin
• 1/2 part Passion Fruit Purée
• 1 Passion Fruit
• Cantaloupe Melon
• 1/4 part Agave
• Ginger Ale

Preparation: Muddle 8-10 large pieces of cantaloupe melon in a shaker, add the passion fruit puree, agave and gin and shake over ice. Strain into a highball glass with ice and top with ginger ale. Add the scooped out juice from 1 passion fruit with a few seeds and stir. Garnish with a thin wedge of melon.

Brockmans Aviation Cocktail

Brockmans Aviation Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Brockmans Gin
• 1/2 part Crème de Violette
• 1/2 part Lemon Juice
• 1/2 part Maraschino Liqueur

Preparation:  Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with an edible flower, Maraschino cherry or an ice cube embedded with dark fruit such as blackberries.

Gin Kir

Gin Kir

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Brockmans Gin
• 2 parts White Wine
• 1 part Crème de Cassis

Preparation: Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a flute glass and garnish with a blueberry and a white grape.

Summer Negroni

Summer Negroni

Ingredients: 

• 2 parts Brockmans Gin
• 1 part Sweet Vermouth
• 1 part Aperol
• 4 Raspberries

Preparation: Muddle 4 raspberries in a shaker. Add ice and all other ingredients and shake until chilled. Double strain into a rocks glass over an ice ball and garnish with a slice of dehydrated orange.

Brockmans Gin was recently awarded Gold Medals in three prestigious international competitions including the inaugural Global Spirits Awards, the 2017 SIP awards and the 2017 International Craft Spirits Awards.

For more Brockmans Gin Cocktail recipes, visit BrockmansGin.com.

The post Easy to Mix: Brockmans Gin Classic Summer Cocktails appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

The newest addition to the whisky family infuses Crown Royal De Luxe with the smoky flavor of Texas mesquite wood.

Nearly 60 years ago, Canadian oil workers made the trek to the Lone Star State, bringing with them their whisky of choice, Crown Royal. Known for its regal history and distinguished flavor, Crown Royal became a mainstay in Texas and has left its mark with innumerable Texas fans. Today, Crown Royal is giving back to Texas with its first ever limited-edition release of Crown Royal Texas Mesquite.

Marrying two iconic Texas traditions, barbecue and whisky, Crown Royal Texas Mesquite combines the smoky flavor of locally sourced Texas mesquite wood with the signature smoothness of Crown Royal De Luxe. Crown Royal Texas Mesquite adds a special smokiness to summertime grilling, barbecues and celebrations of all kind that are in need of a little Texas kick.

“Texas continues to be a special place for Crown Royal, so it was fitting to create a variant that harnesses the loyalty of all those fans. With Crown Royal Texas Mesquite, we welcome another unique innovation into the thriving Canadian whisky category, which furthers our commitment to diversifying our portfolio and offering a range of products to suit a variety of tastes.”
– Nicola Heckles, Brand Director of Crown Royal

Crown Royal Limited Edition Texas Mesquite

As a brand that stands for inspiring exceptional generosity, Crown Royal is proud of its long-standing support of Texas over the years, from donating to local hurricane and wildfire relief efforts, to offering safe rides to and from rodeos, to facilitating care packages for military troops at a myriad of Texas events. The launch of Crown Royal Texas Mesquite is just one more small way to continue honoring our regal roots in the Lone Star State.

With Texas flair rooted in every bottle, Crown Royal Texas Mesquite includes the signature box and bag that consumers have grown to know and love. The packaging incorporates red, white and blue hues and, for those who snag a bottle in Texas, the Lone Star is featured proudly on the bag. Crown Royal Texas Mesquite (80 proof, 40% Alc/Vol) is currently available in Texas and other select states including California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada and Tennessee.

Crown Royal Texas Mesquite embraces a flavor as big as the state of Texas, bursting with rustic and refined notes of smoked mesquite and barbecue. Whether it’s served neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, Crown Royal Texas Mesquite pairs well with your favorite barbecue dish.

The limited-edition offering will begin hitting shelves this month at a suggested retail price of $24.99 for a 750-ml bottle.

For more information, visit CrownRoyal.com.

The post Crown Royal Launches Limited-Edition Texas Mesquite appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Stoli® Vodka has announced the launch of the Stoli Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle.

Designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Harvey Milk, the Stoli Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle continues Stoli’s long-time history supporting the LGBTQ community and commemorates the 40th anniversary of Milk taking office in 1978 as the first openly gay elected official in California. Each bottle is individually numbered and the bottle’s label was inspired by a mural by Paraguayan artist Oz Montania featuring the famed Milk quote, “Hope will never be silent.” The initiative will help raise funds for the Harvey Milk Foundation.

Stoli unveiled the limited-edition bottle May 22nd, 2018, also known as Harvey Milk Day, with a kick-off event at San Francisco’s The Café, where Montania unveiled a new Harvey Milk mural inspired by his original mural at an LGBT community center in Paraguay. The event featured remarks by Global LGBTQ rights campaigner Stuart Milk, Harvey Milk’s nephew and the co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation, who spoke about the impact his uncle has had on equality and freedom across the globe.

The limited edition bottle is a part of Stoli’s “Raising the Bar” program, the brand platform dedicated to the LGBTQ equality movement. “Raising the Bar” celebrates individuals and organizations central to advancing diversity and originality within the LGBTQ community. This reinforces Stoli’s recently launched “Loud and Clear” global advertising campaign, created to encourage people to find what drives them and celebrate their bold and authentic selves.

The Harvey Milk Foundation inspires individuals, communities and organizations to carry on Harvey’s values in a timeless vision for a better, more inclusive world. Stoli has worked with the Harvey Milk Foundation for years and is donating to the nonprofit to support its award-winning work towards global equality and acceptance. Proudly produced and bottled at the historic Latvijas Balzams, the donations from the Stoli Vodka Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle will help support Harvey Milk Foundation’s LGBTQ programming in Eastern Europe and the Baltic nations.

“We are excited to take our partnership with Stoli to a higher level this year as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of my uncle’s historic 11 months of public service. The Stoli Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle recognizes our history and commemorates who helped lead us forward towards visibility, a visibility that will be enhanced by this wonderful tribute from a creative and passionate brand.”
– Stuart Milk, Global LGBT advocate and Co-founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation

Harvey Milk Limited Edition Bottle

“Stoli has a long-time history of championing the LGBTQ community and giving back through a variety of philanthropic initiatives. We couldn’t be more excited to continue our partnership with the Harvey Milk Foundation and honor one of the most important activists in the community.”
– Patrik Gallineaux, Stoli LGBT National Brand Ambassador

The Stoli Harvey Milk Limited Edition bottle is 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume (ABV), and has a suggested retail price of $19.99 for 750mL.

To learn how you can join Stoli in supporting global equality and acceptance, visit MilkFoundation.org and HeroesRaisingTheBar.com. For more information, visit Stoli.com.

The post Stoli Vodka Launches Harvey Milk Limited Edition Bottle appeared first on Chilled Magazine.

Source: Mixology News

Like the soulful melody of a song that you can’t stop singing, 21st Amendment Brewery has brought back its mind-blowing summertime sour, Watermelon Funk.

This limited-edition Insurrection Series beer is brewed with 100% fresh watermelon puree, kettle soured with lactobacillus for bright, tart, citrus notes, and entices your palate with the spicy farmhouse aroma of its French Saison yeast strain. A transformation of the brewery’s summertime favorite, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat, this beer turns up the dial at 6.7% ABV and a Funk Factor of 11.

“I first made this beer in 2004 when Vinnie Cilurzo, co-founder of Russian River Brewing Company, and I decided to funkify Hell or High Watermelon Wheat in a chardonnay barrel. The entire process took about two years but the result was something right out of a James Brown song. We’ve evolved the process since then by kettle souring the beer and fermenting it with a saison yeast strain, which has only enhanced its soulful street cred.”
– Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21st Amendment Brewery

21st Amendment Watermelon Funk

With a tart, slightly sour mouthfeel, syncopated sweet notes and downbeat aromas, Watermelon Funk will keep your taste buds grooving.

“This is a beer that will get the party started. The packaging is vibrant and colorful, the beer itself is thirst-quenching, and like Lady Liberty on roller skates, this beer will keep you on your toes.”
– Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment Brewery

A limited amount of Watermelon Funk will be available in six packs and on draft in all 21A distribution markets this May, including AK, AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WA and Washington D.C.

For more information, visit 21st-Amendment.com.

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Source: Mixology News