Born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, Jay Sean is a globally known singer, songwriter, record producer, and arranger.
He got his start singing Bhangra fusion in the UK’s Asian Underground movement in the early 2000’s. Then as a solo artist he really spread his wings, with his music spanning genres from old-school R&B to dancehall hits. Along the way to carving his own niche in pop music, he starred in a few Bollywood cameos and had some noteworthy collabs with mega-stars like Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj. His first hit was alongside producer Rishi Rich with his 2003 song, Dance With You.
Never turning his back on his roots, Sean recently released Surma Surma, a slinky Bhangra single that slips between lyrics in English and Punjabi, and is also launching the world’s first premium, canned sparkling sake brand inspired by his time in Asia.
“I’ve long wished there was a drink that I could enjoy and not feel guilty about, because let’s be honest, a fun time can result in a sluggish, bloated and non-productive next day,” says Jay Sean. “While on tour in Asia, I discovered my love for sake. It’s different from everything else in the West—clean, sugar-free, gluten-free, tannin free, and sulfite-free, all while somehow being incredibly delicious. With Smoothsail, we’ve created a unique, effervescent sake beverage that’s made in America and unlike anything you’ve ever had. It’s so much fun to sip. I can’t wait to share it with the world,” says co-founder and chief cultural officer, Jay Sean.
This new twist in the canned beverages category, Smoothsail is made using only the cleanest premium grade sake, ultra-filtered water and precise brewing process, unique monk fruit and stevia extract blended at 7% ABV—nearly double that of similar hard seltzers. It’s free of sulfites, tannins, and gluten, and is made from Japanese rice wine, which is prized for sparing imbibers the painful effects of hangovers.
Chilled chats with Jay Sean about his new sake RTD, his love of creating cocktails, his fully stocked home bar, and what’s coming up next for the artist.
Tell us about the projects you are working on.
I am always working on new music but am also currently in the process of writing a tv show. As well as this, I am super excited about my latest business venture with my premium canned sparkling sake, smoothsail Watching this grow from a grass roots level is extremely satisfying and exciting!
What do you like to do with your downtime?
I love goin’ out to restaurants and bars, as well as some cozy nights in with the family watching movies or my fav tv shows.
Where do you like to go out to eat?
Since I live in New York, Manhattan has a plethora of restaurants to choose from, I tend to go for places with ambience so that I can stay there for a few hours and enjoy the evening.
What types of dishes do you order?
I’m a pescatarian so therefore my options can be limited, but I love seafood and since there are so many types of seafood, I’ll usually always find something good on the menu. Aside from that, on a cheat day I will kill a pizza!
Any favorite bars?
I love bar hopping, but I do have my go-tos depending on what city I’m in. Sugar fish in London, the Nice Guy in LA, Gallow Green in NYC, Leila in DC, and of course Switch, the bar I own in Virginia!
Favorite drinks?
My go-to is a Titos Martini with olives or a Greyhound. If I’m in the mood for whiskey, I’ll go for a Macallan 12 on the rocks. Since I’m a pescatarian I like a nice Chardonnay with my food. I love wine. I have a nice collection at home for cozy nights in.
Do you prepare cocktails at home?
Yes, I am def the family bartender! I make for myself and others and enjoy doin’ that. I like to experiment with different types of Martinis.
What’s your home bar stocked with?
A whole collection of fantastic red and white wines. Some just for casual easy sipping, others higher end for special occasions. In terms of spirits my family and I tend to go more clear than dark, so I am always stocked with plenty of Titos Vodka for mixed cocktails, altho I do carry some Beluga which I also love as well as some flavored Stoli vodkas for cocktails. In terms of gin my fav is Monkey 47. I also have plenty of Casamigos Tequila, and of course my particular fav Clase Azul. My wife’s family are Guyanese and put me onto Eldorado rum, of which I like Eldorado 12 most, so there’s plenty of that. I also love a good Scotch so I make sure to have a nice collection of those.
Have you ever been a bartender?
It’s funny you say that, in my family and at all the parties I am ALWAYS the bartender although I have never worked as a professional one, I just love providing the fun and vibes. It’s something I love doing!
If you could share a drink with anyone, who would it be?
When I drink, I like to have a good time and laugh as opposed to getting’ into heavy conversation. I think for that reason it would have to be with a comedian like Ricky Gervais or even Will Smith would provide fascinating conversation as well as some laughs.
The sake market has long suffered from consumers’ lack of education about sake, as well as high mark-ups and limited points of sale. Geared towards wellness-savvy, experience-seeking millennials, Smoothsail aims to demystify sake, making it more accessible, thanks to its sleek packaging and spotlight on sake’s many benefits.
Smoothsail, available in peach and berry flavors, is available via the website’s online shop, www.sipsmooth.com. Consumers purchasing eight cans or more are eligible for free shipping across the United States.
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Source: Mixology News
