The Intoxicologist

Ginger often overpowers cocktails with its pungent flavor personality.  The kick is spicy and lingers long.  Without careful consideration to precise measurements all other ingredients in a drink can quickly fade into the background with ginger’s profile blaring front and center.  This has been the case with fresh ginger and many ginger liqueurs that have been introduced to the market nationally and within niche areas of the country.  Even so, ginger has been a terrific flavor addition for adding a hint of exotic and sophistication to cocktail recipes.  Usually blending ginger into a cocktail requires muddling fresh ingredients which takes time and in some markets fresh ginger is unavailable.  There are also ‘fresh’ squeeze tubes of chopped ginger found in grocery produce sections, powdered ginger, ginger teas and of course liqueurs.  SKYY Spirits newest offering of SKYY Infusions Ginger brings one more option to the cocktail creation menu of choices.

Aroma – Light, almost lilting scent of ginger.  Hint of sweetness and spice.  Possible smidgen of cinnamon.  No alcohol burn on the nose.

Neat – Definite sweetness in the taste, but not overloaded.  Fraction of spicy flavor bite.  The spice nearly burns, but ceases as immediately as it begins.  Residual spice in the finish that carries the ‘alcohol’ aura so common to vodkas. 

Extremely attractive flavor variety for vodka since up to now only heavily sweetened ginger liqueurs have been readily available on a wide scale.  SKYY Infusions Ginger seems to have found a nice balance of lightly infused flavor character without overwhelming the palate.  SKYY Infusions Ginger will pair well with spicy and fruit blend cocktails in summery and warm toned creations due to the nature of ginger’s versatility and the delicate nature SKYY Spirits was able to carry this concept to fruition.

Ginger Goes Blonde – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

7 Fresh Pineapple Chunks

2 parts SKYY Ginger Infusions

1/2 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 part Elderflower Syrup

1/2 part Egg White

Muddle six pineapple chunks in bottom of mixing glass, saving one for garnish.  Add remaining liquid ingredients and ice to glass.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with skewered pineapple chunk.

Light, airy with almost apple like flavor.  Summery feel.  Egg white adds beautiful froth to the cocktail, but also carries quite a bit of the ginger notes with it. 

The real joy in Ginger is when creative juices begin to flow and realization settles in as to the possibilities this spirit carries within its bottle.  It is no wonder mixologists around the globe have been conjuring up cocktails with ginger tones long before now.  SKYY Spirit’s tag line of Uncover Ginger makes me want to refer to this spirit as a ‘she’ – and ‘She’ (Ginger) sparks ideas in succession due to the readily available play of spicy versus sweet.  SKYY just made playing with the fiery flavor of ginger a little easier by taming the residual heat to an afterglow.

Playing with Fire – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

3 Rounds Crystallized Ginger

1 part SKYY Ginger Infusions

1 part Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco

1 part Fresh Orange Juice

1/2 part Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

Muddle 2 rounds Crystallized Ginger with SKYY Ginger Infusions in bottom of mixing glass, saving one for garnish.  Add remaining liquid ingredients and ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into large cocktail glass or rocks glass over fresh ice.  Garnish with skewered crystallized ginger round.

Nice spicy kick.  This one is worth sticking around for – a good long while.  Deep ginger flavor with tequila notes resonating in the background.  Careful not to sip this one down to swiftly.  Savor the gingerly notes.

Unwrap Ginger: SKYY Infusions Ginger contains the full media release from SKYY Spirits with many SKYY Vodka drink links listed at the bottom for your sipping pleasure.  Uncover Ginger with New All Natural SKYY Infusions Ginger contains five signature cocktail recipes from SKYY Infusions Ginger.

Reviews - Classic Cocktails - Cocktails - Bourbon Cocktails

Champagne & Bubbly Cocktails - Mocktails - Spirited

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

SKYY Vodka Named Official Vodka

for Second Installment of Sex and the City Movie Franchise

MILAN and SAN FRANCISCO, CA (February 16, 2010) – Gruppo Campari and its North American subsidiary Skyy Spirits announced today a comprehensive global marketing deal with Warner Bros. Entertainment for SKYY Vodka® to serve as the official vodka and promotional partner for the highly anticipated new film Sex and the City 2, debuting in theatres in the U.S. on Friday, May 28. 

“After the tremendous success of SKYY Vodka’s partnership with the first Sex and the City film, there was no question that we wanted to continue our support of this lasting cultural phenomenon,” said Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Gruppo Campari.  “Sex and the City helped to define sophisticated cocktail culture around the world, and that tradition will continue as SKYY teams with Warner Bros. to give fans another reason to celebrate friendship, fashion and ‘cocktail couture’ with Sex and the City 2.” 

This new promotional partnership between Warner Bros. and Gruppo Campari/Skyy Spirits is a multi-faceted program that will showcase “cocktail couture:” the convergence of the iconic Sex and the City style and fabulous SKYY cocktails, the perfect accessory for social occasions.  Key elements of the promotional program include:

Advertising:  Global co-branded advertising featuring print, broadcast, outdoor, digital and social media vehicles.

Celebrity Spokesperson:  Renowned Sex and the City Costume Designer Patricia Field will

serve as a spokesperson for multiple components of the SKYY campaign, as well as lending her design talents to several promotional elements tied to the film.

“So many of Sex and the City’s most stylish moments have been when the ladies were out in Manhattan, dressed to the nines, bonding over fun cocktails,” says Field. “SKYY Vodka has always been a brand with style, so I was thrilled to partner with them to create something special that celebrates those special ‘cocktail couture’ moments that truly are the essence of SKYY and Sex and the City.”

Limited-Edition Bottle:  To commemorate the launch of the motion picture, Patricia Field will design a limited-edition SKYY Vodka Sex and the City 2 bottle, which will be available at retailers around the world in May, just in time for the film’s release.  This is the first themed design change to the iconic cobalt blue SKYY bottle in the brand’s history.

On-Premise/Off-Premise Promotions:   Sex and the City 2 promotions will feature signature SKYY Vodka cocktails inspired by the film, highlighted by a line of limited edition fashion and cocktail accessories designed by Patricia Field that will be available at bars and restaurants across the US.

Sweepstakes/Giveaways: SKYY will execute consumer sweepstakes (where legal) in key markets tied to the advertising for a chance to win tickets to the star-studded Sex and the City 2 premieres, a local advance screening or other fabulous prizes.  Consumers in the U.S. will also have a chance to win a New York City shopping spree with Patricia Field.  Consumers can sign up now in the “Membership” section of http://www.skyy.com/or become a fan at Facebook.com/skyyvodka to receive more information.

Advance Charity Screenings:  In addition to offering consumers around the world tickets to select advance screenings, SKYY Vodka will also host a series of charity screenings of Sex and the City 2 in the U.S. just prior to the film’s national release, making SKYY fans among the first to see the film. The celebratory screenings, scheduled to be held in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco, will be ticketed events with 100 percent of ticket sales benefitting women’s support charities.  Fans of Sex and the City that want to see an advance screening of the film, have a fabulous SKYY Vodka cocktail and support a good cause all at the same time, should become a fan at Facebook.com/skyyvodka, where details on each charity screening will be released in April. 

About Gruppo Campari

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 US 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 and SKYY Vodka, stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, CampariSoda, Cynar, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, Zedda Piras, X-Rated 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 2,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano, are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. http://www.camparigroup.com/.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America.  Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky. 

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.  More information on the company can be found at http://www.skyyspirits.com/and http://www.camparigroup.com/en/index.jsp.  Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Sex and the City 2

Sex and the City 2 stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon. Michael Patrick King directs from his own screenplay, and also produces the film with John Melfi, Sarah Jessica Parker and Darren Star.  New Line Cinema presents the film, which will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.  Warner Bros. will release the film nationwide on May 28, 2010.

© 2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

SKYY Vodka Drink Links of Interest

The Beaded Lady & Mardi Gras Mischief – Cuppa Good Cheer Hot Chocolate

SKYY Vodka Infuses Fun into the Summer Cocktail – SKYY Diver Martini

SKYY’s The Limit Cocktail Competition Winners – Watermelon Lemonade

Mighty Leaf AperiTea & SKYY Infusions Summer Transition Cocktails

SKYY Infusions Drink Recipes - Muddled Magic Cocktails the SKYY Way

Pink Pineapple – Campari Cherry Infusion

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

House of Campari Continues to Support and Highlight Emerging Artists with a New Exhibition, Artist Commission and Continued Partnerships with Non-profit Arts Organizations

May 28, 2009 2:01 PM CDT-SAN FRANCISCO– (BUSINESS WIRE) — Campari®, the legendary one-of-a-kind spirit, announced today a new range of contemporary art initiatives bolstering its role as both a modern patron and muse for the visual arts. Through its patronage, Campari seeks to support and highlight the work of emerging artists through exhibitions, commissions and programs that inspire dialogue and provide a platform for cutting-edge artists to share their passion. Campari’s support of emerging artists will include a continuation of Campari’s signature House of Campari program, with a Los Angeles exhibition and event series, and a new Campari Commission, a grant designed to showcase a new work by House of Campari alumni and then donated to a major institution. Additionally in 2009, Campari will further its longstanding relationships with leading arts organization partners through support of Artists Space in New York, LAXART in Los Angeles, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, as well as supporting new organizations and institutions through its annual sponsorship program.

“Campari has been both a facilitator and inspiration to cutting-edge, contemporary artists for almost 150 years,” said Julie Galbraith, Brand Manager for Campari. “Now more than ever, artists and organizations need brands like Campari who are bold enough to highlight and support their work, understanding the important role of emerging artists in the visual arts and their greater impact on culture.”

Campari’s acclaimed art posters and creative campaigns have featured the work of numerous accomplished artists throughout the decades including included Rolston, Enrico Sacchetti, Leonetto Cappiello, Fortunato Depero, Milton Glaser, and Bruno Munari, whose original contribution is now part of the New York Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection.

House of Campari

House of Campari embodies Campari’s commitment to highlight and celebrate the work of emerging artists. “First Look: An Exhibition of Emerging Artists from Los Angeles Galleries” is the fourth annual group exhibition House of Campari has presented in Los Angeles. The show is a cross-section of up-and-coming artists from some of the city’s most visionary galleries. All the artists in the exhibition have had their first solo exhibition with a Los Angeles gallery in the past season or will have it in the upcoming season. “First Look” features work by Juka Araikawa, Justin Beal, Matt Chambers, Cal Crawford, Noah Davis, Alejandro Diaz, Angela Dufresne, Brad Eberhard, Luis Gispert, Jonathan Hernández, KAWS, Elad Lassry, Gonzalo Lebrija, Mellisa Manfull, My Barbarian, Eamon Ore-Giron, Adrian Paules, Lisi Raskin, Noah Sheldon, Simmons & Burke, Agathe Snow, Mateo Tannatt, Mickalene Thomas, Kaari Upson and Jeffrey Wells.

House of Campari opens at the end of May and continues in Los Angeles into June at 8783 Robertson in West Hollywood. House of Campari features a variety of events co-hosted by cultural and media partners such as the MOCA Contemporaries, LAXART and the LACMA Modern and Contemporary Arts Council. The private events will also feature performance art and musical sets from a range of provocative artists, including Those Darlins, My Barbarian, Port O’Brien and Anya Marina. House of Campari’s title exhibition, “First Look: An Exhibition of Emerging Artists from Los Angeles Galleries” will be open to the public for gallery hours from May 30 through June 14, including the Avenues of Art and Design’s Annual Art and Design Walk on May 30.

Campari Commissions

This year also marks the third year of the Campari Commissions Initiative. Each year, Campari awards a commissioning grant to an artist featured in the previous year’s group exhibition. The goals of the Campari Commissions Initiative are to provide financial support for emerging artists to create significant new works of art, provide exhibition opportunities for showing the work and then to donate the artworks to appropriate museum collections. The 2009 Campari Commission for Los Angeles has been awarded to Andrew Schoultz. Schoultz was featured in the House of Campari Los Angeles group show in 2007 as well as the House of Campari New York group show and a House of Campari exhibition in Miami for Art Basel Miami Beach, both in 2007. His newly created work, “Ten Thousand Leaves in Darkness,” is on view at House of Campari Los Angeles during the run of “First Look: An Exhibition of Emerging Artists from Los Angeles Galleries” and his solo show at Roberts & Tilton, “White Noise and Silence: New Paintings and Drawings,” will be on display from June 13 until August 1, 2009. Previous commissions were awarded to Nathan Mabry of Los Angeles and Valerie Hegarty of New York in 2007, and Mickalene Thomas of New York in 2008. The Mabry commission was donated to the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles and the Hegarty commission was donated to the Brooklyn Museum. The Thomas commission was recently donated to the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).

“SFMOMA is pleased to accept Campari’s donation of Mickalene Thomas’s ‘Sista Sista Lady Blue’ to our permanent collection,” said Sandra S. Phillips, the museum’s senior curator of photography. “This photograph was made here in San Francisco, and we are delighted that Campari has chosen SFMOMA to receive the gift. We applaud Campari for supporting emerging artists through commissions that also benefit cultural institutions.”

Supporting Contemporary Art Organizations

Campari has also continued its ongoing support to create customized arts experiences for various communities through its relationships with Artists Space in New York, LAXART in Los Angeles, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. In addition, Campari will be providing support to other non-profit arts organizations and institutions throughout the year. In the last few months, Campari has supported events and programs for The Aqua Art Fair; The New Museum’s Triennial: Younger than Jesus, The Studio Museum of Harlem’s Birth of Cool Exhibition; Elton John AIDS Foundation Photography Portfolio Preview; Art Production Fund; and Performa’s Metal Ball.

For more information, including a detailed schedule of events, please visit www.CampariUSA.com.

About Campari

Bold, passionate and completely unique, Campari makes a dry and refreshing cocktail that can be enjoyed anytime. Hand-crafted according to the same secret family recipe invented in Italy in 1860, Campari is a unique blend obtained from the infusion of bitter herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water. With its distinct color, aroma and flavor, Campari has always been a symbol of passion - passion that expresses itself in terms of seduction and sensuality.. Campari’s patronage of the arts reflects the modern spirit of the brand as stylish, distinctive and creative.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY InfusionsTM, Campari®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Gruppo Campari

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 and SKYY Vodka, stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, CampariSoda, Cynar, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, X-Rated, 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 2,000 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

The Rose Group

Lauren Lundy / Brody Brown

310-280-3710

Lauren@therosegrp.com  / Brody@therosegrp.com

More Campari/SKYY Spirits News from The Intoxicologist:

·         Campari Acquires Wild Turkey, World’s Number 1 Premium Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

·         SKYY Infusions™ Say Aloha to Pineapple

·         Videos: Campari Campaign Ads – Seductive, Distinctive…Red Passion