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Chef Marcus Samuelsson becomes Skyy Vodka Culinary Ambassador

Skyy Vodka has appointed celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson as its first Culinary Ambassador to design a range of cocktails to be drunk at home.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson has created some easy ‘culinary Skyy cocktails’ for consumers to make themselves

The recipient of a James Beard Foundation award for Best Chef and chef-owner of Red Rooster Harlem, which in 2009 hosted the first State Dinner for US President Barack Obama, has created a range of Captivating Cocktails exclusively for Skyy.

It is the first time the premium vodka brand has enlisted the help of a chef to create cocktails, rather than call on a mixologist.

But after a recent survey of American consumers showed that 78% are too afraid to replicate high-quality cocktails they’ve had at a bar or restaurant, Skyy felt compelled to take action.

“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 will partner with Skyy until December 2012, has created a range of classic cocktails with simple culinary twists that are replicable in the home. In addition, the chef has also devised a pairing menu of small plates for consumers to recreate themselves to deliver an all-round experience.

“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,” he said.  “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.”

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.”

Ingredients:
2 ounces SKYY Vodka
1 ounce lemon juice
¾ ounce honey Solution (1:1 honey and hot water)
5 small basil leaves

Method:
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.”

Ingredients:
2 ounces SKYY Vodka
3 red grapes
3 white grapes
1 ounce lemon juice
½ ounce agave syrup

Method:
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.

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