Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/221505
SPEED TASTING REPORT CHIC AND SKINNY: VEEV AÇAÍ SPIRIT Skin and Bones ◗ 1½ oz. VeeV Açai Spirit ◗ ½ oz. strawberry purée ◗ ½ oz. lime juice ◗ ½ oz. agave nectar ◗ ¼ oz. balsamic reduction Michelle Bourque, Regional Manager, VeeV; Scott Whitcomb, Hotel Chantelle. "Like New York, this cocktail is a diverse mix of characters and ingredients," explains Michelle Bourque, Regional Manager for VeeV Açaí Spirit, which showed off skinny simplicity with its Skin and Bones cocktail. Created by Scott Whitcomb, bartender at New York's chic and sophisticated Hotel Chantelle, although this cocktail is designed to be low-cal, Whitcomb took his inspiration from food: "It's a classic riff on balsamic and strawberries, and although it's a 'skinny' drink, I wanted to make sure it had lots of flavor." While thin is definitely in, VeeV's commitment to sustainability is more than just a passing fad: The VeeV distillery is powered by renewable energy, and the brand is the first certified carbon-neutral spirits company in the world. The New York Review: "Full flavored for a 'skinny cocktail,' with a nice balance of sweet and refreshing without becoming cloying." —Cory Fitzsimmons "I like the idea of a green bottle and product. A great, refreshing summery cocktail." —Milos Zica "A woman-friendly cocktail that is smooth, light and refreshing and would be easy to sell."—Georges Forgeois MULTICULTURAL MIXOLOGY: TY KU SAKÉ If any U.S. city's a true melting pot, it's NYC, where people from around the world mix in neighborhoods as diverse as a U.N. meeting. Bringing Asian flavors together was the name of the game for TY KU Saké, a Japanese-produced brand that's been making major inroads with the American consumer in recent years thanks to its Americanized name, trends in gluten-free drinking and strategic celebrity partnerships. "My inspiration was Manhattan, with all of these unique flavors," says Dimitri Vathis, Beverage Manager at West Village sushi restaurant Amber. "I love the flavor profile of the TY KU Silver, and I wanted to bring out the natural saké notes and enhance them with Thai flavors. It also is a big nod to all of the Asian influences and communities that influence lower Manhattan." The New York Review: "A nice flavor profile on a balanced cocktail." —Phil Casacelli "Even with all of the other flavors, you can still taste the sake, which is nice. A great sipper for summer and early fall!" —Pamela Wiznitzer "Refreshing with some umami notes showing through. The Lillet marries the sweet agave and the earthiness of the sake. Intriguing and probably great with food." —Cory Fitzsimmons Basil Thai KU ◗ 1½ oz. Thai-basil infused TY KU Silver ◗ ½ oz. Lillet Blanc ◗ ½ oz. agave nectar ◗ Muddled lemon ◗ 3 pieces of shisho leaf Team TY KU came out on World Saké Day. Tara Fougner, Director of Marketing; Dimitri Vathis, Beverage Manager at Amber; Sydney Zarp, National Events Manager; Adrian Molina, Digital Media and Public Relations Manager. 106 / the tasting panel / december 2013 TP1213_104-148.indd 106 11/23/13 8:36 PM