Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/91577
CELEBRITY Elixir of Love S aké isn't meant to be enjoyed alone. TY KU Director of Marketing Tara Fougner has called it "the drink of friendship," and TY KU Brand Ambassador Perez Hilton has said it's best with friends. But as TY KU's branding becomes nothing short of sexy, saké has embraced its identity as a beverage best shared with someone you love. "It's really the elixir of love," The Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger tells THE TASTING PANEL. "There's a ceremony behind saké, which is to be shared and not to pour your own saké. You pour it for someone you love." At TY KU's recent entertainment extravaganza in Las Vegas, Stanger was joined by fellow TY KU co- owner CeeLo Green, following his private concert for TY KU and nationwide beverage professionals at Rumor Boutique Hotel and Resort. There, the Grammy award–winning artist affirmed his affinity for sake and soju. "I'm very invested in this company and want to share it with the world," CeeLo said, holding a green, illuminated bottle of soju-based TY KU Citrus Liqueur. CEELO GREEN, PATTI STANGER AND TY KU SAKÉ PARTNER FOR A PRIVATE CONCERT IN LAS VEGAS by Allyson Siwajian / photos by Deacon Tyler With its sleek design, TY KU Citrus Liqueur is the only bottle on the beverage market to feature an LED light. "When bartenders go to pick it up, it illumi- nates," TY KU West Coast Manager Michele O'Dell explains. "Our bottle creates intrigue and opens the door for TY KU to introduce a natural way to make delicious, low-calorie cocktails." While Citrus Liqueur's bottle garners attention, its contents also make for what O'Dell calls "hot and sexy Asian spirits." It contains TY KU soju, ginger, green tea and superfruits: yuzu (Japanese lemon- lime), mangosteen, goji berry and honeydew melon. While TY KU's bottles garner attention, its contents are building brand loyalty. "All of the buzz surrounding TY KU, from our sexy packaging to our celebrity partners, is incredibly exciting," Fougner shares. "But our main focus is establishing TY KU as a category leader for producing a portfolio that is the best tasting and best in class." During this Vegas event, TY KU introduced a new way to fall in love with saké with TY KU–infused food. "We've actually infused tonight's bread pudding with the Coconut Nigori, and we used the Silver TY KU for our cheese dip," says Nicole Ramos, Food and Beverage Director at Rumor. CeeLo Green displays TY KU's Citrus Liqueur, the only bottle in the beverage industry to feature LED light. TY KU Premium Sake & Spirits co-owner, Patti Stanger gets in the Vegas spirit with Showgirls at CeeLo Green's private concert performance at Rumor Boutique in Vegas. 46 / the tasting panel / november 2012