BELVEDERE TARDIS

Once upon a time, in a far away land…

Last week was the opening of the Belvedere Tardis at The Whistling Shop in London, a sensory tour through the history of vodka complete with yummy food, delicious cocktails, and a bit of theater too. The team has put together a fabulous 2 hour experience that traverses the centuries, highlighting the very best of what vodka has been, and even takes a glimpse at the future to show us what vodka will be.

Check out Tom in a powdered wig during the 1600s.

Here he is during the 1980s, the Cosmopolitan era.

And check out Mr. Ambridge, UK Senior Brand Manager, shaking that Vesper like a pro!

The Belvedere Tardis can accommodate up to 8 people and will run for the next 3 months. Whistling Shop is located at 63 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2DU. For more info or to book an ‘experience’ check out their website http://whistlingshop.com/ or just give them a call at 020 7247 0015.

It’s definitely worth going, if only to see the boys dress up in costume. Tom, you were a dashing James Bond, but I’m still hoping to see Tristan in the conical bra a la Madonna! And Ryan, don’t think you’re off the hook either, the silver ‘futuristic’ leggings are calling your name.

KRAKOW UNDERGROUND

Due to it’s proximity to Zyrardow, Belvedere’s birthplace, I often visit Warsaw, Poland’s biggest and most cosmopolitan city. But this weekend I had the good fortune to visit one of Poland’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Krakow.

With a rich, if not dark at times, history, beautiful architecture, and dozens of great bars, most found in the Kazimierz district, Krakow is the perfect weekend getaway and an even more perfect place to enjoy Belvedere-Rye-Boilermaker-Picklebacks (yes, I sorta made that name up).

Only downside is the weather, but then I guess it is Winter. On the morning I was leaving, it went from looking like this…

…to looking like this!

Yikes.

VODKA’S DEAD…

LONG LIVE BELVEDERE!

After an amazing couple of days in sunny LA, ICS and I geared back up for the cold and headed up to Vancouver for the 2nd annual North Western edition of Tales of the Cocktail. We hosted a five course Spirited Dinner at Chambar with the lovely papa-to-be, Jacob Sweetapple, where each course represented one of ‘Vodka’s Greatest Hits.” From the Cosmo (I know what you’re thinking), to the White Russian (I still know what you’re thinking), to the Bloody Mary, each course featured 3 permutations of these often over-looked, but never forgotten, vodka classics. 

Thanks to Brent for once again making it happen and to all the boys at L’Abattoir and Boneta, Simon, Shaun, and David, for their incredible hospitality. We <3 Vancouver!

GETTIN’ CRUNK

So who was the special VIP mystery celeb guest you ask?? Well…it was Mary J. Blige of course!

Here’s a lovely one of Ms. Blige, just before she took the stage, along with our very own Charles Gibb, President of Belvedere.

The evening was all about supporting (RED), Bono’s charity dedicated to stopping the spread of AIDS in Africa. It was an amazing night, with tons of people (including yours truly!) lending their support to the cause.

So, everyone should remember that for every bottle of Belvedere (RED) you buy, we will donate 50% of our profit to the charity. Delicious Belvedere and a great cause! Win, win.

And check out those SEXY ice buckets! I mean come on, who doesn’t want to pop a bottle when you can have something like that on your table. Just sayin!

LA LA LAND!

So finally, after a looooooonnnnnngggg break (for which I apologize profusely), I’m back! I hope everyone had a great holiday season, a very Happy New Year, and that you didn’t miss me too much, I know separation can be difficult. But not to fear, I’ve made it my resolution for 2012 to keep you updated on all things Belvedere on a much more regular basis. Before you know it, you guys will be sick of me…as if that could ever happen ;)

Where to begin?!?! Well, I’ve just arrived to LA with ICS (that’s Incredible Claire Smith for those of you who are new to this blog) for our pre-Grammy’s activation of Belvedere (RED) with a very special celebrity guest providing a very special private concert this evening! There is much to do today to prep for tonight’s big event so I’ll leave you all with the view of LA from my hotel window! Try not to be too jealous…

Stay tuned to find out who the special celebrity guest at tonight’s concert is…

Belvedere Vodka 101: Infusion

YANKS-GIVING

While I was very sad not to be able to spend the most patriotic of American holidays (errr…except 4th of July…) with my family in the States, the BF + our lovely flatmate, Paul Mant, and special guest star, Jamie Evans, made this Yank feel very at home.

Nothing says turkey and pumpkin pie, quite like Cornish game hens and a cheese board.

But oh what a feast we had!

After the food there were party games, and while some people were better at losing than others…ahem, I think you know what I’m talking about Joe Stokoe…we were all winners in the end.

Wishing you all a very Belvedere Thanksgiving!

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

Last time I was in my beloved NYC it was so quick I barely had time for coffee and a bagel. This time however, I got to spend a bit more time catching up with my pals and checking out some of the city’s newest bars and restaurants. Big ups to my man Martim who has just taken over at Vandaag on 2nd Ave and to all the guys over at Whitehall, Kiki, Chris, Ryan, Nick, love ya work ;)

And nothing makes me feel more at home than a walk over the Williamsburg Bridge on a perfect sunny day!

MONTE CARLO

So it’s been a good couple of days I’d say, you know, a bit of this, a bit of that, just chilling in Monaco with Steve Aoki, no biggie…!!! My first time to this lovely pricipality and I have to say I am positively enchanted. Fast cars, glitzy casinos, and more sunshine than I’ve seen in ages. I was there along with Anna, of previous blogging fame, Ruben, of the London Sales Team, and Brent, Bamboo London bartender extraordinaire, for the MICS (Monaco International Clubbing Show). During the day we hosted guests at The Cloud for cocktails, music and more.

And during the night we invited guests to sip Belvedere and Champagne with the aforementioned DJ (STEVE!!!) providing the tunes.

C’est la vie!