After many years behind the bar in New York City, from Odessa in the East Village and Back Room in the LES to Madam Geneva on the Bowery, I made the leap from bartender to brand ambassador. I’m now lucky enough to travel the world meeting bartenders (and whoever will listen really!) while spreading the good word of Belvedere Vodka.Tumblr (3.0; @belve)http://blog.belvederevodka.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/e4225351f9eb1deb59f3206250652c92/tumblr_mltazyIGAD1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/62c1c506e346b8243ece562677c65774/tumblr_mltazyIGAD1qkkjuxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/aeab2810e37a23d28d178e3533e25b0f/tumblr_mltazyIGAD1qkkjuxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/0d540b478c7b7b4edef43610161c18e0/tumblr_mltazyIGAD1qkkjuxo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e3dc4cc0c10624f04b90649e276e629a/tumblr_mltazyIGAD1qkkjuxo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>What an amazing couple of days in INCREDIBLE India! This country never ceases to impress me. </p> <p>I visited both Mumbai and Delhi during my stay and was lucky enough to judge an Indian themed cocktail competition called ‘Belvedere Rasa,’ where bartenders were inspired by the exotic flavors of the sub-continent. I tasted cocktails made with cardamom, chaat masala, and kokum just to name a few. In the end three winners were chosen from each city and their specialty drinks will be featured on select drink menus for the next couple of months. </p> <p>And big thanks to Mitalee and Deepika for taking me sari shopping! I now have the perfect outfit to wear to the Indian wedding I’m attending this summer.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48850490733http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48850490733Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:04:45 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4fbb5a2b1fa8932e104733d11d9fccd0/tumblr_mlhxplCCOD1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8b92f65376d4556071cc2fe301c9a843/tumblr_mlhxplCCOD1qkkjuxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/9982c14730202b84b4e56434178da710/tumblr_mlhxplCCOD1qkkjuxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/40bb4432e20e62de8deb31bd96124441/tumblr_mlhxplCCOD1qkkjuxo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>It’s been a whirlwind three days here in Hong Kong, one of Asia’s most exciting, and fast paced cities. With it’s non-stop nightlife and 24 hour lifestyle, it reminds me a lot of New York. </p> <p>My first night in town I was invited to attend the annual MHAP awards that honors excellence in everything from marketing and events, to PR and sales across all Moët Hennessy brands in the Asia Pacific region. Everyone came in national dress from their respective markets, and the big winner of the night was definitely China. </p> <p>I was also lucky enough to get to work with Eric Stephenson of Lily and Bloom, central Hong Kong’s premiere cocktail bar, to create two signature Belvedere cocktails to be featured on their menu for the next two months. Funnily enough, it turns out that Eric and I actually have lots of friends in common from NYC. It really is a small, small world!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48347126584http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48347126584Fri, 19 Apr 2013 05:44:09 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e5552ee78ffa1eb626144cf247b6bdc2/tumblr_mlcacfqk871qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/81811efebfdf385770b3f29aa0338980/tumblr_mlcacfqk871qkkjuxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e1d73376d860a057329737da65f2555b/tumblr_mlcacfqk871qkkjuxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/7a76a41bbff799e6f69c8b68bfaf0fab/tumblr_mlcacfqk871qkkjuxo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d4f1bd9077b5b56c8f77e8c04f7d324f/tumblr_mlcacfqk871qkkjuxo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Last night Ho Chi Minh hosted one helluva fashionable party, even if it was only a Monday!</p> <p>The day started with 20 of the city’s top bartenders competing in a drinks competition to create the ultimate Belvedere cocktail that would not only reflect the brand, but also the tastes of the local Vietnamese market. After trying numerous delicious drinks, I picked three finalists to recreate their recipes at our evening party where the guests decided who took home the grand prize. While all three cocktails were special, Sunshine Vietnam, with it’s exotic blend of ginger, lychee, lemongrass, and Belvedere, naturally, took home the honors. </p> <p>In addition to the refreshing beverages, guests were also treated to a fashion show by some of Vietnam’s top models. Ooooo la la!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48110048352http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48110048352Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:31:26 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b112bcbbd9f14d7e1019285b4ff17d74/tumblr_ml9ywilvAG1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/2bdeac26afc6d9cd5570ddc5d9344ad6/tumblr_ml9ywilvAG1qkkjuxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4bbd2ca8a8a4365b4d152ddcb7e4c02a/tumblr_ml9ywilvAG1qkkjuxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>It’s my second time in Ho Chi Minh and the city is even better than I remember it the first time around. The people are some of the most welcoming, the food is incredibly fresh and flavorsome, and the coffee, oh the Vietnamese coffee! Two words, condensed milk. All of that plus the tropical weather and green city scape make this the perfect place to an enjoy a night out with Belvedere.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48010528485http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/48010528485Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:29:06 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/5617525f44ac45c8d0bf78f4052d54e9/tumblr_ml7ei6z0Rl1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>And so it’s time to bid adieu to the vibrant city of Manila, but not without a proper Belvedere send off, and an extra special thanks to my girl Chi Chi!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/47876313908http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/47876313908Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:13:18 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/467357268f9b97f6c4a79a9ae686291e/tumblr_ml362qHc4V1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/290c2a2146641bf8dabeaab9e267d450/tumblr_ml362qHc4V1qkkjuxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Here in sunny, hot (and I mean REALLY hot) Manila, I had the pleasure of training some of the city’s top bartenders at the ultra lush Peninsula Hotel. </p> <p>Today marks the first day of my epic 3 week long Asian tour that is being documented by a film crew from lifestyleasia.com. The five episode web series will not only feature our lovely Belvedere vodka, but also the nightlife of the vibrant host cities. Stay tuned for more from The Philippines and beyond!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/47692213218http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/47692213218Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:20:50 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/bcbde9ceee3e3d3cf5bd84706ad09157/tumblr_mjvfrcsWf21qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/15e22995d167555ebe4207ebe205243b/tumblr_mjvfrcsWf21qkkjuxo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/435df50add3f82087ad456527cb9c225/tumblr_mjvfrcsWf21qkkjuxo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Big thanks to G and the team at La Raza, in Cambridge, for organizing a fun filled day of all things Belvedere. I always love coming over to see these guys as they are super enthusiastic and always make me feel at home. Huge props to George for winning our mini cocktail comp, and big ups to the other four guys who competed as well. Curran, Pope, Rob, and Channy, way to put on a good show!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/45690255798http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/45690255798Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:35:35 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/123036b0e18f429b2bf8a31da288b05e/tumblr_mjgbwic8U31qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I had the pleasure of judging a cocktail comp on my last day in Montreal with local drinks aficionado, Fanny, at her bar school and kitchen, Atelier & Saveur. While all of the drinks I tried were excellent, top prize went to Eddy from Lab, for his Belvedere and mango take on a classic sour.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/45029023915http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/45029023915Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:48:18 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/601cef994fd63bf6d83f588fd6dccc26/tumblr_mj9vcdWiOj1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Matt, from the Toronto team, played host at a delicious Belvedere dinner at Pure Spirits. The lovely gals from the Martini Club, Michelle and Laura, chose 4 amazing cocktails to pair with the excellent seafood on offer.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/44761884150http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/44761884150Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:05:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/de211adb9fa1ff58d678cf4544425fad/tumblr_mj8xkdDQ2q1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Last week Claire and I hosted twenty Belvedere brand managers from around the world in Warsaw, for a three day brand immersion. As part of the intensive course we also treated everyone to dinner at one of the city’s top restaurant, which they had the pleasure of cooking themselves!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/44709795935http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/44709795935Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:55:25 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/6f17cdc96f6526c40cd8d9ceac9b07ca/tumblr_miucc6E7Xf1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Marcin, from the super delicious Nolita, in Warsaw, treated Claire and I to an evening of Belvedere paired with Chef Jacek’s sublime Warsaw meets NYC cuisine.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/44074669882http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/44074669882Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:50:30 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/69b7a9182f89870c6d91e96871059bbc/tumblr_miap8jn4f01qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I was lucky enough to spend my Valentine’s Day guest bartending with these handsome boys from Kill Joy in Vancouver. While I may be a little rusty behind the stick, it was great to be back.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/43201725577http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/43201725577Fri, 15 Feb 2013 23:17:07 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4bea6f4fccf1592066b06b934504eb47/tumblr_mi7pum1tkp1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Brrrrrrrrr! Here I am with some of the local team and the owners of the brand new SET nightclub in Edmonton, Alberta, in their Belvedere Shiver Room. It’s so cold in there that they give you special parkas before you enter, and all of the shot glasses are made of ice.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/43075053103http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/43075053103Thu, 14 Feb 2013 08:37:34 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/d348ef355ae1d8dfcdbcc0e3062d0ad3/tumblr_mhdrxi4HlY1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>So you wanna know how we make Belvedere Vodka? Well you’re in luck, because soon you’ll be able to learn about the whole process through a virtual tour that Claire and I filmed in and around the distillery. Here’s Claire with the film crew inside our alembic room, where all of our macerations are made.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/41775613761http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/41775613761Tue, 29 Jan 2013 04:34:30 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e42e40ceaf5115b6fa9c26dec8e74f6d/tumblr_mhdqaxIH2v1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Welcome to snowy Polmos Zyrardow, home of Belvedere Vodka! The temperatures may be sub zero, but we’ve got vodka to keep us warm.</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/41774813320http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/41774813320Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:59:20 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbe2m0LZW71qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Tonight is the official opening of London’s newest Ping Pong, or as the British say, table tennis, club. This brand new venue from the boys at Heads, Hearts & Tails, appropriately called Bounce, features 16 tables including the actual ‘Center Court’ from the London Olympics 2012. Come down to this Holborn venue to enjoy more than just a good game of wiff waff. Be sure to try the Mother’s Pearl, Belvedere’s signature cocktail made of fresh grapefruit, lemon, orgeat and topped with a splash of tonic. It’s the perfect refreshment after an…erm…strenuous game!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/32895694027http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/32895694027Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:08:37 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mapwwlz1br1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Check out the good looking bunch of bartenders from the Del Aziz group in London! We spent a really ‘tough’ afternoon creating delicious Belvedere cocktails, 5 of which will be featured on the new menu at all of the DA outlets in London. The Belvedere Black Raspberry Sour was a particular favorite, as was the Citrus Rosemary Gimlet, and the unexpected Belvedere Bloody Mary Mule. Thanks Joe Rorke for organizing everything and for making this picture extra sexy ;)</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/32002381761http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/32002381761Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:57:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mankv2hlpu1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Day 2 in the test kitchen and the Belvedere is still flowing. Currently on the hunt for the perfect martini, stay tuned everyone…</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/31922643213http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/31922643213Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:42:38 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_malmo1KRwm1qkkjuxo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Amazing day in the Bamboo London test kitchen with the extraordinary Brentos. The cocktail of the hour has got to be this unlikely, but über delicious, combination of Belvedere Citrus, Yellow Chartreuse, pineapple, passion fruit, and cinnamon. It goes down a treat!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/31858453415http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/31858453415Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:22:49 -0400<p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackdq79Cv1qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>As my time here in Canada comes to a close, let me reflect back upon this awesome week spent with my lovely neighbors to the North.</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackes92Sv1qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>We mixed up some mystery cocktails with the good ole boys. Big thanks to Devon and Scott for making it possible.</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackgdL2491qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>We perfected the Belvedere Century Soda, the new signature available at Century Grill in Edmonton.</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackj4hJI51qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>Phil Grandbois of justcocktails.org trained ME on Belvedere Vodka! Seriously this guy knows everything. Be sure to check out his website for killer drinks.<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackmwPevX1qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>The VERY attractive team in Calgary! Big shout out to Candela, the beautiful new bar and restaurant that hosted us for the day, and to Marie for organizing the whole shindig.</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackphczQ11qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>The Canadian Professional Bartenders Association strikes a pose after a great session at Clough Club in Gastown.</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mackrzuAX91qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>A rare shot of me getting my hands dirty ;)</p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_macksmu2SE1qjqo9x.jpg"/></p> <p>And last but not least, HUGE thanks to Kellan and Roberto for showing me such a nice time in the awesome city of Vancouver. Shout out to Peter from Opus Hotel, this is a nice place you got here. Go Canucks!</p>http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/31526385717http://blog.belvederevodka.com/post/31526385717Fri, 14 Sep 2012 12:09:00 -0400