On August 1, the makers of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur unveiled its first-ever line extension via the new Chambord Flavored Vodka. Chambord Liqueur blends black raspberries with black currant, Madagascar vanilla, and cognac. Chambord Flavored Vodka features premium French vodka mildly infused with the Chambord Liqueur; notes of hibiscus and vanilla play behind the berries in the background. The Vodka retails for $24.99 per distinctively shaped, 750ml orb.
Miami is one of 13 American cities chosen to begin the rollout; the rest of the country will be privy to it shortly. The coming out party for the new Chambord product took place this past Monday night at The Mondrian in South Beach. Four quick impressions of the party, plus a simple, ten-second recipe for a French Ginger Ale cocktail made with Chambord Flavored Vodka follow the jump.
The impressions:
1. Lots of people were stationed comfortably around a sizable
rectangular bar, and in an offshoot lounge, with music playing, chatter
and pleasantries taking place; a generally happy, liquored-up crowd.
2. Delicious cocktails, like the Fleur De Lis (Chambord Vodka and
Liqueur with lemonade and cranberry juice) and French Ginger Ale
(recipe below).
3. Sad passed hors d'oeurves; only saw two types, sushi and little
pre-bought cups fill with vaguely coconutty salad of some sort. I
assume food was provided by the Mondrian, or perhaps by its offshoot
catering company, "Grudging Canapes Ltd."
4. OK, I'm not 100% sure about the following, but I have a pretty
distinct memory of two petite women dressed as Marie Antoinette, one
large cross-dresser dressed as Marie Antoinette (at least I think he
was a cross-dresser and I think she was Marie Antoinette), and four or
five midgets dressed as Napoleon, all milling about and posing for
photos with sundry partygoers.
Which begs the question: Did my drinking a lot lead me to see these
costumed figures, or did seeing these costumed figures lead me to drink
a lot?
The Recipe:
Chambord French Ginger Ale
1 1/2 ounces Chambord Flavored Vodka
3 ounces Ginger Ale
Pour vodka into an ice-filled glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a piece of crystallized ginger and a black raspberry.
