GREY GOOSE® Vodka Celebrates the 138th Running of the Kentucky Derby With a Commemorative Cherry Noir-Inspired Hat Worn by Actress Debra Messing

CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GREY GOOSE® Vodka has once again joined forces with renowned milliner Louise Green to create a one-of-a-kind Derby hat to be worn by Smash star Debra Messing on Saturday, May 5, at the Kentucky Derby. This eighth year of the Grey Goose signature Derby hat will commemorate the launch of GREY GOOSE Cherry Noir, a masterful blend of GREY GOOSE® Vodka and the finest cherries handpicked in French Basque Country. GREY GOOSE will also showcase its new flavor to guests in attendance at the legendary race at Churchill Downs.

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Debra Messing joins a prestigious roster of GREY GOOSE® Vodka Derby hat alumni including Paula Patton, Rebecca Romijn, Brooke Shields and Molly Sims. Messing, along with milliner Louise Green, will autograph the GREY GOOSE Cherry Noir-inspired hat for online auction through charitybuzz (www.charitybuzz.com) with proceeds benefitting the Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation.

"Each year we aim to raise the bar on our signature design for the GREY GOOSE-inspired Derby hat," said Shane M. Graber, VP and Managing Director of Vodkas for Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. "With the launch of our flavor first new flavor in five years, it was a perfect time to create a hat that embodies the more sensual and sophisticated side of the brand that Cherry Noir represents."

"I am excited to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with GREY GOOSE," said Messing. "The Kentucky Derby is the most glamorous and exciting day in Thoroughbred racing and I am honored to wear the GREY GOOSE Cherry Noir Derby hat this weekend in support of a worthy charity."

 

Messing, who currently stars in NBC's Broadway drama Smash, is well known for her roles in the comedy Will and Grace and mini-series The Starter Wife.

In addition to its famous Derby hat, GREY GOOSE® Vodka will further celebrate this year's Derby festivities and the launch of GREY GOOSE Cherry Noir by featuring the GREY GOOSE Oaks Lilly signature cocktail, as well as the GREY GOOSE Cherry Lane and Cherry Moon cocktails throughout the races.
 

GREY GOOSE® Cherry Lane

1 1/2 parts GREY GOOSE® Cherry Noir Flavored Vodka
3/4 parts BENEDICTINE® Liqueur
1 1/2 parts Lemon
3/4 parts Simple Syrup
1 dash Bitters

Mix all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini cocktail glass and garnish with cherries on a cocktail pick.

GREY GOOSE® Cherry Moon

1 1/2 parts GREY GOOSE® Cherry Noir Flavored Vodka
3 1/2 parts Lemon Lime soda
1/2 part Grenadine

Fill glass slightly above rim with cubed ice. Pour ingredients in order listed to 1/2 inch from top of glass and stir. Add soda straw and garnish with a cherry.

GREY GOOSE® Oaks Lilly

1 1/2 parts GREY GOOSE® Original
3 parts Cranberry juice
1/2 part Lime Juice

Fill glass slightly above rim with cubed ice. Pour ingredients in order listed to 1/2 inch from top of glass. Stir slowly and garnish with a lime.

GREY GOOSE® VODKA AND FLAVORED VODKAS

Blended and bottled in the celebrated Cognac region of Western France, GREY GOOSE Vodka is truly a unique offering. Every element that goes into its production ensures that GREY GOOSE Vodka stands alone as the "World's Best Tasting Vodka." The 80 proof super-premium spirit is packaged in beautiful frosted glass bottles, with a clear window in the shape of a Grey Goose silhouette that allows a peek at the flight of the Grey Goose across the majestic Massif Central Mountains. Each bottle is sealed with a cork stopper and an elegant foil closure. The GREY GOOSE portfolio is comprised of GREY GOOSE Vodka, GREY GOOSE La Poire, GREY GOOSE L'Orange, GREY GOOSE Le Citron, and GREY GOOSE Cherry Noir flavored vodkas.

About Louise Green

Since 1987, Louise Green Millinery has created romantic and beautiful, vintage inspired designs that have crowned stylish women, music and movie stars.  British born and raised, Louise studied fine arts in her university education.  Less formally, the streets and people of London instilled a fascination for the richness of the past and a passion for ornamentation and color.  Since its inception, Louise Green Millinery has grown from serving an elite West Los Angeles clientele to include many of the finer boutiques and department stores across the United States and around the world.  Louise Green hats are also consistently featured in top fashion magazines and on the heads of some of music and movies brightest stars.  At the 9,000 square foot factory in the heart of West Los Angeles, California, Louise Green currently operates one of the most successful high-end millinery companies in the United States.  Louise Green has won Millinery Designer of The Year three times. 

About the Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation

The Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation ("Churchill Charities") is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization founded by Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2001 to support charitable organizations that assist the horse racing and gaming industries, as well as non-profit organizations that promote public welfare, education and the arts. Information about Churchill Charities can be found at www.ChurchillDownsIncorporated.com/Foundation or by e-mailing [email protected]. 

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©2012 GREY GOOSE, THE GREY GOOSE BOTTLE DESIGNS AND THE GEESE DEVICES ARE TRADEMARKS AND/OR REGISTERED TRADEMARKS.  IMPORTED BY GREY GOOSE IMPORTING COMPANY, CORAL GABLES, FL.  VODKA 40 % ALC. BY VOL.; FLAVORED VODKAS 40 % ALC. BY VOL.- DISTILLED FROM GRAIN.

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