"PASSION"- Winner of Emotion In A Glass Competition

NEW YORK, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On this 'happiest day of the year,' Russian Standard Vodka® and the United States Bartender Guild (USBG) are proud to announce Alexander Velez as the winner of the first ever 'Emotion In A Glass' national bartender competition. Cocktail enthusiasts across the country are invited to celebrate this momentous occasion with a taste of PASSION.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110620/NY22780 )

The competition honors the ever-evolving trends in cocktail culture, and for the very first time, creates a new way to experience emotion – in a cocktail glass! Tasked with creating innovative cocktails inspired by an emotion of their choice, over 100 bartenders from across the country submitted colorful and innovative drinks. Entries displayed an array of emotions including HAPPINESS, LOVE, and PRIDE – but it was PASSION that rose to the top. The delicate balance of flavors and thoughtful inspiration of Velez's PASSION cocktail appealed to the expert panel, landing him national coverage in the FOOD & WINE^® magazine November 2011 issue and an educational trip for two to Russia. The trip includes a private, VIP tour of the Russian Standard Vodka $60 million state of the art distillery in St. Petersburg.

"I am so honored to be recognized by Russian Standard Vodka and the expert judging panel for my PASSION cocktail," boasts winner, Alexander Velez. "What I love most about the 'Emotion In A Glass' competition, is that this contest continues to expand the boundary of the traditional cocktail, and best of all, it challenges bartenders like myself to think outside the box and create an Emotion Cocktail, which has never been done before! There is no other vodka that I'd rather use in Russian Standard's place – it's simply the best!"

Russian Standard Vodka also extends a special toast to Las Vegas's own J.R. Starkus, for his LOVE cocktail, which was selected from among the top 25 as the Russian Standard Vodka Facebook 'Consumer Choice' winner. As the consumer favorite, J.R. was awarded a trip to the spirit industry's annual Tales of The Cocktail^® in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sumindi Peiris, Vice President of Marketing for Russian Standard Vodka expressed "We are proud to always support and recognize the mixology community for their creativity and skill. This program is the perfect way to thank bartenders across the country for their continued ingenuity and pursuit to perfect their art. We look forward to showing off PASSION and sharing all of the Emotion cocktails with Russian Standard Vodka fans around the globe!"

This announcement of the inaugural winner of the 'Emotion In A Glass' competition is appropriately declared on June 20^th, the day deemed the happiest of the year, based on the position of the sun, length of the day, and memories of summer reaching their peak. In honor of this day, Jeff Josenhans, a mixologist from San Diego, California, created a special Russian Standard Vodka HAPPINESS cocktail in celebration. Commemorate this day of elation by experiencing HAPPINESS or PASSION, as you never have before!

PASSION
Created by Alexander Velez. Santa Fe, New Mexico (Winner)

1.5 oz. Russian Standard Vodka
2 oz. Organic Jasmine Tea (warm)
1 oz. 1979 Don PX Pedro Ximenez^® Gran Reserva
1 oz. Grand Marnier^® Cuvee du Centenaire
1.5 tsp. Organic Fig Puree
.25 oz. Lemon Juice
10 drops Rhubarb Bitters

Method: Mix all ingredients (except the Bitters) in a mixing glass with no ice.  Stir and double strain through a mesh strainer to remove the fig seeds. Add bitters and garnish.
Garnish: Organic Figs soaked in Pedro Ximenez skewered on a tea tree scented toothpick.

HAPPINESS
Created by Jeff Josenhans. San Diego, California

3 oz. Russian Standard Vodka
2 oz. Rouge Vermouth
3 oz. Fresh Pressed Cherry Juice
.5 oz. Fresh Pressed Lemon Juice
1 oz. Egg White
Muddled Fresh Anise

Muddle fresh anise in Boston shaker. Add all other ingredients and shake vigorously.
Strain into glass and garnish with fresh cherries.

About Russian Standard Vodka

Russian Standard Vodka is the global leader in authentic Russian premium vodka. The Russian Standard Vodka portfolio dominates the premium segment in Russia with a 50 percent market share and sales of over 2.5 million cases worldwide in 2010.  Roustam Tariko, the founder of Russian Standard, introduced Russian Standard Vodka in 1998 as the first authentic Russian premium vodka.  A mere two years after Russian Standard Vodka launched in Russia, the Brand's sales surpassed all imported premium vodkas, prompting broad international expansion as well as the launches of Russian Standard Platinum in 2001, IMPERIA Vodka in 2004, and Russian Standard Gold in 2008. Now the Russian Standard Vodka portfolio has grown to reach more than 75 markets across Europe, the United States, an Asia. The Russian Standard Vodka portfolio is made with only the finest Russian ingredients and follows the standard for vodka created for the tsars by famed Russian scientist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1894. The extraordinary performance of Russian Standard Vodka is making industry headlines and recently Intangible Business named Russian Standard Vodka as the 8^th most powerful vodka brand in the world and Drinks International announced Russian Standard Vodka as the 4^th fastest growing vodka brand in the world. www.RussianStandardVodka.com

Tales of the Cocktail^® is a registered trademark of Ann Rogers in New Orleans, LA and is used without permission. Grand Marnier^® is a registered trademark of Societe Des Produits Marnier-Lapostolle in Paris, France and is used without permission. Don PX Pedro Ximenez^® is a registered trademark of Bodegas Toro Albala, SL in Aguilar de la Frontera, Spain and is used without permission. FOOD & WINE® is a registered trademark of American Express Marketing & Development Corp in New York, NY.

SOURCE Russian Standard Vodka