Level Vodka Unveils Holiday Recipes for Home Entertaining; Candy Cane And Gelt Martinis Shake And Stir The Holidays

Business Wire, Oct 1, 2004

NEW YORK -- From the classic shaken and stirred, to neat perfectly chilled or cleverly sprigged, cocktail recipes will be in hot demand this holiday season. To help the many home entertainers this year, Level Vodka, the new super-premium vodka from the makers of ABSOLUT, and its team of mixologists, have created an assortment of themed cocktail recipes perfect for every holiday occasion.

"These innovative Level cocktails will infuse any holiday event with style and flavor," said Dushan Zaric, co-founder of Cocktail Conceptions, creators of Level's inaugural holiday cocktails. "The recipes complement the smooth character and refined taste embodied in Level super-premium vodka and are easy for any host to create. There is something for every palate!"

Here are a few of the top recipes that will get every party started:

--Level Fireside - Designed to suggest the seductive warmth of a fire, this cocktail is as delicious as it is inviting. Combine 1 oz Level Vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, 3/4 fresh pomegranate juice, and 1 1/2 oz brut champagne in a mixing glass, stir briefly, and pour into chilled 6 oz champagne flute. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.

--Level Candy Cane - Skip the cane, drink the candy! Prepare a martini glass by making stripes with red icing. Pour 1 1/2 oz Level Vodka, 1 1/2 oz white chocolate liqueur and 3/4 oz peppermint schnapps into a mixing glass. Add ice, shake and strain into decorated martini glass.

--Level Gelt Martini - Make your Hanukah dinner glow. Pour 1 oz Level Vodka, 1 oz creme de cacao and 1/2 triple sec into a mixing glass. Add ice, shake and strain into chilled martini glass. Twist an orange peel over the drink and discard. Garnish with gelt.

--Level Zen Tea-ni - Energize your holiday spirit with a green tea creation! Prepare green tea and let cool. Combine 1 1/2 oz Level Vodka, 2 oz green tea and 1/2 oz simple syrup in a tall glass filled with ice and serve. Add splash of rose water, if desired. Garnish with lemon wheels and fresh mint leaves.

--Level's Holiday Helper - Celebrate with pure decadence in a glass! Combine 1 1/2 oz Level Vodka, 2 oz dark chocolate liqueur, 1 oz of milk, 1 tsp sugar, 5 tsp, sweetened cocoa powder and ice into a blender. Add ice and blend. Serve in highball glasses and top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.

--Platinum Level Martini - Ring in the New Year with Level's signature inaugural martini. Pour 3 oz frozen Level Vodka, 3/4 oz dry vermouth, dash of edible Japanese pearl dust, and ice into mixing glass. Shake well for 7-8 seconds and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with one spiral lemon twist.

"We are pleased to kick off Level Vodka's first holiday season with this unique offering of cocktails that truly highlight the character of the brand," said Matthias Aeppli, Vice President of Marketing, The Absolut Spirits Company, Inc. "The holidays are a time to celebrate with friends and family and these signature cocktails will make your celebrations even better with Level's great taste."

Level brings distinctive quality, image and style to the world of luxury vodkas. Through a unique combination of two distillation methods, Level achieves a perfect balance of unsurpassed smoothness and character.

Now available nationwide, Level is priced in between $28-$30 and comes in four sizes: 50 ml, 750 ml, 1 liter and 1.75 liter.

ABOUT THE ABSOLUT SPIRITS COMPANY

THE ABSOLUT SPIRITS COMPANY, INC. IS A SUBSIDIARY OF V&S ABSOLUT SPIRITS, A BUSINESS AREA WITHIN V&S GROUP. V&S ABSOLUT SPIRITS PRODUCES AND MARKETS THE FOLLOWING BRANDS: ABSOLUT, DANZKA VODKA, FRIS VODKA, LEVEL AND PLYMOUTH GIN. ABSOLUT IS THE THIRD LARGEST INTERNATIONAL SPIRIT IN THE WORLD AND IS AVAILABLE IN 126 MARKETS. THE HEAD OFFICE IS IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. THE ABSOLUT SPIRITS COMPANY, INC. IMPORTS ABSOLUT, DANZKA VODKA, LEVEL AND PLYMOUTH GIN IN THE US AND DISTRIBUTES THE BRANDS THROUGH FUTUREBRANDS, A JOINT VENTURE WITH JIM BEAM BRANDS.

**Photography (color/b&w available upon request)