Belvedere’s Zest for Cocktail Life

Most likely, you have already heard that ginger is shaping up to be one of the biggest flavors to watch in 2018. The warm, gently spicy root is on the move, and it seems that Moët Hennessy was already working on a way to get ahead of the trend, as they recently announced the release of the newest innovation from their flagship vodka brand: Belvedere Ginger Zest. The vodka is a blend of tangy ginger and juicy spring lemons with a touch of grapefruit that results in a luxury vodka that offers a new, powerful tool for elevating vodka cocktails.

Ginger Zest has an aromatic and warming nose with a hint of citrus, and notes of sweet spice, ginger and gingerbread. On the palate, it is soft, sweet and warming with a velvety texture and a citrus lift tempered by hints of warming fresh ginger and lemon zest. The liquid is medium bodied, balancing acidity and spice. It finishes with sustained notes of grated ginger, a persistent sweet spice warmth and soft cream and vanilla in the back palate. It only hit shelves in April, but the industry is quickly taking notice of Ginger Zest.

A Fresh Flavor

In its brief time in the market, Belvedere Ginger Zest is already making a splash with tastemakers and consumers. People Magazine reported on Ginger Zest’s high-profile spot at the Coachella music festival, where the brand interacted with guests from around the country and provided Ginger Zest cocktails at a special hospitality area, sponsored by Belvedere and hosted by Rachel Zoe of The Zoe Report. Across the country, in Washington DC, The Washingtonian sponsored a charity cocktail contest featuring Ginger Zest creations from the district’s top bartenders and mixologists. Congratulations go to Sebastian Guirola and his winning drink, Persephone (Goddess of Spring). A donation will be made to The Kennedy Center on his behalf, and his winning recipe is ready and available to add to any spring cocktail menu or home bartender’s repertoire.

Persephone (Goddess of Spring)

4-6 basil leaves
1 oz. lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 oz Belvedere Ginger Zest

Directions: Add all the ingredients to the cocktail shaker. Muddle all the ingredients in the shaker until you can smell the basil outside of the shaker. Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously until the shake is frozen. Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Add a splash of soda. Garnish with a ginger slice and a lemon peel.

Bringing Ginger Home

Matt Pomeroy, Belvedere Vodka’s global director of education, said in a statement that ginger has a long, deep connection to the Polish heritage behind Belvedere, explaining that “in Polish history, there are roots in warming vodka with spices. Blending an exotic spice, like ginger, with the approachable flavors of grapefruit and lemon makes for a refreshing, beautifully balanced drinking experience.”

Diving deeper into why ginger, and why now, Belvedere’s President and CEO, Rodney Williams, said "we recognized a distinctive opportunity to get ahead of the ginger trend with Belvedere Ginger Zest. … Despite the rapidly growing trend in ginger-flavored beverages, there are very few ginger-flavored vodkas in the marketplace so we set out to make one that has exceeded our expectations and our incredibly high standards."

Belvedere also has a multi-part plan for consumer engagement. According to the company, renowned wellness expert and chef, Candice Kumai, is partnering with Belvedere Vodka to create “flavorful and health-conscious recipes” to complement signature Belvedere Ginger Zest cocktails. Belvedere plans for Kumai to execute several media and consumer facing events, as well as appear in a series of digital videos. The company also has added some zest to two classic recipes.

Polish Mule
2 oz Belvedere Ginger Zest
.5 oz lime juice
.25 oz simple syrup
5 oz ginger beer
3-4 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Directions: Whip, shake, dump and top with soda. Garnish with lime wheel.

Ginger Zest Spritz
1 oz Belvedere Ginger Zest  
.75 oz lime juice
.5 oz honey syrup
4 oz soda water 

Directions: Build in spritz glass. Garnish with ginger and lime slices.