ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2007) – A growing trend in the spa and salon industry has businesses complementing treatments with food and beverage options that go beyond the traditional spa fare, such as spring water with lemon slices, exotic herbal teas and fruit smoothies. Now, the menu is growing to include wine and cocktails inspired by the spa and beauty experience. With premium products such as Van Gogh Vodka’s purple hued Acai - Blueberry Vodka or ruby red Pomegranate Vodka, it’s easy to create new options that enhance a client’s spa retreat.
“Van Gogh’s 17 exotic flavors provide countless drink options to enhance your clients’ pampering experience,” says Van Gogh Vodka Corporate Bartender Stacy Nicoll. “Since three of our vodkas, Acai-Blueberry, Double Espresso and Pomegranate, feature vibrant colors and bold flavors, they are perfect served chilled straight or combined with your favorite fresh ingredients.”

Nicoll recommends these refreshing cocktail recipes for spa and salon patrons:

Acai-Blueberry Thyme
1 ½ oz. Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry® Vodka, ½ oz. organic agave nectar, 2 slices of lemon, 12 organic blueberries, 2 sprigs of fresh thyme

Muddle lemon and blueberries in a pint glass. Add agave nectar, then vodka. Top with ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds. In a 10 oz. highball glass, hold thyme sprigs from the top and suspend in the glass while filling with ice. Strain mixture into glass over ice and thyme.

Pineapple Strawberry Refresher
1 oz Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka, ½ oz Van Gogh Coconut Vodka, ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries, 1/8 cup fresh pineapple, splash lemon juice

Mix ingredients with ice in a blender until smooth. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan
2 oz Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka, ½ oz orange liqueur, ½ oz cranberry juice, ½ oz fresh lime juice

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker and add crushed ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds, then strain into martini glass and garnish with an orange slice.

Van Gogh Vodka also provides beauty industry professionals a free custom cocktail recipe service. Simply e-mail cocktails@vangoghvodka.com and Nicoll will create a signature recipe inspired by your business and beauty philosophy.

Van Gogh Vodka produces the most flavors - 19 - of any brand worldwide including the trendsetting Espresso and Double Espresso®, complemented by Acai-Blueberry®, Banana, Dutch Chocolate, Coconut, Pineapple, Pomegranate and Wild Appel Vodkas. For more information and 2,000 complimentary cocktail recipes, visit www.VanGoghVodka.com or call 888-539-3361.