Grey Goose brand ambassador Kayla Grigoriou spills on how to look like a pro with a cocktail shaker, without breaking a sweat.
Tell us a little about the Grey Goose Essences range and the inspiration behind it.
Grey Goose Essences was developed to take some of the guesswork out of mixing at home, to help people celebrate moments of joy – whatever the occasion. There’s a growing trend of people looking for lower ABV (alcohol by volume) and more mindful drinking. At 30 per cent ABV, Grey Goose Essences is the perfect drink for any occasion, with no compromise on flavour or experience.
There are some interesting flavours and combinations. How did you go about selecting them?
The range comes in three flavour expressions – Strawberry and Lemongrass; Watermelon and Basil; and White Peach and Rosemary. Aside from being some of the most sought-after fruits and herbs, they are also very common in cocktails. We wanted to create a product that took the guesswork out of mixing drinks, so we thought why not use complementary flavours that appeal to those who want to mix a drink at home?
Can you tell us a little about how it’s made? Is there a different process from other infusions?
Grey Goose Essences are about the expression of the best of the best. We start with three different fresh fruits picked at the peak of their ripeness, and place them into a unique distillation process designed to naturally capture their flavour. Each is then paired with a hand-selected herb, which has been cold-distilled in a vacuum to best capture their fresh-picked aromas as head notes. Each pairing of fruit and herb is then blended into Grey Goose vodka and diluted to a 30 per cent ABV to fully express their delicate flavours with the same designated well water used to make Grey Goose vodka. The final essence is tasted by François Thibault, our maître de chai (cellarmaster) and his team, and bottled in our blending and bottling facility in Gensac-La-Pallue in south-western France.
What do you think sets this range apart from other infused vodkas?
Firstly, we must say that Grey Goose Essences are not actually a vodka. They are a distilled spirit specialty infused with real fruit and botanical essences. This is due to them being lower than the legally required ABV content. However, we use real fresh fruit and aromatic botanicals. With natural ingredients, zero carbs and zero sugar, plus just 73 calories per 45ml, Grey Goose Essences is about capturing a time and place while staying true to the ethos behind Grey Goose Original. The aroma and flavours are ever-present, and without any sugar and with a lower alcohol percentage.
Which one is your favourite?
It absolutely depends on the day. However, White Peach and Rosemary is my favourite the majority of the time! I think it has a beautiful aroma and the flavour is long and consistent, and who doesn’t love a peach?
What’s the best way to enjoy this range?
We love to enjoy them as a spritz – it’s such an easy serve and takes all the guesswork out. Take just 45ml of your favourite Grey Goose Essence and top it off with soda. Plus, when you garnish with fruit, you get a little snack at the end of your drink!
Available in selected bars and coming soon to bottle shops nationwide. For more information, go to greygoose.com
Please remember to drink responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline 1800 250 015 or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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