Recipe: RIGA BLACK BALSAM CHOCO-MINT & TONIC

Riga Black Balsam Chocolate & Mint
Riga Black Balsam Chocolate and Mint

Recipe:

  • 50 ml Riga Black Balsam Chocolate&Mint
  • 150 ml Tonic
  • Orange

Fill a low Old Fashioned glass with ice, add Riga Black Balsam Chocolate & Mint, tonic water and orange peel. Stir.

Moskovskaya Vodka Defies Gravity With New Creative Direction

Moskovskaya Vodka Defies Gravity With New Creative Direction

With a rejuvenated bottle design, several new products and an exciting new marketing campaign celebrating the pioneering spirit, Moskovskaya Vodka unveils the new global campaign.


Moskovskaya is introducing its first bottle redesign since 2012, breathing new life into the brand, communicating a premium, modern drinking experience to consumers whilst retaining the core value – authenticity.

The exciting new creative direction will hero the bottle and the brand’s striking green color. It will open a new chapter in the brand’s story, appealing to a new generation of consumer and breathing life into one of the oldest vodka brands dating back to Russian Empire times, –

said Renatas Alekna, the Global Brand Director of Moskovskaya Vodka

In line with the new bottle design and the innovative marketing campaign, the brand is also launching a groundbreaking limited edition bottle, celebrating the anniversary of the USSR Space Program and a world first. In 1959, exactly 60 years ago, the first spacecraft that escaped Earth’s gravity and reached the vicinity of the Moon was launched. The limited
edition bottle, called OUT OF SPACE, has been designed, like the new creative platform, in collaboration with the Not Perfect Vilnius Agency and will be available globally, launching in the second part of 2019.

In the same time, the legendary brand has released an answer to the global pink gin trend.

“Moskovskaya Pink vodka is our innovative answer to the popular pink gin trend, which has taken Spain’s market by storm as an explosive phenomenon. Moskovskaya Pink is going to disrupt the vodka’s market in Europe thanks to the powerful flavor and innovative perfect color,” said Renatas Alekna.

Latvian Amber Beverage Group became owners of Moskovskaya in 2015 and launched the  Moskovskaya Infusions range in early 2019.  Moskovskaya has given a modern twist to the  eastern European tradition of infusing vodka with herbs and spices, with the launch of four new flavored variants.  The Moskovskaya® Vodka brand is now available in over 65 markets worldwide, with a strong and recognized following in the key markets of the UK, Italy, Lebanon, the Baltics and Spain. The vodka has received numerous awards and accolades from experts in worldwide competitions since it received its first Gold medal in 1954 at the International Trade Fair in  Bern.


by Sabine Rutka,

Review: Kalnapilis Grand Select Premium Lithuanian Beer

Review: Kalnapilis Grand Select Premium Lithuanian Beer

In Lithuania, beer brewing traditions began to actively take shape in the mid to late 19th century in Aukštaitija.

The pride of the people of Aukštaitija were their thriving manor houses, known for their noble history and skilled beer brewers, who were capable of crafting beers. It was these men that lay the foundations of this honorable craft, long-celebrated in Lithuania, allowing it to thrive in the region and putting Aukštaitija on the map as the land of master brewers. Thus, it was no coincidence that in the mid-19th century, the first breweries opened their doors in the manor houses.

The union of local customs and time-honored German beer recipes accelerated the emergence of the first big brewery in the region. On the outskirts of the still-emerging capital of Aukštaitija – Panevėžys – it was founded by a noble of German descent, experienced brewer Albert Foight, who named the brewery Bergschlösschen in his native language, or simply “the little castle on the hill”.

Thus, 1902 saw the birth of Kalnapilis beer, which now has a hundred-year-old history and can deservedly boast of its noble origins and timelessness.

Albert Foight’s newly built brewery was named the Bergschlösschen, or simply the “little castle on the hill” because of its unusual location – atop a tall hill in an empty field on the banks of the Nevėžis.

Why is the Land of Beer Brewers Aukštaitija and not some other region of Lithuania? Aukštaitija has long been known for its deep-rooted beer brewing traditions. The main reason for this being the land itself. The soil is most fertile, which is why agriculture has always thrived here and produced an abundance of grain – enough for both making food and brewing drinks.

The establishment of a brewery at the beginning of the 20th century in Panevėžys was no coincidence. In 1897, the town had a population of 13 thousand, while at the beginning of the 19th century, it could only boast of 800 residents. It was in the late 19th century that the town experienced its own industrial revolution and the first modern manufacturers emerged, using mechanical engines, mills and steam-powered equipment. The beginning of the 20th century saw Panevėžys grow into one of the largest economic and cultural centers of the region and approximately the fourth most significant city in Lithuania.

Lithuania’s market for vodka is the biggest market of the country

Lithuania’s market for vodka is the biggest market of the country

Lithuania’s market for vodka is the biggest market of the country, hence the enormous competition – around 30 new brands end up on the shelves every year.
However, the super-premium segment of this market is relatively small, and it’s dominated by global brands. So a Lithuanian product has to boast an exceptional, unique and extra luxurious appearance in order to stand out and become the leader here.

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