Flavored Vodkas Modernize Martini

Orlando, Fla. (December 12, 2006): James Bond never had it so good.
Sure, his phone can decrypt keypad locks and detonate his cuff links. But his signature martini — the Vesper -- is a complicated affair, demanding special ingredients mixed with precision.*

Today's cocktail is a quicker, leaner cousin to the 007 drink. Still strong in proof, it's smoother now and bolder in taste than ever before.

Take Double Espresso Double Caffeine by Van Gogh Vodka, a favorite among this
season's holiday drinks. Launched last November, Double Espresso has catapulted into first place as Van Gogh's bestseller.

"Double Espresso has a rich espresso aroma and taste," says Dave van de Velde, founder and CEO of Luctor International, distillers and importers of Van Gogh. "A true martini in a bottle, it's delicious straight up or mixed with other vodka flavors, like chocolate or coconut."

Packing 10 mg. of caffeine per liter of 70-proof vodka, Double Espresso sets a milestone: the first vodka to receive Food & Drug Administration approval to include caffeine in its formula. The dark, espresso-hued brew appeals to martini connoisseurs who like the kick of caffeine with the popular espresso taste minus the bitterness. The new flavor is the latest twist in the energy drink craze, according to van de Velde.
"Having a Double Espresso is becoming the new thing to do," he explains. "The vodka is perfectly balanced and low in carbs, making it much more appealing than mixing vodka with the sugar-laden energy drinks."

"Double Espresso is big among bartenders," says Tim Bauer, a bartender at The Falcon House, a premier nightspot in Delray Beach, Fla. "After a tiring night behind the bar, it gives me the extra jolt I am looking for."

If Double Espresso is the sales leader, then trailing closely behind is Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, a decaf espresso and the brand's second in sales.

The Espresso flavors are largely responsible for Van Gogh's spectacular growth. Year-to-date sales for all Van Gogh flavors are up 38% over last year. This September and October, sales for all flavors vaulted 70% above the same two-month period last year. November and December ? vodka's traditional peak months ? also promise strong gains.

Double Espresso Double Caffeine boasts the coveted 4-Star ? Highly Recommended rating from Wine Enthusiast. In the brand's recent taste tests, the flavor also ranked top among vodkas already introduced.

Something to Toast
Like Bond's Astin Martin, flavored vodkas, such as Double Espresso, have burst onto the scene. From 2000 ? 2005, 115 new flavors debuted, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

Vodka is not only the largest spirits category, but also the fastest growing one, up almost 20 percent over the last five years, DISCUS reports. In the premium segment, flavored vodka is the fastest growing sub-category.

"Innovation and variety is what drives the cocktail culture," explains van de Velde. "Flavored vodkas are modernizing the martini and changing the way we drink."

Instead of being mixed in complicated cocktails, many of the stylish new flavored vodkas are best served over ice or chilled straight up. Examples include the Espresso-tini, made with Espresso or Double Espresso Vodka and served on crushed ice. Another favorite: the ruby-hued Pomegranate martini, with Van Gogh's newest flavor -- Pomegranate -- on ice or mixed with other vodka flavors, like Orange or Citroen.
Consumers are designing their own cocktails too, combining their favorite flavors for signature drinks. Try mixing Van Gogh Chocolate, Raspberry and a touch of Vanilla Vodkas or any other Van Gogh Vodkas for that matter. You'll get a luxury martini that is perfectly balanced and ready to drink.

With more flavors than any other brand, 16 -- Van Gogh Vodka is the leader in the flavored vodka trend, regularly cited by experts for innovation and quality. The super premium brand boasts five flavors with five-star ratings from spirits industry guru Spirit Journal.

From this rich line-up comes 8,000 complimentary martini recipes available online at www.VanGoghVodka.com. Try these recipes below for an evening's happy ending.

ESPRESSO MARTINIS

Tuxedo
3 oz. Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice, and let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into martini glass.
Astin Martini Chaser
2 oz Van Gogh Espresso or Double Espresso Vodka
1/2 oz Creme de Cacao Liqueur

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice and let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with Hershey`s Chocolate Kiss.

Twilight
1 oz Van Gogh Espresso or Double Espresso Vodka
1 oz Van Gogh Oranje Vodka
1 oz Half And Half Cream
1/2 oz Chambord Liqueur

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker and add crushed ice. Let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with raspberries.

Texas Hold 'Em
1 oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka
1 oz. Van Gogh Espresso or Double Espresso Vodka
1 oz. Van Gogh Coconut Vodka
A splash of light half & half cream

Shake all ingredients with crushed ice then strain into a martini glass.

OTHER FLAVORS

Thriller
3 oz. Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice, and let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into martini glass.

Diamonds
1 ∏ oz. Van Gogh Regular Vodka
1 ∏ oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add ice cubes, let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Pour contents into on-the-rocks glass

Casino Ice
1 oz Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka
1 oz Van Gogh Tripe Sec 80 Liqueur
1 oz Van Gogh Wild Appel Vodka

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice and let stand for five seconds. Shake vigorously for five seconds Strain into double martini glass.

Bahamas Blue
1 π oz. Van Gogh Pineapple Vodka
π oz. White Cranberry Juice
π oz. Lime Juice
π oz. Cointreau

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of shaved coconut.

Martini Royale
1 1/2 oz Van Gogh Wild Appel Vodka
1/2 oz Apple Juice
1/2 oz Orange Juice
1/4 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Triple Sec 30

Shake with ice and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with an apple slice.

About Luctor:
Luctor International owns and imports all Van Gogh Vodkas, Gins, and Liqueurs worldwide from the Dirkzwager Distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands. The Orlando, Florida-based company exports to the United States, Europe, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Canada and Central America. For more information and thousands of complimentary cocktail recipes, visit www.VanGoghVodka.com or call toll-free 888-539-3361.

*Ian Fleming introduced readers to James Bond and the agent's signature cocktail in "Casino Royale," Chapter Seven: "A dry martini," he said. "One. In a deep champagne goblet “Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. Got it?"