Smirnoff's Barkeep is Bouge-ois
27/11/06 12:44
Smirnoff Cocktail Consultant
Las Vegas, NV
A reader recently remarked in an e-mail “You’ve got to admit, Mr. Imbiber, you’ve got a sweet gig.” Admit it? Hell, up until earlier this week, you couldn’t keep me from crowing about it. Then, I met my match. Kid’s name is Cameron Bouge. He’s 26, good-looking and lives in Sin City (Las Vegas). Last May, Cameron beat out over 1,000 entrants to become the first-ever Smirnoff Cocktail Consultant, a yearlong assignment that entails traveling the world on the brand’s dime to promote the vodka and research adult beverage trends. Oh yeah, and they’re paying him a Hundred Gs to do it.
IMBIBER: Has being a well-paid cocktail consultant helped your game with the ladies?
CAMERON BOUGE: I guess it does. Life’s tough when you hand people a card that says you sample drinks for a living. This is the ONLY position where you can be unemployed in Las Vegas and still get chicks.
What would happen if the folks at Smirnoff caught you nipping at some Grey Goose or Absolut?
Aside from removing my extremities piece by piece? Probably just ask me why I was drinking an inferior product.
In 25 words or less, what makes a great cocktail?
Pick your preferred premium liquor. Use any fresh ingredients you can find. Toss anything premixed into the trash.
You live in Vegas. Do you gamble? And do you have any insider tips on the best bet to win the Super Bowl?
Waking up is a gamble. I suggest betting on the team that scores the most touchdowns, By the way, the Super Bowl is a great time to pick up chicks – their men are all busy.
Cameron Bouge’s Beijing Mule
1.5 oz Sautéed Asian Pear Infused Smirnoff Vodka*
1/2 oz Yuzu Juice
1/2 oz Saffron Simple Syrup**
4 oz Ginger Beer
Slices Asian Pear for garnish
Combine first three ingredients in a tall glass filled with ice. Top with Ginger Beer and garnish with the Asian pear slice.
* Sautéed Asian Pear Infused Smirnoff Vodka: Thinly slice 4 Asian Pears. Melt 2 tbs. butter in sauté pan. Add pear slices coating them evenly. Sauté until golden brown and caramelized. Place pears in sealable container and cover with 750ml Smirnoff Vodka. Let the mixture steep for one week, then strain liquid through cheesecloth into carafe.
** Saffron Simple Syrup: In a sauce pan, bring 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar to a boil. Let boil until clear and remove from heat. Add 1 tsp. saffron and let steep in refrigerator for a minimum of 2 days.
Yuzu Juice: A citrus fruit indigenous to China, a cross between a lemon and lime with hints of tangerine. Be careful not to purchase juice with added salt (intended for cooking).
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