absolut

In terms of flavored vodkas, I've always enjoyed Absolut's more creative offerings. So naturally I was excited when I got my hands on a bottle of Absolut's newest flavor — Absolut Mango. The brand crafted several recipes to feature the spirit and I decided to experiment with this innovative cocktail that combines sage, cucumber, and lime juice.

While I've had a cocktail with basil and another with cilantro, I've never had any that uses sage. It adds a woodsy, earthiness to the drink — which is delectable and refreshing. The ingredients meld perfectly to make a cocktail that is slightly sweet, tart, and delightfully fruity. For the recipe, read more

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Absolut vodka has released a new ad campaign, entitled "Hugs," that's all about spreading love. In the commercial, which debuted last night during the Grammys, money is replaced with acts of affection. For tickets to the movies, the buyer gives the ticket girl two kisses. To pay for a taxi, a young girl lovingly caresses the taxi driver's hand.

At a time when so many large food companies are using aggressive advertising to put down competitors, I find Absolut's ad refreshing, bold, and wonderfully optimistic. After viewing it, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to live in such an idealized world. Watch it below and let me know your thoughts!

I don't know if it's just me, but every news story I read today is another tale of people getting bent out of shape. Have we built a culture of super sensitivity, or are there just so many things to object to nowadays? To the evidence!

• Barack Obama's campaign has just persuaded a delegate to step down after she was ticketed for describing her neighbor's children's behavior using the word, "monkeys." The kids were playing in the tree next door to her house. According to police, the woman "came outside and told the children to quit playing in the tree like monkeys." The woman says she didn't want the children to get hurt, and she even calls her own grandchildren "monkeys." Why the ticket and her banishment as a delegate? The children were African American. Obama's campaign called her use of the word monkey "divisive and unacceptable."

There's more offensive evidence if you'll just read more

Yesterday, at Tales of the Cocktail - an annual New Orleans culinary and cocktail festival - Absolut Vodka announced a new limited-edition flavor appropriately called "New Orleans." Inspired by the Big Easy, Absolut New Orleans combines juicy mango and spicy black pepper. This is the first in a series of limited-edition flavored vodkas named after cities, and this time around Absolut is planning on donating 100% of the profits to charities in the Gulf Coast including Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Gulf Coast, Volunteer Mobile along with a few others. Each foundation will receive a monetary donation in order the help rebuild the area.

The vodka will be available in the usual places (bars, restaurants, stores, etc.) starting August 1st. If you try it let us know what you think of it, the flavor combos sound intriguing, as do the drinks you can make with it. Check out Absolut's website for more details, including a way to vote for upcoming city-flavors. There are 10 cities to choose from, you tell them what it would taste like and why it deserves to be next.

Source: PR Newswire