Sustainable cocktails are not just a trend but the wave of the future. It’s heartening to learn how spirits brands like Belvedere Vodka have been embracing this environmentally conscious movement, as Moët Hennessy India Brand Ambassador Shehan Minocher gives us the details, and shares some delicious cocktail recipes to celebrate the green life!

Parts of the world are picking themselves up from a difficult year caused by the global pandemic. As consumers begin to consume more consciously, a trend that began in the late 2010s, they become better aware of the environmental impact of over-consumption. This also stands true of cocktails and how we like to enjoy them. Celebrate World Environment Day every day with Belvedere’s delicious, easy to make cocktails at home, specially curated by Shehan Minocher, Brand Ambassador, Moët Hennessy India.

Shehan Minocher - Brand Ambassador Moet Hennessy

“The conscious consumption of alcoholic beverages and cocktails is gaining popularity across the globe,” says Shehan Minocher. “Sustainability is now integral in driving mixology into the future. A concept we are yet to see a lot of in India, mixologists are increasingly looking to showcase indigenous flavours and ingredients whilst conscientiously celebrating the natural environment, using drinks as a vehicle for expression.” He says that it’s a long and complex journey, and not a simple one-step process – reducing food waste, maximizing raw material potential and trying to create a ‘zero waste’ bar – with education and awareness as key drivers. “However the onus isn’t just on the bars but also on the brands,” he says. “As global brands, we have the ability to shape opinions and share insights with our trade partners and consumers. Promoting sustainability and supporting bars that make this change is imperative.”

The first step in being more environmentally conscious and aware while consuming alcohol is to move over to brands that are making an attempt to drive sustainability internally and externally. “In 2018, Belvedere was the first spirits distillery to receive a grant from the European Commission to pilot an ambitious green energy initiative that will install a biomass capture facility on site by Q1 2021,” says Shehan. “Belvedere has made significant progress in its endeavour of being certified as organic. In 2019, Belvedere became the recipient of a certification for it to produce organic products. All our new products and innovations henceforth, will therefore, work toward ensuring the same.”

Shehan adds that the Belvedere distillery too, has begun rigorously working on the transition to organic farming, with the goal of ceasing the use of pesticides within the next 10 years. When it comes to sustainable packaging, Belvedere has also been begun reducing plastic from its shippers and eliminating plastic straws from its events. It is actively auditing supply chain vendors to abide by a 100 percent green code of conduct, with the goal of reducing plastic by 50 percent by 2025.

Belvedere Air

BELVEDERE AIR

Glassware: Highball glass

Ingredients:

45 ml – Belvedere Vodka
20 ml – Fresh Lemon Juice
15 ml – Honey Water (2:1 Honey to Water)
60 ml – Almond Milk

Garnish: Sprig of Mint

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a shaker and shake hard with ice. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a mint sprig.

Belvedere Super Cocktail -Carrot

BELVEDERE SUPER COCKTAIL – CARROT

Glassware: Highball glass

Ingredients:

45 ml – Belvedere Vodka
150 ml – Fresh Carrot Juice
20 ml – Fresh Lemon Juice
5 bar spoon Miso or Dashi Powder
5 bar spoon Ginger or Ginger Syrup
1 dash Chilli Flakes
7 ml – Honey Syrup

Garnish: Carrot Stem / Chilli Flakes

Directions:

Shake all ingredients with two ice cubes. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice and garnish with carrot stem/chilli flakes.

Belvedere Mango Passion

BELVEDERE MANGO PASSION

Glassware: Rocks glass

Ingredients:
40 ml – Belvedere Vodka
15 ml – Honey
20 ml – Fresh Lemon Juice
60 ml – Fresh Mango Juice
90 ml – Soda Water

Garnish: Mango Ball and Mint Sprig

Directions:

Shake all ingredients and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a melon ball and mint sprig.