MEDJET AND WORTH MEDIA RELEASE RESULTS OF LUXURY TRAVEL SAFETY STUDY
Poll Reveals “Massive Misconceptions Among Business and Leisure Travelers of All Ages as to: If, When and How They’re Protected.”
A new study from Medjet, the industry leader in air medical transport and travel security memberships for travelers, and WORTH Media, a leading financial, wealth management and lifestyle media company, finds that a major segment of today’s luxury travel market – both business and leisure – continues to be ill-informed about travel insurance, medical evacuation and personal protection.
The most recent Medjet/WORTH Media poll, which builds on a study originally conducted pre-COVID-19 in fall 2019, was completed in early 2021 to more accurately gauge travelers’ sentiments after such a tumultuous year for the global travel industry. Both times, the results illustrated a significant lack of awareness in regard to travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new poll results show that very few travelers plan on sitting this year out; when asked when they would feel ready to travel again, travelers’ responses were as follows:
17.5% are already traveling
15.83% plan on traveling within the next three months
54.17% plan on traveling between 4-12 months from now
12.5% plan on traveling 1+ year from now/are not sure
“The results of both polls are very much in line with what we’ve found in our own anecdotal research and decades of experience as leaders in the field of air medical transport and crisis response,” says Mike Hallman, President & CEO of Medjet, “that there are massive misconceptions among business and leisure travelers of all ages as to: If, when and how they are protected.”
In 2020, 85% of respondents felt they knew about the “same or less” about medevac coverage due to the pandemic. 64% of travelers felt they should know more.
The fall 2019 poll results, even without the threat of COVID-19, showed overwhelmingly that illness was a top traveler concern, and if hospitalized overseas, people would prefer to get home to their own hospital for treatment and recovery. Therefore, continuing to educate people as to the where travel insurance’s medevac coverage leaves off, and transport memberships like Medjet pick up, remain important.
Both studies targeted professionals across the country whose household’s net worth was valued at $1,000,000 and above. The original Medjet/WORTH poll assessed travelers’ understanding of their health, travel or business insurance coverages, and credit card travel program benefits, finding that nearly two-thirds of respondents who reported being “concerned about their health while traveling” were unaware of the inclusions (and perhaps more importantly exclusions) in their plans or benefits packages. Some of the study’s major findings include:
Only 35% of travelers who reported being concerned about their health and well-being while traveling were aware that their health, travel or business insurance, or credit card travel benefits, could ONLY get them to the “nearest acceptable facility.” 65% mistakenly believed their coverage would automatically get them all the way to a hospital at home, or were not sure.
While illness and injury were top concerns for travelers, only 34% of business travelers concerned about their health had ever looked into the conditions of their company’s travel and medical evacuation policies.
Of those with corporate coverage, one in three respondents (33%) expected that, one way or another, their company would get them home if they became ill or were hospitalized while traveling. “For many companies, that means footing a $30,000 – $180,000 out-of-pocket bill, or potentially falling short on employee ‘duty of care’ expectations,” noted Hallman, “which can present a significant financial and legal risk to an organization.”
Of those who reported being self-employed and traveling for business frequently, 77% reported never purchasing travel insurance.
Younger respondents proved even less knowledgeable about what their health and travel insurance, or credit card travel benefits would do for them if they needed a medical evacuation; 86% believed it would transport them back to their hospital at home or were unsure.
“The greatest misconception among high-net-worth travelers is that, in the unforeseen event they were to end up hospitalized while out of town – be it in Peoria or Paraguay – they believe their basic travel coverage through a company plan, travel insurance or credit card would get them home,” said Hallman. “More often than not, that is not the case, which is why we see so many stories in the news about travelers stuck abroad, and why so many individuals, families, corporations and organizations (like the NFL) enroll in our membership program.”
“On the bright side,” said Hallman, “we found that 86% of business travelers were interested in purchasing additional medical evacuation coverage that got them all the way home, and 68% of business travelers were interested in purchasing travel security coverage in addition to the coverage offered by their company. So, it looks like there’s plenty of continued growth to look forward to here at Medjet!”
For more information about Medjet, please visit the Medjet website.
Shahs of Sunset’s new season will not disappoint! With the dust finally settling after last year’s devastating fallout, Rezafinds himself feeling ready to dip his toe in the water of reconciliation with his best friend of over 30 years, MJ. And while his relationship with husband Adam is stronger than ever, his friendship with his “brother” Mike is called into question when rumors about Mike’s bad-boy behavior start to swirl. In addition, after a challenging year for MJ, she finds herself in yet another difficult situation trying to make amends with Reza who still has a restraining order against her husband, Tommy. Despite this, the two vow to begin the journey towards forgiveness in hopes of healing their friendship and bringing everyone back together again.
Mike and his girlfriend Paulina’s “perfect” relationship is put to the test when cracks in their union are revealed to the group. Landing himself in the hot seat, Mike ignites another scandal that both tests his own bond with Reza and threatens to break up Reza and GG’s newly reformed friendship. After a long and difficult journey to motherhood, GG is thrilled to introduce her beautiful son Elijah to the world. She proves to be an unexpected unifier and voice of reason among her friends, helping them communicate their hurt feelings and hopefully let go of past grievances. The true test comes when she must apply this new perspective to her own friendship with MJ.
After Nema’s business ventures were hit hard by the pandemic, he faces a crossroad when he is forced to make some difficult decisions. While his relationships with MJ and Mike remain stronger than ever, Nema navigates an uphill battle to repair his friendships with Reza, Destiney and GG in the hopes of bringing his “family” back together. MJ’s new Persian friend London is a welcome breath of fresh air. As a life coach, London has the unique ability to help her newfound friends through difficult situations. When her strategies begin to wear thin, however, London is put to the ultimate test on a group trip where she needs to do more than dole out pep talks if she wants to keep up with the rambunctious crew.
Destiney moves out of her high-rise apartment and into an adorable house across the street from a very familiar face. Still reeling from the chaos of last year, she works to find peace with MJ as she strengthens her bonds with Reza and GG. When Paulina confides in Destiney about relationship issues with Mike, she finds herself entangled in yet another conflict.
“Shahs of Sunset” is produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions with Ryan Seacrest serving as executive producer & Truly Original with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Julie “Bob” Lombardi, Apryl Richards, Chaz Morgan serving as executive producers, and Joe Van Ek, Patrick McCabe and Pyongson “Sunny” Yim as co-executive producers.
As the weather gets warmer and more businesses begin to open up, it looks like summer will be closer to normal than much of the world has recently seen. 360 Magazine has collected a list of our favorite drinks for this summer to sip by the pool, or for celebrating with friends. Stay refreshed with our Summer sip list.
EFFEN® x Allies inArts
Since 2018, EFFEN Vodka has created limited-edition Pride bottles to celebrate self-expression, support diversity and champion the LGBTQQIA2S community, including supporting organizations like Outfest. This year, EFFEN Vodka is partnering with Allies in Arts to bolster their mission of empowering creative voices and providing fair-paid work for artists who identify as womxn, BIPOC and LGBTQQIA2S – all of whom are underrepresented individuals in creative industries.
EFFEN Vodka commissioned Chicago-based, LGBTQQIA2S artist and street muralist Sam Kirk to design this year’s bottle, which celebrates the Black and LGBTQQIA2S communities and highlights that each day is an opportunity to live loud, vibrant and proud. Not only is the vodka perfect for cocktails, the bottle is a beautiful addition to any summer table.
INDOGGO®Gin The Low Rider
Raise your glass to the king of gin and juice, and mix up Snoop’s personal favorite take on the classic Gin & Tonic- The Low Rider. This refreshing and citrusy cocktail is great to unwind with and sip all spring and summer long! Sure to please the palette of any gin aficionado, “The Low Rider” is crafted with 1.5 oz Indoggo Gin, 3oz tonic water and garnished with an orange slice. This mouthwatering mixed drink is all you need to make your Gin and Tonic Day complete!
1.5 oz INDOGGO® Gin
3 oz tonic water
Orange slice garnish
Add INDOGGO® and tonic water into a highball glass, filled with ice. Garnish with orange slice.
Pinnacle Vodka’s Apricot Honeysuckle Spritz
Pinnacle® Vodka, the award-winning vodka brand, today introduced Pinnacle® Light & Ripe™. The brand’s newest line of innovation offers great quality vodka in fruit-forward flavors with fewer calories and zero sugar for a refreshing “Light & Ripe” finish. Crafted with natural ingredients, Pinnacle Light & Ripe is being launched with two fresh flavor choices, Apricot Honeysuckle and Guava Lime. Pinnacle’s new cocktail recipe, which utilized their new Apricot Honey flavor of Pinnacle Light & Ripe, is below:
Ingredients:
1 part Pinnacle® Light & Ripe™ Apricot Honeysuckle Vodka
1 part Lilet Blanc®
Equal parts soda water and tonic water
Fresh apricot
Sprig of thyme
Directions: Build in glass over ice. Stir gently and garnish with fresh apricot and honeysuckle.
Hornitos Tequila Seltzer
Hornitos Tequila Seltzer is set to hits shelves in the U.S. beginning this week! The products combine real Plata tequila with refreshing seltzer, resulting in the perfect choice for those seeking a refreshing, ready-made cocktail for their high-energy moments this season. Hornitos Tequila Seltzer is available in two natural flavors – Lime and Mango – without any artificial sweeteners.
Santo Spirits
Santo Spirits just launched their Reposado and has the most refreshing cocktails to serve at your backyard BBQ or enjoy during an at-home happy hour. Santo is the brainchild of rocker Sammy Hagar, and chef Guy Fieri. Together, the duo created a portfolio of 100% Blue Weber Agave expressions including Santo blanco, the world’s only Mezquila and a reposado that is rested in lightly charred, used American oak bourbon barrels. For those tired of the usual and yearning for something different, Santo offers a higher taste, a higher quality, a higher experience – a higher spirit.
Below are some of Santo Spirit’s summer sip suggestions:
Cucumber Cooler
Impress your friends with the ultimate summer sipper, the Cucumber Cooler made with Santo’s newly launched Reposado. The ultra-pure agave flavor and refreshing balance of homemade cucumber simple syrup and mint are the perfect combination to keep you cool on those hot summer days ahead.
2 oz Santo Reposado
½ oz Cucumber simple syrup*
½ oz Elderflower liqueur
¾ oz Fresh lemon juice
1 Fresh Mint sprig
Ice
Garnish: Fresh mint sprig, cucumber slices
1. In a cocktail shaker with ice add tequila, syrup, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and mint sprig
2. Shake for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
4. Garnish.
Cucumber Simple Syrup:
1. In a saucepan on medium heat add 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and 1 cucumber sliced.
2. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar has dissolved.
3. Bring to a simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Take off heat and allow it to steep for 15-20 minutes.
Hibiscus Smash
Relax and unwind with a cocktail that will take your tastebuds on a trip you will never want to return from. The freshness of cilantro and hibiscus leaves are a great compliment to the full and distinctive flavors of Santo Reposado. Don’t forget to double strain this cocktail for a smooth and refreshing drink you will want to enjoy all year round.
2. In a cocktail shaker with ice add tequila, hibiscus tea, agave, lime juice and fresh cilantro.
3. Shake for 30 seconds.
4. Double strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish.
Strawberry Basil Gimlet
2 oz INDOGGO®
.75 oz Lime Juice
.75 oz Honey Syrup (2pt Honey:1 pt Water)
Basil
Combine all ingredients, shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with soda water and garnish with mint and strawberry.
The Laid Back
2 oz INDOGGO®
2 oz Pineapple Juice
Top with club soda
Garnish: Strawberry/Lime Slices
Add INDOGGO Gin and pineapple juice into glass, filled with ice. Stir, then top with club soda and garnish with strawberry/lime slice.
D’USSE Champagne Sparkler
Champagne Sparkler features D’USSE VSOP and Angostura Bitters topped off with chilled Top Martini & Rossi Asti. The cocktail is perfect to feel like the stars of Hollywood and toast to a fun evening.
Glassware: Flute
Ingredients:
· 1 part D’USSE VSOP Cognac
· 1 sugar cube
· 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
· Top Martini & Rossi Asti
· Garnish: Orange Twist
Add D’USSE, sugar cube and bitters into a champagne flute. Top with chilled Martini & Rossi Asti.
D’USSE’s Lady Velvet
Balanced and sophisticated, the D’USSE Lady’s Velvet is an expression of luxury
Glassware: Nick & Nora
Ingredients:
1 part D’USSE VSOP Cognac
¾ part BACARDI Ocho Rum
¾ part MARTINI & ROSSI Rosso Vermouth
½ part ST-GERMAIN Elderflower Liqueur
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Orange Peel
Method: Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir cocktail with a bar spoon until chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
1800 x Jarritos Cocktails
1800 has partnered with iconic Mexican soda brand Jarritos to create three delicious, easy-to-make cocktails, all made with premium 1800 Silver and Jarritos’ classic flavors. As two Mexican heritage brands with deep cultural roots, 1800 Tequila and Jarritos have joined together as the authorities on Cinco de Mayo cocktails and celebration, and their collaborative cocktails are sure to quench the thirst for an authentic way to enjoy Cinco de Mayo this year.
1800 Piña Paloma
2 oz. 1800 Silver
4 oz. Jarritos Pineapple
½ oz. fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz. fresh lime juice
Directions: Build over ice in a highball glass and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel and pineapple leaves
1800 Twisted Paloma
These 1800 Tequila x Jarritos cocktails are bound to quench your thirst for an authentic and vibrant way to celebrate National Tequila Day this year. Choose your tequila personality by ordering 1800 Silver, 1800 Coconut, 1800 Reposado and the Jarritos Mood Pack on Instacart.
Ingredients
2 oz. 1800 Coconut
4 oz. Jarritos Grapefruit
½ oz. fresh lime juice
2 coins fresh ginger
Directions: Muddle ginger in a shaker tin, then add tequila and lime juice and shake over ice. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass and top with Jarritos. Garnish with pink grapefruit and candied ginger.
· Combine Buffalo Trace, Lime Sour and Simple Syrup
· Top with Ginger Beer
· Shake & pour into a Mule Mug
· Garnish with a lime wedge
Baby Yoda/The Child
Inspired by the cocktail originally created by Michael Young of The Vault, Elysian Brewing has put its own spin on the Baby Yoda cocktail, which fittingly incorporates the brand’s most popular beer–Space Dust IPA–to take you to a galaxy far, far away
Ingredients:
1.5oz Vodka
.5oz Apple Pucker
.5 Lemon Juice
.75 Simple Syrup
Method:
Shake with ice and strain into coupe glass
Top off with Space Dust IPA
Attach lime wedges for the ears and blueberries for the eyes to a cocktail stick
Wrap glass step with napkin to create a robe-like appearance to complete the look
Serve!
1800 Cristalino Monochrome Margarita
1 ½ oz. 1800 Cristalino
½ oz. orange liqueur
½ oz. light agave syrup
1 oz. sour liqueur mixer
1 sleeve habanero bitters
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a lime wheel and Thai chili.
1800 Silver Perfume Serrano
2 oz. 1800 Silver
1 oz. watermelon juice
¾ oz. elderflower liqueur
¾ oz. lime juice
½ oz. serrano pepper-infused orange liqueur
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a highball glass with a Tajín rim, and garnish with a watermelon slice.
1800 Coconut Coco Colada
2 oz. 1800 Coconut
1 ½ oz. coconut cream
1 ½ oz. pineapple juice
½ oz. lime juice
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice and blend. Serve in a highball glass and garnish with a pineapple spear.
sipMARGS Sparkling Margaritas
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, sipMARGS is launching with new and exciting ready-to-drink sparkling margaritas! sipMARGS is a real, authentic margarita made with top-quality tequila, perfect for those who want fun without compromise. While it’s low calorie, low sugar, and low carbs; it’s also a bold, great-tasting margarita – making it the perfect go-to canned beverage for any occasion.
The margaritas are available in New York and New Jersey now and Florida on June 1st. They come in four creative flavors, all with 5% ABV: Classic Sparkling Margarita, Sparkling Mango Margarita, Sparkling Coconut Margarita, and Sparkling Mezcal Margarita. All four flavors are offered in 4-packs (SRP $11.99), Variety 8-packs (SRP $19.99) and the Classic Sparkling Margarita is available in a bag-in-a-box style (SRP $29.99).
Classic: With bright, vibrant citrus flavor, sipMARGS Classic sparkling margarita is equally tart and sweet with a taste reminiscent of your favorite margarita cocktail.
Coconut: Cool and light with unmistakable coconut essence, sipMARGS Coconut margarita is mildly sweet and refreshing with big tropical flavor.
Mango: The sweet, fruity taste of luscious mangoes are front and center with sipMARGS Mango margarita. Bold, juicy and effervescent.
Mezcal: sipMARGS Mezcal margarita brings the taste of Mexico’s traditional agave spirit to a uniquely refreshing cocktail. A hint of smokiness, herbal notes and a touch of sweetness create a distinctively delicious flavor.
VOCO: Elegance Brands, Inc., a global beverage company with a focus on innovation, announced this week the relaunch of its premiere beverage product VOCO, a “better-for-you” RTD cocktail that combines real vodka blended with coconut water, soda water and natural fruit flavor.
As a more mindful spirit offering, VOCO is also gluten-free, low ABV, and low in sugar. With only 5% ABV per can, it allows consumers to enjoy more in one sitting! This single serving canned cocktail comes in four delicious fruit flavors: Mango, Lime, Pineapple, and Passionfruit.
To launch, VOCO will be available at select retail locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, Tennessee, Ohio, and Alabama. Elegance Brands, Inc. will continue to roll out VOCO to additional U.S. states this year. SRP for a 4-pack of VOCO is $9.99. For more information, please visit Drink Voco.
1 ½ oz. Tequila (It should be a 100% agave tequila. Blanco or Reposado is preferred)
½ oz. Cointreau Liqueur
½ oz. Grand Marnier Liqueur
1 oz. Agave Syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
For Garnish:
Lime
Salt Rim (optional)
Instructions:
Add Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, Grand Marnier Liqueur, Agave Syrup, and Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice to a cocktail shaker without ice.
Add ice to cocktail shaker and shake hard for 10-15 seconds.
Strain contents of the cocktail shaker into appropriately sized glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a Lime Wedge. Squeeze lime over drink and drop on top.
Agave Syrup
Ingredients:
Agave Nectar
Water
Instructions:
Mix equal parts Agave Nectar and Boiling Water. Stir until thoroughly incorporated
Chill in refrigerator (for at least 1 hour) until ready to use.
AriZona Beverages is making its first foray into the coffee space with Sun Brew – a new line of 100% arabica coffee made with hand-selected beans from Central & South America!
Perfect for the morning wake-up or mid-afternoon pick me up, Sun Brew delivers bold flavor in three distinct roasts: Snake Bite Blend (medium roast with beans from Columbia), Cactus Blend (medium-dark roast with beans from Guatemala and Honduras), and Sedona Blend (dark roast with beans from Columbia, Brazil, and Peru). Available as ground coffee and pod packs, Sun Brew arrives just in time to deliver small-batch roasted coffee at home without café pricing!
Rosjito
Cavit Rosé is blended with ice, white rum, and fresh mint for a fun and cool play on the classic mojito.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 cocktail
4 large mint leaves
1.5 oz white rum
5 oz Cavit Rosé
1 cup ice cubes
Combine mint, rum, Cavit Rosé, and ice in a blender. Purée until very smooth. Pour into a tall chilled glass. Serve immediately.
Garnish options: Mint sprig, lime wedge, sugar-rimmed glass.
Tip: Include more elements of a classic mojito by adding fresh lime juice and simple syrup to the blender with the other ingredients.
#MilagroMondays
Milagro Tequila has launched #MilagroMondays, a summer-long campaign that offers consumers a much-needed break from their weekly routine. To build genuine excitement for the week ahead, the brand is offering the select few an opportunity to wake up somewhere entirely new at the start of their week. Through June 8, fans of Milagro Tequila can enter to win a luxury 5-day, work-from-anywhere experience in Tulum, Mexico by posting a photo or video to their personal Instagram account of what makes you dread Mondays the most. To qualify, fans must tag MilagroTequila in their post and #MilagroMondays #entry.
Two winners and their guests will fly first-class, stay in a private villa outfitted with the ideal “work from anywhere” set-up (including that real-life beach Zoom background), and be treated to a private chef, chartered yacht, and much more. Those interested can click here for the official rules and regulations of #MilagroMondays.
1800 Spiced Blood OrangePaloma
1800 Tequila is perfect for World Paloma Day on Saturday, May 22nd! 1800’s paloma recipe is created with a spin on the Mexican national cocktail. It is the ideal way to celebrate the holiday, no matter your personal taste in tequila.
Directions: Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a coarse spiced salt-rimmed highball glass over fresh ice, and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with thinly-sliced blood orange, grapefruit, or lime.
Stranahan’s The Peak Manhattan
2oz Blue Peak
1oz Sicilian Amaro
2 dashes black walnut bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Directions: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass, add ice and stir to 20% dilution. Strain over big cube with cherry garnish
Earl Stevens‘ The Spritz
The Spritz is a twist on the popular classic, and starts with an Italian bitter liqueur that has orange citrus notes then Earl Stevens Selection Prosecco straight from Italy, topped off with club soda. It’s a cocktail for day or night, and any reason you feel like enjoying a refreshing libation.
Ingredients:
· 3 ounces Earl Stevens Selection Prosecco DOC
· 2 ounces Italian bitter liqueur
· 1 ounce soda water
· Garnish: orange wheel
Method: Add all ingredients into a wine glass with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange wheel.
Spa Girl Cocktails
Hot Girl Summer meets the hottest cocktail of the summer – Spa Girl Cocktails, a premium ready-to-drink vodka beverage. This spirit is all about California sunshine, celebrating with your girlfriends, and cheers-ing with a damn good, guilt-free cocktail. Known for their award-winning fresh and fruity flavors and clean ingredients, you can enjoy the notes of cucumber, pineapple, strawberry, peach, and pear without any of the guilt. This buzz-worthy booze is under 100 calories and packs a punch with its high alcohol content ranging from 11.5% – 16.5%. Available in 4-pack cans and 750 mL bottles, their high-proof, low cal cocktails mean drinking less, to enjoy more.
Whether your summer plans include heading to Palm Springs for a dreamy getaway, hosting any and all bridal shower festivities for your bestie, or packing for a picnic at the beach with your pals, the party starts with Spa Girl Cocktails. Find a retailer near you here.
D’USSÉ & Blueberry Lemonade
This cocktail combines D’USSÉ and lemonade with the sweet, tangy flavor of fresh blueberries. As the world starts to open back up and more and more people are gathering with family and friends (both indoors and outdoors!), wanted to share a few cocktails from D’USSE Cognacto help celebrate the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The lemonade-based cocktails (fittingly, in a “red, white and blue” theme) bring a playfully patriotic flair to the holiday and are sure to be a hit for any parties.
Ogden’s Own, the largest independent distillery in Utah, is welcoming Pride Month 2021 with the release of a brand-new, special edition bottle of its Five Husbands Vodka – featuring five of Utah’s most influential and cherished members of the LGBTQ+ community on the label!
As part of Ogden’s Own’s commitment to celebrating Pride all year long, not just for one month, the new 2021 Five Husbands bottle will be available year-round. The “Five Husbands” featured on the label represent a broad range of professions and areas of expertise, but the common thread binding each Husband is that they are all Utah locals that are passionate about representing the LGBTQ+ community and spreading the message of inclusiveness on as large of a stage as possible. The 2021 Five Husbands are: Johnny Hebda, Troy Williams, Rob Moolman, Georgios Spiliopoulos, and CJ Hamblen.
The 2021 Five Husbands Vodka Pride bottle is officially available now at the Ogden’s Own Distillery store, with regional and online distribution slated to kick off before June. The bottle retails for $19.99 for a 750ml bottle and is 40% ABV (80 proof). Sales proceeds will go directly to Equality Utah and the Utah Pride Center, two charitable organizations that support the Utah LGBTQ+ community.
The Bodega
On Saturday, June 12th btw 4PM-8PM, 360 Magazine will host our intimate immersive pop-up shop which will be reminiscent of a traditional Bronx Bodega. This po-up shop is a collaborative effort to elevate our brand’s priorities in popular culture and design (PC+D).
This boutique and private shopping experience will be held at the #360TRAP Bronx workspace. The event will feature #AOHSOA Trunk Pieces and lifestyle choices, specifically designed for consumers to live their best PC+D lifestyle.
The pop-up will possess a carnival theme and will feature creative activities and decors compatible with this fun concept. The event’s open bar will run for four hours and feature signature spirits of mixologists, as well as festive tapas. This event will be a privileged opportunity to reinforce brand awareness and network among target audiences and sponsors.This summer event will also be the precursor for World Blood Donor Day (6/14) and Armon Hayes birthday (6/16).
D’USSÉ Paradise Gem
The creation of the visionary Maitre de Chai Michel Casavecchia – the senior-most cellar master working today – D’USSE is masterfully crafted at the prestigious Château de Cognac, a home with a 200-year legacy of producing some of the world’s finest Cognacs. A partnership between Shawn “JAY-Z” Carterand Bacardi Unlimited, D’USSE is the cognac of choice for several of world’s pre-eminent entertainers, including Megan Thee Stallion, Kevin Hart and Meek Mill, among many others.
D’USSE offers both a VSOP and an XO. Easy to sip, the D’USSÉ® Paradise Gem uses D’USSÉ’s VSOP Cognac and is bright and floral — simply a gem.
Ingredients
1 Part D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac 1 Part Marigold Syrup* ¾ Part Sauvignon Blanc 1 Coffee Bean
Glass & Garnish
Frosted Coupe & White Rose Petal
Method
Muddle coffee bean in a mixing glass. Add D’USSÉ, marigold syrup and Sauvignon Blanc and fill with ice. Stir and double-strain into a frosted coupe glass. *Marigold Syrup: Heat 34 oz of water in a saucepan until it reaches a boil. Add 34 oz of white sugar, 1 oz of citric acid and ¼ lb of dehydrated marigold flowers. Let stand for 24 hours. Double-strain into a bottle for storage.
Elysian Brewing 25th Anniversary Box
In celebration of the milestone anniversary, Elysian released a 25th anniversary box, featuring some of its greatest beers and a collection of experiences to tell the brewery’s history. Elysian collaborated with nearly 30 artists nationwide to create different elements of the box, including both up-and-coming and established talent, like legendary Seattle artists Charles Burns and Peter Bagge of Fantagraphics.
One of the highlights came from Elysian’s Snailbones IPA. The brewery requested 27 different reinterpretations of label from 27 different artists from all different walks of life with just two criteria: It must have a snail and it must have bones. Here are the final products:
Natural Light #SendMyParentsAway Sweepstakes
Natural light wants to send Mom & Dad on a $20K trip to Alaska. That’s right…ALASKA… so their fans can kick-off summer by also scoring some brownie points. Natty understands that adulting is hard, especially when recent college grads are forced to move back in with their parents after graduation following a pandemic school year. Since the house is feeling crowded, Natty wants to help their 21+ fans do something nice for their parents and is going to send Mom and Dad far, far away so they can enjoy a staycation, while their parents go on an actual vacation.
Recent college grads are missing the freedoms of sleeping in, playing video games until 3am, and ordering pizza for dinner. So, Natty is helping out the entire fam by offering to send your parents on a long-weekend vacation to the Alaskan wilderness AND giving you all the credit. On the weekend they’re gone, Natty will also hook the winner up with two cases worth of Naturdays beer money, plus extra cash so they can buy all the snacks their parents purposely leave off the grocery list.
For a chance to win, share on social media why you need your parents out of the house using #SendMyParentsAway and #Sweepstakes between now and June 16.
Celebrate World Gin Day on Saturday, June 12th like the King of Gin ‘N Juice himself–Snoop Dogg.He is claiming his throne and setting the vibe for the international celebration with his recently launched INDOGGO® Gin, a strawberry infusion with Cali sunshine in every glass.
World Gin Day is all about celebrating the classic spirit by coming together, raising a glass and indulging with a cocktail. Snoop Dogg puts his own remix on the juniper based libation and offers a strawberry infused, premium gin that makes your tastebuds celebrate with you! Mix things up at home this year with some of Snoop’s favorite INDOGGO® Gin recipes like Long Beach Lemonade. With endless opportunities to craft delicious cocktail creations, INDOGGO® Gin is the ultimate spirit of this year’s celebration.
2 oz INDOGGO®
6 oz fresh lemonade
Ice cubes
Lemon slices for garnish
Add INDOGGO® and lemonade to a glass, stir to combine. Top with ice and lemon slices.
The New Fashioned
Ingredients
2 oz D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac 3/4 oz Simple Syrup 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Method
Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until cold. Strain into a rocks glass with a large-format ice cube. Twist orange peel over the cocktail to release the oils.
· Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat. Add lavender and allow to steep for 4 minutes.
· Strain and stir in sugar until dissolved. Allow to cool and bottle.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
· Jigger
· Knife
· Shaker
· Strainer
· Collins Glass
RECIPE
· Add first three ingredients to shaker tin and shake with ice.
· Strain into collins glass.
· Top with soda water and garnish.
· If using store-bought lavender syrup, reduce to 1/2 oz*
Piña Colada
Grab your glass and pour yourself a drink because National Piña Colada Day is on July 10!This special cocktail is one of the most popular cocktails worldwide, and is synonymous with its birthplace, Puerto Rico. This fall, the capital city of San Juan celebrates its incredible 500th anniversary, and there’s no better way to honor this momentous occasion than with a deep dive into the cocktail’s history. Discover Puerto Rico presents a delicious take on the iconic drink:
Ingredients
• ½ a cup of coconut cream
• ½ pineapple juice
• 1 cup of ice
• ¼ cup white rum
• Cherries, pineapple wedges, and whipped cream for toppings
Directions: In a blender, mix the coconut cream, pineapple juice, ice, and rum until all the ingredients are blended smoothly and frosty. Pour the drink into a glass and top with whipped cream. Use the cherries and pineapples as garnishes.
Elysian Summer Brews
The perfect pairing for a warm day out in the sun or to complement your favorite dishes at the BBQ, Elysian has a variety of beers for your holiday festivities:
Salt & Seed (4% ABV): Salt & Seed is made with 100% natural watermelon and kosher salt. Offering easy drinking with lemon-lime tartness, herbal characteristics, and mild saltiness, this gose is made with an even split of pale and malted white wheat and a dash of acid malt.
Space Dust (8.2% ABV): The #1 beer in Elysian’s portfolio, Space Dust balances bitterness with a sweetness of hop flavors and features grapefruit, mango, and orange aromas with a medium body and a dry finish.
Contact Haze (6% ABV): This IPA is a tangled chemistry of mild haze, low bitterness, and an explosion of hop aroma. On top of the typical citrus notes of hazy IPAs, Contact Haze features flavors and aromas of raspberry, current, guava, and passion fruit.
Additionally, Elysian is celebrating the start of summer with a new campaign titled ‘Cheers to Live Music’, which offers free beer via nationwide rebates on 6-packs of its Space Dust IPA and Contact Haze Hazy IPA for anyone 21+ who purchases a ticket for a show between June 23 – September 6. More information can be found on Elysian’s website.
AromaFlavor Beverage Labels
AromaFlavor is a new innovation that takes advantage of how your sense of smell can dramatically influence taste. Each label is infused with flavor-enticing aroma molecules that stimulate your olfactory nerve, sending flavor signals comparable to taste. Your body naturally inhales with every sip, delivering that perfect hint of fruitiness without any sugars, sweetness, additives, or aftertaste. Simply peel and place on the bottle as close to the nose as possible to enhance your next water, soda, or beer experience with flavors such as sweet lemon or wild berry.
Rowdy Torched Cherry
Rowdy Energy offers delicious and refreshing cocktails that are made with the “better-for-you” energy drink. Whether you’re looking for a fun and fruity Sangria (which features Rowdy Peach Mango) or a simple Torched Cherry (which features Rowdy Cherry Limeade), the following cocktails are sure to offer up a fun and unique twist to your summer cookout or get together.
Rowdy Energy was founded by Kyle Busch (2x NASCAR Cup Champion) and beverage entrepreneur, Jeff Church, with a focus on wellness. The drinks feature caffeine derived from green tea paired with the nootropic, L-Theanine, giving consumers a powerful lift without the unwanted and irritable crash.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Rum
4 oz. Rowdy Cherry Limeade
Directions: pour all ingredients over ice and stir
Grand Lux Cafe Mango Mule
This Thursday is National Mango Day (7/22) and to celebrate, Grand Lux Cafe has unveiled its newest cocktail, the Mango Mule. Made with Crop Organic Meyer Lemon Vodka, Fresh Lime, Mango and Fever Tree Ginger Beer, this refreshing drink is the perfect summer sipper and a great way to ring in the holiday!
1 oz. Fresh Mango – preferably ripe to overripe
1 ½ oz. Citrus Vodka – we recommend Crop Organic Meyer Lemon
½ oz. Orange Liqueur – such as Triple Sec or Cointreau
½ oz. Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio)
½ oz. Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice – approximately the juice from half a lemon
2 oz. Ginger Beer – we recommend Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Directions: In a mixing tin, combine the mango, citrus vodka and orange liqueur. Muddle the mango until it is well broken down – this will help infuse the flavor into the liquors. Add the simple syrup and fresh lemon juice to the shaker tin along with enough ice to fill the tin. Cap the tin and shake the cocktail quickly, 6-8 times to fully chill all the ingredients. Add the Ginger Beer to the tin and then pour the drink into a mule mug or pint glass.
Pomegranate Ginger Bubbly
With National Tequila Day (NTD) right around the corner (July 24), it’s time to start prepping for the celebrations with your favorite agave-based spirit! Meet the ultimate NTD companion – Volley the first clean tequila seltzer made with just three clean ingredients – 100% blue agave tequila (from the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico), sparkling water and organic juice. Volley is available in four guilt-free flavors – Zesty Lime, Spicy Ginger, Sharp Grapefruit and Tropical Mango.
Ingredients:
1/2 can Spicy Ginger Volley
½ oz. triple sec
Juice of ½ lime
Splash of pomegranate juice
orange and/or lime wheel
pomegranate seeds
Directions: Combine 1/2 can Spicy Ginger Volley, ½ oz. triple sec, Juice of ½ lime into a cocktail shaker and shake thoroughly. Once shaken, pour into glass and add a splash of pomegranate juice. Top with orange and/or lime wheel and pomegranate seeds.
The Freshest Margarita
Celebrate National Tequila Day this Saturday, July 24, with Milagro Tequila and their newest brand ambassador, Luis Lopez.
Ingredients:
• 2 Parts Milagro Silver
• ¾ Part Agave Nectar*
• 1 Part Fresh Lime Juice
Preparation: Pour all ingredients into a Boston shaker, shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
*Or Substitute with Simple Syrup.
The Coconut Margarita
National Tequila Day is on Saturday, July 24th!Celebrate this year with a delicious cocktail from Santo Spirits premium portfolio of authentic and smooth agave expressions including Santo Blanco, Santo Reposado and the one and only, Santo Mezquila. Take your tastebuds on a tropical vacation without leaving your house. This light and tropical cocktail includes Santo’s newest expression, Santo Reposado. This smooth, easy-drinking tequila is paired with coconut crème and lime juice for a traditional but flavorful summer sipper.
Ingredients:
2 oz Santo Reposado
½ oz Cointreau
1 oz Coconut Cream
¾ oz Lime Juice
½ oz Simple Syrup
Ice
Garnish: Dehydrated lime wheel, edible flowers
Directions: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add, tequila, cointreau, coconut cream, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish.
Hornitos Tequila Seltzer
With the popularity of canned, hard seltzers and extravagantly manicured nails both on the rise this summer, we can foresee how the two might not go hand-in-hand. That is why Hornitos® Tequila Seltzer and acclaimed celebrity nail artist, Chaun Legend, are coming to the rescue to help seltzer fans avoid a nail-cracking catastrophe just in the nick of time. The pair have created a series of easy tips and tricks to avoid the dreaded party foul and keep those Instagram-worthy nails in sensational condition all seltzer season long. You can view the tips HERE.
Now available nationwide, Hornitos Tequila Seltzer combines real Plata tequila with refreshing seltzer in two natural flavors – Lime and Mango – without any artificial sweeteners. To learn more about Hornitos Tequila and its shot-taking brand history, visit their website or follow along with Hornitos Tequila on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
The D’USSE Watermelon Cooler
The D’USSE Watermelon Cooler blends the refreshing tastes of sweet watermelon and basil together to accentuate the floral notes of the D’USSE cognac, making it the perfect ice-cold refreshment.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Parts D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac
3 Parts Fresh Watermelon Juice
1/2 Lime
3/4 Part Simple Syrup
3 Basil Leaves
Glass & Garnish:
Highball & Watermelon Slice, Basil Leaves
Directions:
Muddle basil and simple syrup in a shaker. Add all other ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled highball glass.
Nutpods Creamer
Nutpods, one of the fastest-growing brands of plant-based creamers in national retailers and the best-selling brand online, introduces its first-ever naturally sweetened coffee creamers, still with zero sugar per serving.
Retail partners Sprouts Farmers Markets and Wegmans will offer the Sweet Crème, French Vanilla, and Cookie Butter creamers in the 25.4oz refrigerated format with additional retailers joining the party later this fall. Nutpods Sweetened 11.2oz shelf-stable products will launch on Amazon and on Nutpods’ website. Sweet Crème, French Vanilla and Caramel will be available online in the 11.2oz shelf-stable format. Visit HERE for more information.
This Sparkling Watermelon Wine is lightly sweet but crisp and refreshing at the same time – perfect to share with your friends. The sweet watermelon aroma jumps out of the glass with this sparkler and is sure to be a hit for the holiday.
Produced in Napa, California Earl Stevens Selections’ still and sparkling wines are fruit-forward, created by hip-hop icon and entrepreneur, Earl “E-40” Stevens. Earl Stevens was extremely hands-on in the creation of his cognacs, having spearheaded the design, packaging and product blend for each product while vetting and identifying the appropriate distribution partner. For more info, visit HERE.
Did you know that the Island is responsible for producing over 70% of all the rum sold in the U.S.? Puerto Rico is home to household names like Bacardí to local favorites like Don Q with the Island’s rich rum history dating back to the 15th century. Created as a byproduct of the sugar cane industry, laborers discovered mixing molasses and fermenting it produced a distilled spirit – rum! There are over 80 different types of rums on the Island, and several distilleries that continue production to this day.
Casa Bacardí: Is the world’s largest premium rum distillery located across the bay from Old San Juan. Casa Bacardí offers guided tours that showcases the manufacturing process from sugar cane to distilled rum.
Castillo Serrallés: Built in the 1930s, the Castillo Serrallés Museum is a Spanish Revival-style home of the Serrallés family, famous for their Don Q rum. The home now serves as a permanent exhibition with guided tours in English and Spanish.
Hacienda Santa Ana: Just 15 minutes outside San Juan, the town of Bayamón boasts the oldest distillery in Puerto Rico. Since 1880, Ron del Barrilito has been manufactured and produced in small batches. There is also a visitor center where you can learn more about the history and taste of Barrilito.
PitoRico: Take a daytrip to the town of Jayuya for some flavorful moonshine called pitorro manufactured at Destilería Cruz. Visitors can drop by the distillery to get a tour of the factory and a tasting of the different flavors of PitoRico, including coconut, passion fruit, tamarind, orange and original.
BOMANI Cold Buzz
BOMANI Cold Buzz, the award-winning alcohol-infused cold brew coffee company, is proud to announce the launch of its Original and Vanilla alcohol-infused cold brew coffees in Arizona retail stores including Walmart, Total Wine, BevMo!, Sprouts, Whole Foods, and many more retailers in the Phoenix area.
Formulated with zero carbs, zero sugar, gluten-free alcohol, and ethically sourced 100% Arabica coffee beans, BOMANI Cold Buzz offers Arizonans a refreshing twist on cold brew to help beat the heat this summer. In partnership with goPuff, BOMANI will also be available for delivery throughout the state of Arizona. To order delivery for Original or Vanilla, visit GoPuff’s website.
D’USSE & Lemonade
Signature cocktail blending the sweet-tart flavor of lemonade with the smoothness of D’USSÉ.
Ingredients:
1 ½ parts D’USSE VSOP Cognac
4 Parts Lemonade
Glass & Garnish: Highball & Lemon Wheel
Method: Add D’USSE and lemonade into an ice-filled highball glass
1800 Tropical Sunset
While September and the beginning of fall are on the horizon, many are aiming to enjoy their remaining weeks of summer to the fullest extent possible. 1800 Tequila offers a range of cocktails across their summer-ready expressions that are perfect for capping off the summer in style, whether enjoyed on a late-summer vacation, a weekend getaway or simply on a rooftop or patio with friends!
Ingredients:
2 oz. 1800 Coconut
6 oz. pineapple juice
1 oz. orange liqueur
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Pour into a glass and garnish with a slice of pineapple.
High Plains Rye
After more than four decades of making some of the world’s finest bourbon, legendary Master Distiller Jim Rutledge is throwing his hat into the rye whiskey ring. High Plains Rye Straight Rye Whiskey is set to hit stores this summer and is sure to be a new favorite among whiskey connoisseurs. High Plains Rye will be release in 24 states across with U.S. with plans to expand distribution in the future. It will retail for approximately $54.95 and should hit shelves in late July.
The J. W. Rutledge Distillery team has been working on High Plains Rye for more than a year. This multi-state blend includes five straight rye whiskeys from four states – Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and New York (listed alphabetically). Each straight whiskey used in High Plains Rye has its own unique recipe—varying from 51% rye grain to 100% rye—and yeast strain. This generates a very distinct flavor profile and weighs in a 48.5 ABV.
Sail Away Coffee Co
Sail Away Coffee Co. is taking cold brew coffee to the next level with the launch of Sail Away Club, the world’s first hard seltzer and cold brew infusion. Sail Away Club is available online now in four refreshing flavors, including: Ocean Berry, Pina Colada, Mimosa, and The Original. Each 12oz can boasts as much caffeine as a half cup of coffee, while containing zero sugar and only 100 calories.
Launch bundles for Sail Away Club include The Basic Package (2 variety packs), The Deluxe Package (2 variety packs + koozies + an exclusive Sail Away Coffee shirt), and The Super Deluxe Package (2 variety packs + koozies + an exclusive Sail Away Coffee shirt + an exclusive Sail Away Coffee hoodie). For more information or to purchase, please visit HERE.
Mulholland Distilling
Mulholland Distilling provides the crisp, thirst-quenching, delicious beverages you’ve been craving all these hot summer days. This LA-based spirits company looks for customers to unleash their own Spirit of Los Angeles™.
Their smooth gin is imbued with the refreshing taste of cucumber. Mulholland Liquor also produces mouth-watering vodkas and their American whiskey, which won the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. To taste these award-winning liquors for yourself, visit Mulholland Distilling’s website HERE.
Add all ingredients into a sangria pitcher. Slap mint between both hands to release oil, then ass. Add ice. Stir until well mixed. Pour into ice-filled stemless wine glasses. Recipe makes 4 to 6 servings.
Glass & Garnish:
Large Sangria Pitcher, Stemless Wine & Lime Wheel, Mint Sprig
Lali
From Monday night book club to evenings with friends, do you wish there was a satisfying way to raise a toast without sacrificing your healthier lifestyle goals? Make the most of every social invitation without feeling deprived with Lali — the low-calorie, alcohol-removed wine that’s destined to become your second (or first) drink of the night.
Featuring all the right aroma and flavor notes with only 25 calories or less per can, Lali makes it easy to gab with glass in hand whether you’re watching your waistline, named the DD, or anticipating an early wake up call.
Raise a toast to:
Finally having a non-alcoholic alternative with an authentic taste!
Only 25 calories per serving
Convenient cans that can be packed to the river, beach, backyard, and more
Organic grapes harvested in the sunny vineyards of California’s Central Valley
Less than .5% alcohol by volume
4 cans in each pack, which totals 1.3 bottles of wine
More portable than heavy glass wine bottles and infinitely recyclable, these chic little cans are your partners in fun, from the beach house to the backyard. Learn more HERE.
NEFT Vodka
Our water is naturally filtered for fifty years as gravity, ever patient, gently flows through the granite and slate deep beneath the Austrian Alps for decades until it reaches our secure aquifer. Made only from four ancient grains of rye that carry with them the weather report and singular conditions of its vintage.
You can taste the winter it was planted and the summer it was harvested. The result, a rich, slightly sweet taste born of pure ingredients – no sugar or additives. And, a smooth finish that stops time.
Barrels are available in black and white, as well as a limited Pride edition. Shop here.
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
Whiskey cocktails may bring to mind cold nights and hot toddies, but Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey has the perfect refreshing end-of-summer cocktail – Roses & Pistols. This is an exclusive cocktail recipe created by Stranahan’s, the best-selling American single malt from Colorado’s first legal whiskey distillery, in collaboration with the iconic Hotel Jerome in Aspen.
Stranahan’s Blue Peak is a Colorado-made American single malt distilled at high altitude, aged in new American oak barrels, and Solera finished, resulting in a rich and mellow flavor that lends itself to whiskey cocktails. Bottles can be purchased on Drizly and ReserveBar.
Recipe
2 oz Stranahan’s Blue Peak
1 oz lemon
3/4 oz Vermouth Syrup (Antica Carpano Vermouth, cherries, maple, cardamom, orange peel, rose syrup, rose water, touch of cayenne pepper)
Bar spoon of Campari
Three dashes of Colorado cherry bitters
Directions: Combine ingredients. Stir. Serve in a rocks glass over a large ice cube and garnish with rose.
In Good Taste
It’s easy to see when summer arrives as out go the Cabs and in comes the Rosé, but how do you know what’s worth the price tag?
Discover your perfect summer wine without wasting the whole bottle with In Good Taste – a unique delivery service that’s serving up sample sized sips of premium wines alongside virtual guided tastings!
Their new Cascade Collection features six seriously expressive wines from Washington’s prestigious wine country, including a rosé that’s poised to change the way you say cheers this summer.
Cascade Wines’ Rosé Highlights:
Aromas of ripe, fresh picked fruit waft delicately from your glass
Hints of strawberry, cantaloupe, and rose hips play on your palate
Playful pink color is just as much fun in a glass as it is in the bottle
Each mini bottle holds a single glass of wine
Tote to baseball games, bonfires, backyards, and more!
Available as a part of the Cascade Wines sample collection or in a solo flavor six pack
4 packs coming soon!
$49 for The Cascade Collection
$45 for 6 packs of single varietals
D’USSÉ® That’s My Jam
Like a favorite song, this D’USSÉ® cocktail—with hints of apricot—is sure to stay on repeat.
Muddle thyme, lemon juice and pineapple in a shaker. Add apricot jam, D’USSÉ and ice. Shake well and strain into a crushed-ice-filled rocks glass. Top with sparkling soda.
D’USSÉ® Southern Charmer
This drink is a simple and sweet mixture perfect for a ball or barbecue.
Ingredients
1 ½ Parts D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac
2 Parts Sweet Tea
1 Part Lemonade
Method
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and pour into a highball glass. Add more ice.
D’USSÉ® The 13th Cocktail
This March Madness, Kansas City fans will enjoy this cocktail repping the city.
Ingredients
2 parts D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac
1 part fresh lime juice
1⁄2 part simple syrup
Ginger beer to top
Method
Add D’USSÉ, lime juice and simple syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top with ginger beer.
D’USSÉ® Far East
Those supporting Villanova this March Madness will absolutely love this cocktail represesenting the Wildcats.
Ingredients
11⁄2 parts D’USSÉ VSOP Cognac
1⁄2 part Amaretto liqueur
3 parts chai tea
1⁄2 part vanilla syrup
1⁄2 part almond milk
2 dashes cardamom bitters
Method
Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled highball glass.
1 Brandied Cherry & 2 Cucumber Balls skewered for garnish
Method: Combine liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with 1 brandied cherry & 2 cucumber balls skewered.
sipMargs
Check out Mango sipMARGS; they earned Double Gold at the 2022 World Spirits Competition! The brand launched in 2021 and created a new independent and iconic margarita-focused line. Their ready-to-drink sparkling margaritas are made with real, top-quality tequila and are low in calories, sugar and carbs. Offering an all-natural, great-tasting, authentic margarita in a can. Double gold is awarded to entries that receive a gold medal rating by all members of the judging panel; they are among the finest products in the world.
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition stems across four days. They are highly controlled blind tastings, with highly experienced judging panels. Each judge gets to taste every product and decide if it is medal-worthy. Judges do not receive any information on producer or price point, ensuring each spirit is judged fairly, equally, and without bias.
With an alcohol level of 5% ABV in each can, sipMARGS offers bold flavors, a quality tequila base (not wine or malt), and a competitive price point from an iconic brand focused solely on margaritas. The cans are offered in 4-packs (SRP $11.99) and Variety 8-packs (SRP $19.99). sipMARGS latest venture is Spicy which was officially released in March. They’re currently available in stores in New York, New Jersey and Florida but consumers can also purchase the products on their website.
Available online and at select retailers, the limited-edition Brass-Monkey Mix was exclusively created by the Cocktail Emporium and will be available nationwide for cheeky monkey gifts and stockings this holiday season.
Who’s ready for an epic and deliciously mixable holiday collab?
Developed to create the perfect Brass Monkey signature cocktail at home, the Monkey Shoulder cocktail mix features a combination of Pickett‘s Medium Spicy Ginger Beer Syrup and Black Cloud Cabaret Aromatic Bitters.
Full Contact Hazy IPA
Cloaked in a semi-translucent haze, an imposing presence beckons you to come closer. As you do, your nose opens to a tangent of wistful memories—peach season in the orchard, a tangerine tree on a hill, fresh honeydew cold from the fridge, and a vanilla cream soda in your hand. This is what Full Contact Imperial Hazy IPA feels like.
Dank Dust IPA
If you’re looking for something a little more dank, the brewery just launched a new, seasonal beer called Dank Dust IPA, which is brewed with proprietary terpenes, providing the beer with pungent, dank, citrusy, earthy aromas that erupt when you crack the can.
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe glass with a salt rim. Garnish with dried rose petals.
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a highball glass with ice. Top with soda, and mix with bar spoon until well-incorporated. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Redmont Vodka
It’s time to celebrate the beginning of summer the only way we know—barbecues, celebrations, and refreshing cocktails. Redmont Vodka, the finest small-batch Alabama distillery, owned by NBA legend and MVP Charles Barkley, offers All-American, delicious cocktail recipes for all celebrations.
No backyard barbecue is complete without some refreshing lemonade that the whole family can enjoy. For an adult twist, add Redmont Vodka to your glass and make a Redmont Lemonade for a sweet summer treat! Or, celebrate those who served with some Redmont Spirit, a combination of Redmont Vodka, peach schnapps, and pomegranate juice for some intensely fruity flavor. There is no shortage of different, delicious cocktails to craft with Redmont Vodka to help you march into the summer season!
Redmont Vodka is made from corn, which not only makes it gluten-free but also provides a smooth finish that doesn’t have a harsh aftertaste. In addition to being 8x distilled, the vodka flows through advanced carbon filtration systems, removing any off-flavors and achieving a much smoother finish. Redmont features the purest reverse osmosis water to blend our vodka to 40% ABV 80 Proof. Raise a glass and toast to the celebration with a delicious cocktail featuring Redmont Vodka—a premium vodka with a smooth finish and no harsh aftertaste.
Perfectly paired with a warm sunny day, Paloma from Milagro Tequila will have you set with outstanding cocktails this season. Lets dive into some of the finest recipes that you can whip up this summer.
Method: Pour all ingredients, except sparkling water, into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with speared grapefruit wedge.
Method: Pour all ingredients into a Boston shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with grapefruit peel and kosher salt rim.
Method: Combine ingredients in a rocks glass over crushed ice. Churn, stack ice and drizzle blackberry liqueur. Garnish with a lemon wheel and blackberry.
Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22.5 years in death of George Floyd
Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who killed George Floyd on a Minneapolis Street last year, was sentenced Friday to 22 and half years in prison. Under Minnesota law, Chauvin will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence or 15 years — and he will be eligible for supervised release for the remaining seven and a half years. Minnesota’s sentencing guideline range is ten years and eight months to fifteen years for this crime; however, Chauvin’s sentence exceeds that.
According to CNN, a 22-page memorandum noted that there were two aggravating factors that warranted a harsher sentence for Chauvin: 1) He abused his position of trust or authority and 2) he treated Floyd with particular cruelty. Judge Cahill noted that Chauvin remained indifferent to Mr. Floyd’s pleas even as he was begging for his life and terrified by the knowledge that he was likely to die.
“Mr. Chauvin’s prolonged restraint of Mr. Floyd was also much longer and more painful than the typical scenario in a second-degree or third-degree murder or second-degree manslaughter case” – Judge Peter Cahill
Engaging, insightful, informative, and often on-the-scene, Monique Pressley is an important voice with a unique vantage point. Pressley has been closely following the Chauvin trial and sentencing throughout its duration and has provided insightful legal analysis and POV for numerous media outlets, including NPR, BET.com, Black News Channel, #RolandMartinUnfiltered and more. More than a source for general legal and political analysis, Pressley is also in the fight for social justice alongside legal activists such as renowned civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, lending her expertise and aid to families and victims of police misconduct and fatal interactions.
In addition to her current work as a crisis manager for political and entertainment figures, this multi-faceted champion for important causes has served as a former congressional staffer to the legendary U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-TX); has advocated on both sides of the courtroom as a former assistant attorney general specializing in defense of police misconduct civil suits and as a criminal defense attorney; and cultivating the next generation of trial lawyers as a professor and coach at her alma mater, the esteemed Howard University School of Law.
A rare combination of insider access, cultural currency/influence, a wealth of knowledge, and an uncanny ability to interpret complex legal or political issues for audiences makes Pressley an ideal choice for coverage or inclusion as a third-party expert.
As she is currently providing ongoing consult to Attorney Crump in the Floyd matter and a member of a core team meeting with members of Congress and the White House, Pressley is available to speak today’s developments in the Chauvin sentencing decision, as well as discuss updates in the ongoing effort to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
The case regarding the former police officer involved in the death of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin, has been unfolding. Chauvin has now been charged with both second- and third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was found guilty on all accounts. The case can be viewed live on CNN’s website here.
George Floyd’s death was recorded via cellphone footage from a nearby bystander, Darnella Frazier. Frazier, then seventeen at the time, has brought critical attention to Floyd’s death as a result of her footage, a major piece of evidence in bringing light to the case. Frazier has revealed that she only observed violence from the police officers at the scene of Floyd’s death, which contradicts the defense’s illustration of the bystanders as a “angry mob that was striking fear into the police.” Earlier this month on Facebook, Frazier had posed a query to her followers, asking what would have happened if no one recorded Floyd’s arrest and death, posing an important question surrounding the relationship between the police and the community members that the force governs. Frazier ended her testimony with an emotional statement: “When I look at George Floyd, I look at my dad. I look at my brothers. I look at my cousins, my uncles because they are all Black. I have a Black father. I have a Black brother. I have Black friends. And I look at that, and I look at how that could have been one of them.”
Frazier had witnessed the distressful scene alongside her nine-year-old cousin. The witness said that the officer on the scene had his knee on Floyd’s neck, even after the EMT personnel asked “him nicely to get off of him.” She continues, explaining that the ambulance personnel had to get the officer off of Floyd. “I was sad and kind of mad”, she remarks, “because it felt like he was stopping his breathing, and it was kind of like hurting him.”
Another witness to Floyd’s death, mixed-martial artist Donald Williams II, has taken to the stand to account what he observed at the scene of Floyd’s arrest. Williams had called the police on the police after seeing Floyd transported from the gruesome scene via ambulance. Williams claims, “I believed I witnessed a murder.”
Williams has faced speculation and discreditation from the defense attorney of Officer Chauvin, Eric J. Nelson. Nelson spent much of the morning on the second day of the trial questioning William’s knowledge of martial arts defense. Nelson also attempted to portray Williams as angry, to which Williams clarified his reaction was out of desperation because of the harrowing situation at hand. Nelson also attempted to portray the crowd of bystanders as mad at and violent towards the police officers present at the scene. As earlier stated, this claim contradicts Frazier’s assertion that the police were the source of violence at the scene. Nelson averted the attention from the video footage, asserting that there are 50,000 items in evidence and this case is “is clearly more than about 9 minutes and 29 seconds.”
On the other hand, the prosecution said it would bring in seven medical experts and the Hennepin County medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Floyd (who classified the case as homicide) to bring further clarity to the case. Chauvin’s attorney is arguing that Floyd died due to a drug overdose and heart condition, though the nine minutes and twenty-nine second video also clearly shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck, restricting his ability to breathe. Prosecuting attorney, Jerry W. Blackwell, spoke about the video footage: “You can believe your eyes, that it’s homicide–it’s murder.”
Another witness to the scene, paramedic Seth Zachary Bravinder, testified that when he arrived on scene, he could tell that Floyd already wasn’t breathing. When lifting Floyd into the ambulance, the paramedic recalls Floyd’s state: “I guess limp would be the best description. He wasn’t — he was unresponsive and wasn’t holding his head up or anything like that,” Bravinder said. He continues, explaining that Floyd flatlined while on the way to the hospital. Once realizing his patient had flatlined, Bravinder and his partner stopped the ambulance to give medical aid to Floyd. Bravinder elaborated on the condition of Floyd, explaining that the term “flatlining” refers to “not a good sign…basically just because your heart isn’t doing anything at that moment. There’s not — it’s not pumping blood. So it’s not — it’s not a good sign for a good outcome.”
Another paramedic who delivered medical assistance to George Floyd, Derek Smith, also delivered a testimony in the trial of Chauvin. Upon arriving on scene, Smith reports that he saw Floyd on the ground with three officers on top of him. He continues detailing the scene: “I walked up to the individual, noticed he wasn’t moving. I didn’t see any chest rise or fall on this individual.” Smith reported that he thought Floyd was dead, and upon checking the victim, he says that Floyd’s pupils were “large” and “dilated” and that he couldn’t detect his pulse. Still, Smith says he did all that he could in an attempt to revive Floyd: “”[H]e’s a human being and I was trying to give him a second chance at life.”
A doctor who provided emergency care to Floyd at Hennepin County Medical Center, Dr. Bradford Wankhede Langenfeld, also took to the stand. Dr. Langenfeld had pronounced Floyd dead on May 25, 2020. Langenfeld attested that the emergency responders who responded to the event were originally called upon for a “lower type of acute event of facial trauma,” but the call was later upgraded to call for “an individual under distress.” When Floyd arrived at the hospital, Langefeld explains that the paramedics attempted to resuscitate Floyd for “approximately 30 minutes,” by inserting a tube down his throat to ventilate his lungs, as well as attempted to administer CPR and medication. The report did not mention that the police officers on scene nor any of the bystanders attempted to give Floyd CPR. Langenfeld, who provided medical treatment to Floyd, testified that hypoxia was likely a cause of Floyd’s cardiac arrest. He says, “Based on the history that was available to me, I felt that hypoxia was one of the more likely possibilities.” Langenfeld clarified to prosecutor Jerry Blackwell that hypoxia refers to “cardiac arrest meaning oxygen insufficiency.” Langenfeld continues describing the condition of his patient: “There was no obvious, significant external trauma that would have suggested he suffered anything that could produce bleeding to lead to a cardiac arrest.” Jerry Blackwell asked if Langenfeld theorized oxygen deficiency as the leading cause of Floyd’s death, to which Langenfeld replied: “That was one of the more likely possibilities. I felt at the time based on information I had, it was more likely than the other possibilities.”
Capt. Jeremy Norton of the Minneapolis Fire Department had also been in the ambulance which escorted Floyd to the hospital. In his testimony, he recalled the scene when he entered the ambulance: “He was an unresponsive body on a cot.” Norton continues, attesting that after Floyd was delivered to the hospital, he filed a report with his supervisors regarding the incident. Norton says, “”I was aware that a man had been killed in police custody, and I wanted to notify my supervisors to notify the appropriate people above us in the city, in the fire department and whomever else, and then I also wanted to inform my deputy that there was an off-duty firefighter, who was a witness at the scene.”
Minneapolis police inspector, Katie Blackwell, also testified in Chauvin’s trial. She detailed that she had worked with Chauvin for over 20 years, and had selected him as a field training officer. Blackwell documented that Chauvin had been regularly instructed in defensive tactics and the proper use of force as taught by the Minneapolis Police Department. She continued testifying, adding that officers are also trained in their medical unit about the dangers of possible asphyxiation and the cruciality of positioning people up right or on their side to recover from such. She added that once a person is under control, officers should position them in a recovery position “as soon as possible.” Further, Blackwell said that Chauvin participated in a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training in 2016, and another seven hour refresher course in 2018– which included de-escalation training as part of the program. In viewing an image of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck, Blackwell said: “I don’t know what kind of improvised position that is,” she said. “It’s not what we train.”
Another witness, Christopher Martin, continues to fill in more details to the harrowing day of Floyd’s death. Christopher Martin was the cashier at Cup Noodles, a convenience store in south Minneapolis. He explains that Floyd came in to buy cigarettes with a friend on May 25, and describes Floyd’s condition as “very friendly” and “talkative.” Martin testified that Floyd appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Martin continues, explaining that Floyd had paid with a counterfeit $20 bill. After realizing the counterfeit payment, Martin reported it to his manager, as the store had a policy of deducting the amount of counterfeit payment from its employee’s paychecks. Martin’s boss instructed the worker to approach Floyd and ask him to come back into the store, and Martin was met with refusal. He returned to the store and told his manager that he would accept the pay deduction, but Martin’s manager encouraged him to again approach Floyd. After Floyd refused for the second time, Martin’s manager told another store worker to call 911. Minutes later, Martin says that he recalls a large crowd of people gathering outside, “yelling” and “screaming.” Martin joined the crowd outside, observing as bystanders demanded for the police to take Floyd’s pulse as Chauvin continued to kneel on the victim’s neck. Reflecting on the scene, Martin says he felt “disbelief and guilt.” Elaborating on that statement, Martin explains: “If I would have just not taken the bill, this could have been avoided.” Martin has also added that “the one thing I would say to Derek Chauvin is justice will be served.”
The man who had been in the car alongside Floyd, Morries Hall, refuses to testify in the trial of Derek Chauvin and has asserted that he will invoke his Fifth Amendment if called to the stand. Hall had fled Minnesota shortly after Floyd died, and was soon after arrested in Texas on account of outstanding felony warrants that had been issues to him prior to Floyd’s death. One of the charges includes being a felon in possession of a firearm. Regarding the day of Floyd’s death, Hall has been accused of trying to get rid of evidence related to the case. A court document filed by the defense reports: “Surveillance video from the nearby Dragon Wok restaurant shows that Mr. Hall appeared to use Mr. Floyd’s resistance as a distraction to destroy evidence…The video demonstrates that Mr. Hall watched through the windows of Mr. Floyd’s vehicle to ensure that he was not being observed by police, then…. Mr. Hall furtively dropped something into the sewer drain on the street.”
Courteney Batya Ross, Floyd’s girlfriend since August 2017, took to the stand and revealed that both herself and Floyd had struggled with opioid addiction. She explains their opioid use: “Both Floyd and I, our story — it’s a classic story of how many people get addicted to opioids. We both suffered from chronic pain. Mine was in my neck and his was in his back. We both have prescriptions. But after prescriptions that were filled, and we got addicted, and tried really hard to break that addiction many times.” Elaborating on Floyd’s opioid usage, Ross disclosed that Floyd had been hospitalized for overdose in March of 2020.
The prosecution presented this information regarding Floyd’s usage to light not to paint him in a negative light, but to show the full truth of the situation. CNN legal analyst Laura Coates explains the prosecution’s strategy: “’It’s because as the prosecutor, you want to present and address and resolve these bad facts. You don’t want to have the defense be able to say, ‘Hey, jury, why didn’t they tell you about this? Here are the things they don’t want you to know.’ Sprinkling seeds of doubt’….Coates added that the prosecution is addressing it so they can “package it essentially” to say, “‘So what? He has an opioid addiction.’ And of course in America, we view opioid abuse very differently than we did even decades ago. How does this actually impact Chauvin’s decision to act?’”
Retired Sgt. David Pleoger of the Minneapolis Police Department took to the stand to describe a phone call that had taken place between Chuavin and himself on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin had kneeled on Floyd’s neck. He recalls: “I believe he told me that they had — tried to put Mr. Floyd — I didn’t know his name at the time, Mr. Floyd into the car. He had become combative,” adding that “I think he mentioned that he had injured — either his nose or his mouth, a bloody lip, I think, and eventually after struggling with him, he suffered a medical emergency and an ambulance was called and they headed out of the scene.” Pleoger also detailed that he has known Chauvin since 2008.
Another member of the force, Jon Curtis Edwards, a sergeant with the Minneapolis Police Department, took to the stand to discuss details about the crime scene and body camera footage. Edwards reports that he arrived at the scene of 38th and Chicago around 9:35 p.m. ET. Upon arrival, Edwards says there were only two officers still present– J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane– and not many other people around. While Edwards attests that he arrived on scene with his body camera turned on, he says that the two officers who had been at the scene did not have their cameras on. Edwards asked them to turn their body cameras on. Then, after the two officers detailed to Edwards where the scene had occurred, Edwards told them to place crime scene tape around the area “so that we could preserve any potential evidence that was there.”
The most senior officer on the Minneapolis police department and head of the Minneapolis Police’s homicide unit, Lt. Richard Zimmerman, also took to the stand. He clarified that the actions of Chauvin are not compliant with the training that police officers receive, adding that “if your knee is on a person’s neck, that could kill them.” As the most long-standing member of the police force, and having been trained every year in the appropriate use of force, he says that he has never received instruction to deliver force via kneeling on the back or neck of someone, as Chauvin demonstrated. “Pulling him down to the ground face down, and putting your knee on a neck for that amount of time is just uncalled for. I saw no reason why the officers felt they were in danger — if that’s what they felt — and that’s what they would have to feel to be able to use that kind of force,” Zimmerman stated. He says that Chauvin’s use of force would only be used in a “top-tier, deadly force” situation and in case of Floyd was “totally unnecessary.” There are varying degrees of how officers can work to restrain someone. Zimmerman explains, “Once a person is cuffed, the threat level goes down all the way. They are cuffed, how can they really hurt you,” he said. “You getting injured is way down. You could have some guy try to kick you or something, but you can move out of the way. That person is handcuffed, you know, so the threat level is just not there.” Upon arriving at the crime scene around 10 p.m., Zimmerman recalls walking up to officers J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane. Determining the two as “involved officers,” Zimmerman says he instructed them to go to city hall to be interviewed. Zimmerman explains that the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) took over the handling of the case when the hospital determined Floyd had passed. Lt. Richard Zimmerman, head of the Minneapolis Police’s homicide unit, said the use of force by former officer Derek Chauvin against George Floyd was “totally unnecessary.”
Police Chief Medaria Arradondo from the Minneapolis Police Department also took to the stand to discuss the use of force and de-escalation techniques. He has held his position as chief for three years, and has been involved with the department since 1989. At the beginning of his testifying, he was asked to identify Derek Chauvin, whom he successfully pointed out. He discussed de-escalation tactics and the use of force in the Minneapolis Police Department. Reading the department’s policy, Arradondo states: “As an alternative and/or the precursor to the actual use of force MPD officers shall consider verbally announcing their intent to use force including displaying an authorized weapon as a threat of force when reasonable under the circumstances.” He continues, “The goal is to resolve the situation as safely as possible. So you want to always have de-escalation layered into those actions of using force.”
When asked about Chauvin’s use of force unto Floyd, Arradondo said “The conscious neck restraint by policy mentions light to moderate pressure. When I look at exhibit 17 and when I look at the facial expression of Mr. Floyd, that does not appear in any way, shape or form that that is light to moderate pressure.” Arradondo comments on the use of restraint by Chauvin: “I absolutely agree that violates our policy,” detailing that the Department’s core values include treating everyone with “dignity and respect.” Arradondo continues, “Once Mr. Floyd had stopped resisting. And certainly once he was in distress and trying to verbalize that, that should have stopped. There is an initial reasonableness in trying to just get him under control in the first few seconds. But once there was no longer any resistance, and clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive, and even motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to a person proned-out, handcuffed behind their back. That, in no way, shape or form is anything that is by policy. It is not a part of our training. And it is certainly not part of our ethics or our values.”
Arradondo also commented on the first amendment right of protesters to record officers with their cellphones, even if the officers find the recording “irritating.” This “absolute first amendment right” is granted to all people, “with the exception that they cannot obstruct the activity of the officers but they absolutely have the right, barring that, to record us performing our duties,” he added. In the case of Floyd, the recording of officers was deemed by Arradondo as non-obstructive.
In his own viewing of the footage surrounding Floyd’s death, Arradondo commented that the city-owned video camera footage he originally saw didn’t show as much detail as community member footage. Arradondo recalls learning of the bystander video recording: “Probably close to midnight a community member had contacted me and said, chief, almost verbatim, but said, chief, have you seen the video of your officer choking and killing that man at 38th and Chicago? And so once I heard that statement, I just knew it wasn’t the same milestone camera video that I had saw. And eventually within minutes after that, I saw for the first time what is now known as the bystander video.”
In reviewing the footage, which showed Chauvin’s use of force on Floyd’s neck, Arradondo commented on whether the officer followed the department’s de-escalation policy: “”I absolutely don’t agree with that”…”that action is not de-escalation. And when we talk about the framework of our sanctity of life and when we talk about the principles and values we have, that action goes contrary to what we’re taught.”
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, also was present in the court room alongside the Floyd family attorney, Ben Crump. Having to relive his brother’s death through re-watching the traumatic video footage, Philonise commented that it was an “emotional day watching his brother being tortured to death, screaming for his mom, talking about his kids… it was a tragedy that should have never happened.” While Chauvin and his defense are attempting to pin Floyd’s death on other factors, including drug use and health issues, Crump refocuses the case on Chauvin’s defense’s allegations: “That’s their playbook. That’s what they’ve done to so many people of color who have been unjustifiably killed by police. [They] assassinate their character so it can be a distraction from their excessive use of force.” As Chauvin’s defense looks to explain the cause of Floyd’s death as due to factors outside of the police force, Crump declares “The reason Derek Chauvin kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck is because he lacks humanity.”
When it came time for Chauvin to take the stand, he plead his Fifth Amendment right to stay silent, choosing not testify in his own defense. On Thursday, Chauvin’s attorneys rested their case shortly after his invocation. The prosecution had rested its case on Tuesday, after hearing from 38 witnesses over 11 days of the murder trial. Chauvin has plead not guilty to second-degree unintentional manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and third-degree murder charges.
Chauvin’s defense attorney, Eric Nelson, said during his closing argument that “that Derek Chauvin’s own use of force trainer at the Minneapolis Police Department testified that placing the knee on the neck of a suspect “is not an unauthorized move,” according to CNN. Nelson is referring to the earlier testimony of Minneapolis Police Lt. Johnny Mercil, who conducts the training for the Department. Mercil had testified that using a knee on someone’s neck “can be justified in certain circumstances,” perhaps as a means of “using body weight to control.” However, Mercil had also remarked “however, I will add that we don’t — we tell officers to stay away from the neck when possible and if you’re going to use body weight to pin, to put it on their shoulder and be mindful of position.” Keeping all this in mind, during his closing argument Nelson urged the jury to consider the circumstances Chauvin had arrived at on-scene, including meeting “active resistance” and “potentially active aggression” from Floyd. Nelson stated to the jury, “The state has really focused on the 9 minutes and 29 seconds, 9 minutes and 29 seconds, 9 minutes and 29 seconds. It’s not the proper analysis because the 9 minutes and 29 seconds ignores the previous 15 minutes and 59 seconds. Completely disregards.” Nelson reminded that jury that his client, Chauvin, has a “presumption of innocent,” until possibly being proven guilty beyond a reasonable guilt by the state.
The case’s prosecuting attorney, Steve Schleicher, reminded the jury that “George Floyd is not on trial here,”…”For 9 minutes and 29 seconds. He begged, George Floyd begged until he could speak no more, and the defendant continued. This assault. When he was unable to speak, the defendant continued. When he was unable to breathe the defendant continued. Beyond the point that he had a pulse. Beyond the point that he had a pulse, the defendant continued this assault. Nine minutes and 29 seconds.” During Schleicher’s closing statement, he asserted that Chauvin’s actions were not in line with the motto of the Minneapolis Police Department, “to protect with courage.”
Another prosecuting attorney, Jerry Blackwell, took to the stand again to deliver his closing statement. He reminded the jury that while “”when he [Eric Nelson] was talking about causation, he talks about fentanyl, heart failure, hypertension. He says that we have to show beyond a reasonable doubt that none of these other factors played a role”…but “”what we need to prove is that the defendant’s actions were a substantial causal factor in his death. It does not have to be the only causal factor. It doesn’t have to be the biggest substantial factor. It just has to be one of them.” Further, he asserted the power that Chauvin held over Floyd while kneeling on the victim’s neck: “He had the bullets, the guns, the mace that he threatened the bystanders with. He had backup. He had the badge. He had all of it. And what was there to be afraid of, here particularly, at this scene?”
Blackwell also urged the jury to consider what he called the case’s 46th witness– common sense. He cited the eyewitness account of the nine-year-old bystander, claiming that the case is “so simple a child could understand… [t]he 9-year-old girl said, ‘get off of him.’ That’s how simple it was. Get off of him. Common sense.”
As the closing arguments of the case are being released today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released her statement: “Today is a solemn day as the closing arguments are presented in the George Floyd murder trial. I commend the Floyd family for their dignified calls for justice, which were heard around the world”…”As outraged as we are by his death, let us be prayerful that the truth will prevail and will honor George Floyd’s memory.”
Chauvin is on trial for three different charges, in which the jury must deliberate whether or not the prosecution “proved beyond a reasonable doubt.” The first charge Chauvin could be convicted of is second-degree unintentional murder. The prosecution must prove that Chauvin caused George Floyd’s death while committing an underlying felony. Futher, prosectors must also prove that Chauvin acted with no intent to kill, just intent to act. If convicted, Chauvin could face up to 40 years in prison. Secondly, Chauvin faces a possible charge for third-degree murder. In order to be convicted, prosecutors must prove Chauvin committed a reckless act that is “eminently dangerous” to others with “depraved mind.” If Chauvin is convicted of third-degree murder, he could face up to 25 years in prison. Finally, Chauvin faces a third conviction for second-degree Manslaughter. In order to be charged, the prosecution must prove Chauvin was “culpably negligent” and disregarded awareness of substantial risk of great bodily injury or death of Floyd. If convicted of second-degree manslaughter, Chauvin could face up to 10 years in prison. All of the charges are seperate, so Chauvin could end up being charged for a combination of charges, being found guilty on all accounts, or be found completely non-guilty.
While the world waits to heart the outcome of Derek Chauvin’s trial, the NYPD is bracing for the reaction to the case’s verdict. In a statement, the. NYPD said that the department has been preparing for months and has provided the necessary training for its officers to “protect and facilitate the constitutional right to peace protest.” In DC, the Army has positioned 250 members of the National Guard in preparation for potential protest, riots, and civil unrest. Around the country, police departments are preparing to face the reaction to the outcome of the trial.
The jury panel working to determine the outcome of the trial consists of six white jurors and six Black or multi-racial people. Of the jurors, seven are women and five are men. The panel consists of a grandmother, nurse, chemist, and auditor, among others. The jury’s verdict must be unanimous, and must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Shortly after the juror deliberations had begun, several of Minnesota’s most prominent politicians spoke about to urge for calm, regardless of the trial’s outcome.
Gov. Tim Waltz spoke to Minnesota residents: ““We must acknowledge two truths: We cannot allow civil unrest to descend into chaos, we must protect life and property,” the governor continued. “We also must understand very clearly, if we don’t listen to those communities in pain, and those people on the streets, many of whom were arrested for speaking a fundamental truth, that we must change, or we will be right back here again.”
Minneapolis’ mayor, Jacob Frey, echoed similar peaceful sentiments: ““There’s been pain and anguish, anger and frustration that is undoubtedly acutely felt by our Black and Brown communities,” Frey said. “Regardless of the outcome of this trial, regardless of the decision made by the jury, there is one true reality, which is that George Floyd was killed at the hands of police.” Similarly, Saint Paul’s mayor cautioned against violence.
Gov. Melvin Center spoke out about the jury deliberations on Monday afternoon: ““Whatever the jury decides, we know that in this age of insurrection and extremism that we must be ready for the possibility of those who would exploit this moment and drown out the powerful voices of constructive protests across our nation with violence and destruction.'”
Even President Biden spoke out about the trial, sharing similar thoughts. The President said he hopes the right outcome of the trial will prevail, and commented on the “overwhelming” evidence of the case. Biden also had a private conversation to discuss familial loss with George Floyd’s brother, Philonise.
The verdict of the case has been decided and publicly announced, as reported by CNN: “Former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin has been convicted on all charges by a jury in the Hennepin County court. The jury found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd’s death in May 2020.”
As seen in media from Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival and president and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach:
“Today’s three guilty verdicts in the trial of Derek Chauvin are an important public act of accountability. But any verdict on a charge of less than first-degree murder — a charge that Chauvin did not face — is a sign that we still have work to do. Before the entire nation, fellow officers took the stand in this trial and testified that their colleague did not protect and serve but abused power and killed George Floyd. We must meet this public act of justice and accountability with federal legislation that will hold officers of the law accountable in every state, and we must continue to work in every community to shift public investment from over-policing poor, Black and brown communities to ensuring restorative justice and equity for all people.”
Bellagio’s Petrossian Bar in Las Vegas Debuts Caviar and Cocktails for the Modern Traveler
Caviar Tacos, “Worldly” Old Fashioned, and cocktail pairings highlight new experience from The Strip’s most iconic lobby bar
Caviar Tacos and captivating cocktail pairings take center stage at Petrossian Bar’s new epicurean experience at Bellagio Resort & Casino. Along with live piano sounds and views of Dale Chihuly’s “Fiori di Como” over the resort’s bustling lobby, the legendary bar’s evolved menu blends signature components of Las Vegas’ culinary scene with extravagant ingredients to create an approachable way to indulge in the world’s finest spirits and caviar.
“Petrossian Bar has long been heralded as an iconic people-watching destination featuring exceptional caviar, high-end spirits, and tea service,” said Bellagio Executive Chef Wesley Holton. “We took those core elements and world-renowned offerings, then infused them with modern concepts for an engaging lobby bar experience that cannot be found anywhere else.”
A Glimpse into Petrossian Bar’s New Menu
Signature Sips
Worldly Old Fashioned: A glass globe transports an international Old Fashioned tableside with Yamazaki 12-Year Japanese Whisky, WhistlePig 10-Year Whiskey, Craigelliache 13-Year Scotch, Demerara Syrup and Angostura Bitters.
Poof!: Encapsulated in a glass of smoke is an exquisite cocktail-pairing experience. Once the smoke dissipates, Poof! reveals a concoction of Bulliet Rye Whiskey, Copper & King Apple Brandy and Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth sitting side-by-side with Duck Confit Croquettes for a smoky and surprising delight to be enjoyed together.
The Bellagio Martini: Exuding elegance with a beautifully shaped ice sphere at the center of the glass, this quintessential vodka-based martini features lemon essence for a splash of citrus to pair with the lavish and edible Ossetra Caviar Cigar.
Caviar Creations
Caviar Taco: One of the planet’s most opulent and scrumptious tacos features a thin and crispy potato shell filled with layered flavors of Hamachi, lemon, chives and olive oil and then topped with Daurenkie caviar.
Caviar Pie: Crème fraiche and brown butter filling upon a flaky crust create a savory tart garnished with green apples, lemons, and flowers to complement the caviar in this indulgent pie.
Dark Chocolate Caviar: Petrossian Bar’s delectable dessert mimics caviar service through dark chocolate “pearls” presented with Meyer lemon gelee, fresh citrus supremes, Rose champagne sorbet and vanilla chantilly.
In addition to these new signature cocktails and decadent dishes, Petrossian Bar offers an elevated Afternoon Tea experience from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The experience includes freshly baked scones, flavorful desserts, and choice of tea.
Reservations are required at Petrossian Bar. Visit Bellagio online for more information.
Worldly Old Fashioned Photo Credit: Robert FlickerCigar Caviar Photo Credit: Robert FlickerPoof! Photo Credit: Robert Flicker
With Father’s Day quickly approaching, luxury brand TAG Heuer has the perfect gifts for pop!
The new Aquaracer 300 Professional, unveiled in mid-April, includes four new pieces will be available for purchase in early June. Aquaracers are TAG Heuer’s timeless and professional sports watches. The new thinner and chicer Aquaracers are perfect for business professional dad during the week and a surfer dad on the weekends. TAG Heuer says: “Forged for the deeps and fit for every ground, the ultimate tool watch pushes the boundaries of luxury timekeeping. Sporting heavy-duty materials, this ultimate tool watch emerges with a new lease of life.”
For fathers on-the-go, TAG Heuer’s app provides the perfect solution. The TAG Heuer Connected Wellness app will help keep dad healthy and in shape to fight those pandemic pounds! The app measures your performance–from running and cycling, to golf and fitness, and more! You can track his steps, calories, and heart rate with automatic ease. The app also features advance statistics to track distance and routes. Help dad reach his wellness goals in a tech-savvy way that will measure his everyday performance.
And for the dads who want to improve their golf game, TAG Heuer’s Connected Golf Watch will keep track of dad’s every shot, putt, and step on over 40,000 golf courses across the globe. This watch truly takes the sport to the next level, allowing dad to up his game like never before. Monitor your distance to the green and nearby hazards, as well as view interactive maps, shot distance, and a smart scorecard. Dad can even keep track of his notifications, weather and Google Pay while on the green.
The lockdown has ended up becoming a blessing in disguise. It is the perfect opportunity for you to be able to pick up a new skill. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are able to use the lockdown wisely, then you can surely benefit from it a lot. Use this to your advantage and spend a little more time with yourself. Who knows? By the end of this lockdown, you might evolve into an even better version of who you are now. Read on to find out all the various ways to spend your time productively during the lockdown.
Spending Time Productively in Lockdown
Learn to Cook
This is the time when you find yourself in close proximity to the kitchen the whole day. Ordering in might be a risky bet considering that it might provoke the spread of COVID. So, instead of ordering food from a delivery app, cook it yourself. Start with the simpler things at first like making tea, boiling eggs, etc. As you learn more every day, you can eventually take up cooking initiatives that you never imagined before.
Try New Things
This lockdown, try something that you normally wouldn’t. Spend your time picking up a new skill. There is an endless world out there. Take online gambling for instance. You can get 100 free spins no deposit in UK if you visit online casinos. In this pandemic, as people spend more time at homes, the popularity of online casinos has skyrocketed. More and more people are exploring the world of online gambling because it is thrilling and fun. So, go ahead and explore.
Read More Books
This is the ideal time to read a book. If you are not an avid reader, you might be depriving yourself of one of the most beautiful experiences in life. We all receive books as gifts on our birthdays. On most occasions, those books end up getting dragged to one corner of our shelf and keep collecting dust. Now is the time to get those books out and experience the beautiful stories they tell.
Bond with Family
We live in an age of preoccupations. Everyone is preoccupied with something or the other. Children are busy studying; parents are busy working. We are hardly able to make time for each other. However, the lockdown has changed it, even though temporarily. In the lockdown, a unique phenomenon has taken place. Every member of the family is under one roof. Children are getting to attend online classes and parents are getting to work from home. So, start spending more time with each other. Begin with the simpler things like eating at the dinner table together or watching a movie.
Exercise
You don’t necessarily have to go to a gym to work on your fitness. A free hand workout is the best form of fitness routine. The best thing about it is that it can simply be done at home. So, this lockdown, use the opportunity to work, on your fitness, from home. Go to the terrace, do some stretching. Do some crunches and push-ups. Use the extra time you get at home to improve your health because it will not only help you physically, but also mentally.
Meditate
A lot of people turn out to be rather skeptical when it comes to meditation. However, experts certify meditation to be a genuinely helpful habit. It can result in profound improvement of your mental health and stability. Even more so, in the stressful situation of the global pandemic, you need to calm yourself down. So, practice meditating. It can do wonders.
Watch TV
In the age of Netflix and Amazon Prime, we have gained access to a seemingly endless plethora of interesting shows on TV or computers. Some of the shows have thousands of episodes, each having a running time of at least an hour. Normally, you don’t get the scope to fully watch your favorite shows in the middle of work. Also, by the time you return home, you get too tired. Nevertheless, this is your chance. Switch on the television and watch something with your family.
Do Chores
Use the free time in your hand to perform household chores. Usually, we see the mothers and daughters of the house taking up this crucial responsibility, but why should the men be left out? Pick up the mop and duster. Go ahead and clean your place up. Get into all those remote corners of the room that you have never even looked at before. Reorganize the furniture. Give your humble abode a refreshing new look.
Make a Garden
Gardening can be an extraordinarily soothing way of passing the time. Plants take time to grow and flourish, but when they do, they teach you so much about how delicate life is. Gardening has proven to have hugely positive effects on mental health. An added benefit of doing this is not having to shop for fruits and vegetables outside. After all, you are locked down. You can’t visit the marketplace for buying your cooking ingredients. So, rather grow them at home.
Plan for Future
Since you have more time in your hand, you can concentrate on drafting a course of action for your future. Our lives revolve around various aspects. We have a family to take care of. We have careers to build. We have our own dreams to fulfil. This is the perfect chance of working them all out through meticulous planning.
Try Art
Have you ever explored the artistic side of your personality before? This is the ideal occasion for that. Pick up a paint brush and go ahead. It is also a highly beneficial mental exercise because it helps you work on your precision and focus. There are so many things to take inspiration from. Maybe, try your hand at some glass painting too while you’re at it.
Detox
Enough of indulging in vices, let this lockdown be a detox phase. Rid your body of all the toxins. No smoking and no drinking because, after all, you can’t even if you want to. All the stores are closed. So, might as well use this as a way of benefiting yourself. Use this lockdown to quit your bad habits.
Conclusion
So, we told you about many different ways of using your time productively in the lockdown. However, we saved the best for last. Here it is. As we said earlier, this lockdown offers you the chance to spend some time with yourself. That is very important. So, use this time to write a letter to your future self. When you spend time with yourself, there are thoughts and ideas that you stumble upon which you would normally never even comprehend. Before you end up forgetting them, write them down as a letter for reminding yourself in the future. Make yourself promises. Make your memories immortal. Get a pen and a piece of paper. Then, write your heart out. You will cherish it when the time comes.
RAMEN & TSUKEMEN TAO Announces Opening of Second Orange County, CA Location
Tokyo-trained Chef Toshimasa Sano is Excited with the Resurgence of Restaurants and Tourism in Orange County
WHO: RAMEN & TSUKEMEN TAO restaurant
WHAT: Announces Grand Opening of Its Second Location. Date: April 12, 2021
WHERE: 2143 N Tustin St Ste 1, Orange, CA 92865
WHEN: Monday, April 12, 2021
Japanese Chef Toshimasa Sano opened his second ramen restaurant at 2143 N Tustin St Ste 1 in the City of Orange on Monday, April 12. Chef Sano was trained at the famed Tsujita ramen restaurant in Tokyo and opened his first restaurant RAMEN & TSUKEMEN TAO in Buena Park in August 2019, which the Orange County Register named second on the top 10 Japanese ramen restaurants in Orange County in 2020.
Chef Sano is especially excited to open this second location in Orange County, which can safely serve twice as many customers as the Buena Park location. A new menu will feature vegetarian ramen options as well as ramen dishes made with miso broth, the specialty of Tsujita, which has become an artisan ramen brand that was selected one of the best 10 ramen shops in Tokyo by the readers of Japan Times in 2019.
“Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji mold. It’s full of probiotics and linked to a variety of health benefits, including a stronger immune system,” Sano said. “I hope to serve this umami-packed miso-based ramen to residents of the City of Orange.”
The new location also has a bigger selection of appetizers and other dishes as well as alcoholic beverages.
Sano’s menu includes five kinds of ramen noodles: His signature miso-basedTsukemendipping noodle, White Miso Ramen, Red Miso Ramen, Vegetarian Ramen and Savory Chicken Ramen, along with toppings such as Pork Chashu (roasted pork), Soft-Boiled Eggs, Menma (marinated bamboo shoots), Bean Sprouts, Corn, and Spicy Tao (a spicy paste made with garlic and hot chilli paper).
Sano extended non-ramen and appetizer options at this Orange location. They include three types of rice bowls (Chashu, Spicy Tuna, and Takana vegetables), four types of Buns (Pork, Spicy Pork, Chicken and Spicy Chicken) and Japanese favorite Curry Rice. Among the appetizers are Chicken Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), Takoyaki, Agedashi Tofu, Gyoza, Shumai, Seaweed Salad and Tofu Salad. Also new is a Kids Plate.
Responding to numerous customer requests, Sano decided to include Vegetarian Ramen with miso broth and eggless noodles for vegan diners. Another addition to the menu is Savory Chicken Ramen made with chicken broth.
A native of Tokyo’s historical district called Asakusa, Sano moved to California in 2019 to manage the first Ramen & Tsukemen TAO location in Buena Park. He was trained in Tsujita by its founder for 10 years prior to his dream-come-true adventure of owning his own restaurant in the U.S.
The restaurant has 42 seats and will be open for indoor and outdoor dining Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. -9 p.m. The restaurant is complying with all local guidelines and precautions regarding Covid-19.
Maddie’s Cafe and Grill
Location: Garden Grove (basically in Orange)
Hotels opening in Orange, CA:
The Westin Anaheim Resort
When: August 2020
Location: Anaheim, CA
JW Marriot, Anaheim Resort
When: April 2020
Location: Anaheim, CA
Disneyland reopening: …and surrounding Anaheim area
Disneyland and California Adventure will reopen April 30, with ticket sales starting on April 15
Under new California theme park guidance issued March 5, 2021, Disneyland will be able to reopen if it has less than 7 new daily cases per 100,000 people and positive test rates of 8% maximum as of April 1. Disneyland’s Orange County is already sitting below these thresholds as of April 6.
What to know:
Under theme park guidance issued by the state on March 5, Disneyland is permitted to reopen if Orange County is in the red, or “substantial,” tier as of April 1.
Under the current orange tier, which the county entered at the end of March, the parks will have a maximum capacity of 25%.
Once the county reaches the yellow tier, there will be a 35% capacity as well as a 25% indoor capacity.
All tiers — red, orange and yellow — allow for only California visitors to Disneyland. However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced April 6 the state will remove the tier system June 15 but keep in place the mask mandate.
Currently, all dining and shopping locations in Downtown Disney are open!
Apart from locations in the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will reopen on April 29, 2021.
The Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel remain closed and will reopen at a later date.
Zoom Hit a Record High Quarterly Revenue of $882.5 Million, Almost a 370% Increase YoY
Zoom’s revenues skyrocketed last year as global demand for online meeting solutions soared amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Although the popular video conferencing platform generated impressive revenue through its fiscal year 2021, the year’s final quarter set a new record.
According to data presented by BuyShares, Zoom hit a record high quarterly revenue of $882.5 million in Q4 FY 2021, almost a 370% increase year-over-year.
Annual Revenue Soared by 700% in Two Years
Unlike many other sectors, the video conferencing platforms witnessed explosive growth amid the COVID-19 crisis, as millions of people started working from home. However, Zoom emerged as the most preferred platform for holding virtual meetings. As countries across the globe-imposed lockdowns, family members also turned to Zoom as a way of keeping in touch with each other. Museums, theatres, and schools chose the platform to maintain normal operations.
With the ban on social gatherings, Zoom also became a cultural phenomenon through hosting parties, concerts, church services, and art shows. The surge in the number of users led to a 700% revenue growth in two years.
In the fiscal year 2019, Zoom generated $330.5 million in revenue, revealed the company’s earnings report. Over the next twelve months, this figure jumped by more than 88% to $626.6 million. The two-digit increase was driven by a strong Q4 FY 2020, matching the period between January and March 2020, when the pandemic already struck. Zoom’s quarterly revenue jumped by 78% YoY in this three-month period and hit $188 million.
The strong increasing trend continued in the following months, with revenue rising to $328.1 million in the second quarter of the calendar year 2020. Statistics show this figure more than doubled in the next three-month period and hit $663.5 million.
However, the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2021, matching the period between January and March 2021, delivered the highest quarterly revenue in Zoom`s history, causing annual revenues to rise above the expectations to $2.65bn.
Almost 70% of that value, or $1.83bn, was generated in the Americas as the largest Zoom market. Users from the EMEA region, as the second-largest market, generated $486 million in revenue. Asia followed with $332.8 million, respectively.
Market Cap Soared by 357% Year-Over-Year
While the Zoom stock price has increased steadily throughout 2020, a positive announcement regarding the efficiency of a COVID-19 vaccine in November last year resulted in the price falling by more than 30% by the end of the year.
Since then, the share price has been fluctuating and in recent months saw even more of a downturn, reaching $328.95 last week.
In December 2020, the combined value of Zoom shares stood at $115.5bn, revealed the MacroTrends data. Over the last four months, this figure dropped to $96.6bn, still a 357% increase year-over-year.
GKN AUTOMOTIVE APPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT OFCHINA BUSINESS
GKN Automotive signals its ambitions for growth in China with new leader of China business
Asia Pacific and China automotive expert Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu announced as new President GKN Automotive China
GKN Automotive is the global leader in Automotive drive systems and the supplier of choice for 90% of global car manufacturers
GKN Automotive, the global leader in drive systems, has announced Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu as the new President GKN Automotive China, effective from 1 May.
Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu, who will be reporting directly to GKN Automotive CEO Liam Butterworth and based in Shanghai, is joining from Thyssenkrupp Automotive where he was CEO of its Asia Pacific region and in charge of its China business division. This follows an extensive career in the automotive industry including four years serving as President Dayco China.
Liam Butterworth, CEO GKN Automotive “China is a critically important market for us, and Charlie is joining GKN Automotive at the perfect time. He will be leading our ambitious strategy to continue growing our business in the world’s largest car market.
“Our advanced e-powertrain technologies make us perfectly placed to take advantage of China’s growing appetite for electrified vehicles. We are also intent on boosting our world-leading Driveline business, working with our joint-venture partner HASCO. Charlie has the experience and leadership to help us achieve those goals and I look forward to working closely with him.”
Shaoling (Charlie) Qiu“I am honored to be joining GKN Automotive, working with Liam and the rest of his leadership team. It is a world-leading business, with a tremendous history of innovation and an impeccable reputation with global car manufacturers. With GKN Automotive’s advanced technologies and unrivalled ability to collaborate with car makers, we have a terrific opportunity to rapidly expand in China. It will be an exciting challenge.”
