Snow Queen Vodka event @ Canvas Lounge, Knutsford

FULL SWING: Snow Queen Vodka

By Dean Wilkins

A thrilling affair of exciting cocktails, music and prizes brightened up sleepy Knutsford’s night when MM’s own Drinks Enthusiast delivered Snow Queen Vodka last week.

Located at Canvas Lounge, the newly re-furbished two floor bar strikes a cord with the crowd, bringing a mix of elegance, sophistication and a sense of class – perfect for vodka that prides itself on luxury.

The drinks were in full swing with revellers enjoying a range of cocktails – the boisterous Strawberry Caipiroska (a mix of Snow Queen, St. Germaine elderflower liqueur and fresh strawberries over crushed ice) to the delicate Cherry Park Martini (Snow Queen and cherry puree topped with Champagne).

The night’s host Dave Marsland provided a sneak peek into why Snow Queen Vodka was chosen by him to be the first brand showcased at Canvas Lounge as part of their monthly brand nights.

He announced: “Canvas Lounge is all about the atmosphere and gives you that feel of a place that is sometimes lacking in bars.

“The décor strikes you as modern, yet an almost back-to-basics Victorian style to it.

“This is what Snow Queen represents in its own right. Modern vodka created in Kazakhstan, which tips its hat towards the direction of the vodka history, but ultimately goes its own way with its organic roots”.

Whilst mixing his way through the next batch of cocktails (a round of The Apple Queen – Snow Queen, apple juice and cinnamon topped with soda and cinnamon dust), Dave invitingly described how Snow Queen achieved listings in some of London’s prestigious bars. 

Snow Queen Vodka is a part of the new revolution of organic spirits.

It uses organic wheat, charcoal from the birch trees of the Kazakh forests and sand-filtered artesian spring water and is produced in one of only three distilleries located in Kazakhstan where it is distilled five times.

Launched in London in 2004 and Chicago and Washington DC in 2006, it has been part of the backbone of many a back-bar including Harrods and The Dorchester.

It’s also won three gold medals at recent competitions as well as ‘Best Overall Vodka’ by Imbibe in 2007.

“Hopefully the night has opened the eyes of not only vodka drinkers, but to customers who enjoy something a little different,” said Dave.

And with the last drink of the night – a Midas Queen (Snow Queen, Martini Rosso and Angostura Bitters stirred and poured into a Martini glass) getting a rather tipsy thumbs up from all, but particularly the male crowd which this recipe aims is tailored to, our Drinks Enthusiast certainly started with a winner.

For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.