Gorillaz has teamed up with Smirnoff vodka to create four cocktail recipes. The drinks were made as part of the partnership between the virtual band and the Diageo-owned brand, which finds the two releasing a limited-edition bottle.
Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz is made up of four fictional members, Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, ‘2D’, and Noodle. For the partnership, each band member created their own cocktail recipes with the Smirnoff No.21 bottling.The drinks include the Vodka Murdini, the Smirnoff Brooklyn, the Vodka Eyeball, and the Sayonara Martini.
As part of the collaboration, the band has designed a limited edition Smirnoff No. 21 bottle, which will be available to buy on Amazon from October 27.
“Nothing to see here folks – just the OG vodka brand teaming up with the OG virtual band,” said Niccals. “Cheers Smirnoff – pleasure doing business with you. I’m not usually one for labels, but this is a beauty.”
Mark Jarman, head of Smirnoff GB, commented: “Smirnoff is built on the spirit of originality and individuality in all forms. Gorillaz are true originals who dare to push the boundaries in everything they do. We are thrilled to be working with the band to continue creating originality and disrupting the creativity of cocktails.”
The partnership will also lead to a yet-to-be-revealed experience later in the year.
Check out the cocktail recipes below:
Vodka Murdini
Murdoc Niccals is known by Gorillaz’s fanbase as ‘pickle’, so this recipe includes one for garnish.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Smirnoff No.21 Vodka
- 15ml Belsazar Dry Vermouth
- 10ml Olive brine
- Dash of saline optional
- Pickles (to garnish)
Method:
Fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Measure Smirnoff vodka, vermouth and brine in a jigger and pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake until cold. Double strain into a cold martini glass. Garnish with pickles.
Smirnoff Brooklyn
This serve is named after Russel Hobbs, who is from Brooklyn.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Smirnoff No.21 Vodka
- 25ml Sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Chilli slices
- Whole large red chilli
Method:
Measure both Smirnoff vodka and vermouth in a jigger and pour cocktail ingredients into mixing glass with ice. Add two dashes of Angostura Bitters and 2-3 slices of chilli. Stir down until cold. Strain into a cold martini glass. Garnish with whole chilli.
Vodka Eyeball
This cocktail is aptly dedicated to band member 2D, who has a pair of eyes that change from black to white.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Smirnoff No.21 Vodka
- Soda water
- Fresh lemon juice – squeezed from a large wedge
- Eyeball gummies (optional)
Method:
Fill a long glass with ice. Measure Smirnoff vodka in a jigger and add to the glass. Top with soda water. Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir. Garnish with eyeball gummies.
Sayonara Martini
Noodle’s Sayonara Martini is ‘completed’ with a delicate touch of vanilla.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Smirnoff No.21 Vodka
- 25ml Yuzu sake
- 15ml Vanilla syrup
- 35ml Passion fruit puree
- Half passion fruit to garnish
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Measure Smirnoff vodka and other cocktail ingredients in a jigger. Pour into a cocktail shaker and shake until cold. Double strain into a cold martini glass. Garnish with half of a passion fruit.
For more information, head over to Smirnoff’s official website.