Gorillaz partners with Smirnoff

English band Gorillaz has teamed up with Diageo-owned Smirnoff vodka to create a limited edition bottle and four cocktail recipes.

Gorlliaz is a ‘virtual band’, created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett.

Four of the fictional Gorillaz band members –Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, ‘2D’ and Noodle – have created their own cocktail recipes with the Smirnoff No.21 bottling.

The cocktails comprise 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 27 October.

Niccals said: “Nothing to see here folks – just the OG vodka brand teaming up with the OG virtual band. Cheers Smirnoff – pleasure doing business with you. I’m not usually one for labels, but this is a beauty.”

The collaboration is intended to demonstrate the ‘endless possibilities’ that come from ‘embracing the power of distinctiveness’.

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.

The brand partnered with Ty Dolla $ign earlier this year to debut its Lemonade Collection.

To mark the collaboration, the partners also produced a spot to go with the campaign, which can be viewed on Youtube.

See below for the recipes.


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.

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Author: Alice Brooker