MEXICO CITY, August 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Ketel One Vodka maps the Bloody Marys enjoyed around the world  

Brunch is booming: the Brits spend £76m every day on it, the number of Canadians searching for it online has increased by an impressive 234% from last year, and it's still growing. It's not just a British or Canadian phenomenon either. Increases in search traffic from locations including Malaysia, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, UAE, US and in many counties across Europe, suggest we're all becoming brunch aficionados. What do all these countries have in common? The drink of choice at any good brunch, the classic Bloody Mary. The King of Brunch is one of the best-selling cocktails in the world and the perfect partner to Ketel One Vodka.

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/547255/Ketel_One_Vodka_Bloody_Mary.jpg )

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/548514/Ketel_One_Bloody_Marys_around_the_world.jpg )

This week, at the World Class Bartender of the Year final, 55 elite bartenders from the four corners of the globe each created their own variation of the classic Bloody Mary. With thousands of different ingredients and garnishes on display the results were spectacular, but despite their differences each shared one important unifying factor, the bartender's favourite vodka: Ketel One^[1] .

Some of the more unusual global serves included the Brazilian Mary, a delicious twist on this well-loved classic featuring spicy pink peppercorns, fennel seeds and horseradish alongside carrot juice, creating a vibrant orange cocktail.

The Australian Mary was an unusual blend of Ketel One Vodka, tomato juice, hot sauce, balsamic vinegar and pale ale. The result: an exciting variation on the classic.

In a nod to the Dutch heritage of the vodka brand, the bright orange Carrot Mary was served featuring carrot, apple & pear juice plus freshly squeeze orange, tamarind and ginger paste.

Guests at the finals were even treated to a Mexican Mary in celebration of the competition's host country. Created by leading Mexican bartender, Ricardo Sandoval, the Mexican Mary comprised of fresh red pepper, Chile chipotle and a jalapeño garnish alongside Ketel One Vodka.

Bob Nolet, the 11th generation of the Nolet family distillery, whose father Carolus Nolet Sr., created Ketel One Vodka at their family distillery, said: "We love World Class because it never fails to inspire us when we see the world's bartenders using Ketel One as the main ingredient in their cocktails. Every year we host hundreds of bartenders from all over the world to help them discover the heritage and dedication that goes into creating Ketel One.

"We believe that a cocktail is only as good as its weakest ingredient and as the perfect base for a classic Bloody Mary, it has been a pleasure to see elite bartenders here in Mexico showcase some very unique serves all using the best vodka, Ketel One.

"Brunch enjoyed with a classic Bloody Mary has always been our family favourite. The fact that its popularity is growing worldwide is no surprise to me. This week has shown that with the right ingredients, it is easy for people to put their own twist on a classic and we're delighted that our family made vodka is at the heart of this occasion."

Ketel One Vodka is inspired by over 325 years of traditional distilling expertise, which has been passed from father to son for over 11 generations in the Nolet family - all driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a quest for perfection.

Notes to editors

^[1] Drinks International Bars Report 2017

ABOUT KETEL ONE VODKA 

Ketel One Vodka is a truly exceptional super-premium vodka and is made by the Nolet distilling family. The Nolets have been in the business of crafting fine spirits in Holland for over 325 years and go back 11 generations.  Their skills and knowledge have been passed down through their family since 1691 and it is this heritage in distilling which has influenced how Ketel One Vodka is distilled. The Ketel One brand is built on one-to-one conversations with the bartending community. 

Ketel One Vodka was first launched in the 1980s by Carolus Nolet Sr who used the family's expertise in fine spirits to craft a smooth, crisp vodka with a long finish that was perfect for the finest of cocktails. It is now available in over 80 countries around the world and has been recognised by the Drinks International Bar Report as the Best Selling and Most Trending vodka for five consecutive years.

Ketel One Vodka is a blend of old and new: combining old world pot still craft used by the Nolet ancestors, with modern column still techniques.  The 19^th century coal-fired pot still, Pot Still Number 1, known in Dutch as Distilleerketel No.1, inspired the Ketel One name and is involved in crafting every batch of Vodka.

Ketel One Vodka is produced exclusively in the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam, Holland and every batch is personally tasted and approved by a member of the Nolet family to ensure it meets their exacting quality standards - that's the Ketel One Way.

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ABOUT DIAGEO 

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff and Cîroc vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com , for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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SOURCE Ketel One Vodka