Oh what a night! Mid September at Ink48 (653 11th Avenue, NYC), all the lovely guests drinking VuQo Premium Vodka while being mesmerized by the stunning Mid-Town Manhattan Skyline made for a very successful and well attended launch! I’ve got to say, although there weren’t any stars in the sky that night, the nebulous clouds made for a very interesting photo session. There was a steady breeze on the rooftop and the energy from the crowd was riveting.

A perfect evening in a magnificent rooftop. Perfect venue to launch VuQo Premium Vodka

VuQo Premium Vodka, NYC Launch

Right after we signed in, the bouncer lead us to the elevator and took us to the rooftop bar. As we  step out of the elevator, we were welcomed by an intense energy from the music, lights and entertainment juxtaposed the breathtaking Manhattan skyline. The view was outstanding from every corner. From the beautifully lit Empire State Building to our East,  to The Intrepid on the West. There was no shortage of sights to see. There was a magnificently lit 20 foot pool that made it seem that the roof deck went on for miles. No one, thankfully fell in the pool (well, at least not while I was there). There was lounge seating in every corner, so there was a place to park yourself either to chat away with friends, make new friends or just sit after drinking and dancing the night away.

We walked around, searched out the VuQo CEO and Founder, Rich Cabael, and his lovely wife, Susan. We spoke briefly with Rich about the origin of VuQo and what it took for him to launch it in the US. He mentioned that he had  been working on the process since 2006 and followed the tough US standards to get the product launched in the US.  Finally, after 5 years of perseverance, he had a product that was deliciously smooth and now being widely acclaimed in many cities where VuQo is now in distribution.

Clout & About's Treena Chirico with VuQo Chairman, Rich Cabael

VuQo is made from the sweet nectar of the coconut flower and comes from Philippine coconut trees, the best in the world owing to the county’s nutrient-rich volcanic soil and tropical climate. The sweet coconut is extracted and fermented then sent through a series of carbon filters. The end product is an exceptional vodka that is smooth and clear.

While walking around the rooftop, we spotted a large VuQo ice sculpture. The bar tender was pouring VuQo from the peak of the sculpture which drained down the side and guests were catching a drink from it. The DJ, lights and dancers got the crowd engaged through the night.

VuQo Ice Sculpture at the NYC Launch

We headed to the bar and tried 3 uniquely tasting VuQo drinks.

The first was Kiss NY. This is a blend of Premium VuQo Vodka with Chambord, Lime Juice, Prosecco Float, shaken and served up. I could have had this all night as it was so light and tasted so much like a fruit punch. I would have gotten closer to nirvana had I not had a little voice in my head saying, “40 proof, 40 proof“. I had to slow down as I was covering the evening and could not forget the photos I needed to take..so, sip slowly and take my time.

Just as I thought Kiss NY is my drink of choice, my husband ordered another drink. This time, it was Southeast Asiatini. This is a blend of Premium VuQo with Triple Sec and Sour Mix, shaken and served up. This was also so yummy and tasted like a limeade with a shot of VuQo. Southeast Asiatini could have also gotten me in trouble. The lightness of VuQo almost made me forget that it is 40 proof!  Thank God for that little voice in my head and my 6 foot husband reminding me to sip slowly.

And if that wasn’t enough, they served me a VuQo Island. Now THIS is my all time favorite. Not only did it have a very tropical, silky smooth taste, but as I sipped it, I was reminded of being in the beach in Boracay Island, Philippines, hanging out on the sand, getting a manicure and a massage on the beach, while sipping an ice cold tropical drink with a blend of Premium VuQo Vodka, coconut milk, pineapple juice and lime, served on the rocks! I almost gulped it down. Again that little voice…sip s l o w l yyyyyy…

Slowly...Treena!!

It wasn’t quite over yet. My husband ordered VuQo on the rocks and VuQo straight up, which I truly enjoyed. If you aren’t able to enjoy vodka at it’s purest state, why have it? I don’t drink nor do I sip vodka as I have not found one that I can tolerate. However, after tasting VuQo on it’s own and in many different forms, I’ve been transformed. Does this mean that I will drink all the time? Heck no! This simply means that VuQo will now be part of my bar selection for family and friends during parties and get togethers.

Good hard work plus the finest quality product.  Those are the amazing folks behind VuQo.  

You can buy VuQo at Adriatic Wine & Liquor (Hells Kitchen area- 714 10th Avenue -49th & 10th – 212.581.2918).  Across the USA, they are now available HERE.

Editor’s Note:  VuQo is being distributed in many American cities and creating a buzz where they go.  They’ll be serving up Emmy Award celebrities in Los Angeles this coming week,  on Thursday at the L’Hermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

 Our favorite recipe for VuQo is with lychees as follows, Enjoy!

?1 oz. VuQo Premium Vodka
2 oz. lychee syrup
1/2 oz. Amaretto
1 lychee

Combine lychee syrup and
Amaretto in a cocktail shaker.
Add VuQo and ice.
Shake well and pour over
lychee in a martini glass.