Wes Smoot 6/29/22 Wes Smoot 6/29/22

Andy Cohen’s Pride Party with MUJEN and DE-NADA at The Skylark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Andy Cohen attends the celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, June 23, 2022—The Skylark, Midtown West’s elevated bar and lounge with New York City’s most breathtaking 30th-floor views, today announces its PRIDE Day Celebration on Sunday, June 26, 2022 (4pm-9pm), hosted by Andy Cohen.

The invitation-only gala event includes an open bar servingspecialty cocktails by Master Mixologist Johnny Swet, featuring DE-NADA Additive-Free Tequila and MUJEN Spirits – a new premium line of Japanese shochu introduced to the marketplace this year; passed bar bites by premier caterer Abigail Kirsch; DJ Timothy Lucent spinning tunes; as well as exclusive merchandise by Bloomingdale’s.

Located in Manhattan’s historic Garment District, The Skylark is the brainchild of hospitality veteran David Rabin and premier catering and hospitality group Abigail Kirsch. It is an all-season, multi-level indoor/outdoor destination for sophisticated cocktails during the week and private events on weekends.

“PRIDE is something very close to our hearts here at The Skylark, and we can see this becoming an annual celebration and the premier post-PRIDE Parade event,” says Anthony Simone, General Manager, The Skylark. “We are making sure to pull out all the stops to make this the most epic PRIDE event in New York City, and one that benefits a very worthy cause.”

All proceeds from the joyous, high-energy PRIDE Day Celebration, which includes a silent auction, will benefit The Ali Forney Center in New York, which protects LGBTQ youth from homelessness. In addition, until the end of July at The Skylark, a portion of proceeds from cocktails made with DE-NADA Tequila and MUJEN Spirits will benefit the organization.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: DE-NADA Tequila is served at Andy Cohen's celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

The Skylark’s PRIDE cocktails include:

De’Perfect Paloma

2 oz DE-NADA Blanco Tequila

1.5 oz grapefruit juice

0.5 oz lime juice

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain into a highball glass over ice and stir in grapefruit soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge sprinkled with salt.

Tokyo Lemonade

2 oz MUJEN Original or MUJEN Ai

1 oz lemon juice

0.75 oz simple syrup (3 parts sugar, 2 parts water)

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain into a Collins glass over ice and stir in 3 oz of soda water. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Just the Prick Margarita

1 oz MUJEN Original or MUJEN Ai

1 oz DE-NADA Blanco Tequila

2 oz prickly pear purée

0.75 oz lime juice

0.5 oz orange juice

0.5 oz agave nectar

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine all ingredients and shake until cold. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Andy Cohen (R) attends the celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Anthony Simone, Angel Au and guests attend Andy Cohen's celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Andy Cohen attends celeb-filled Pride Day celebration with MUJEN SPIRITS and DE-NADA TEQUILA at The Skylark on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Wes Smoot 5/6/20 Wes Smoot 5/6/20

Product Review - TOM OF FINLAND ORGANIC VODKA

May 7, 2020

Dallas, TX

Most of us are familiar with Tom of Finland, (Touko Laaksonsen) the Finnish artist and gay icon known for his homoerotic artwork. He created images of hyper-masculine bikers, sailors, and cowboys that are just as relevant today as ever. Want proof? Just stop by The Eagle on leather night and take a peek. Hell, you might even be one of them (DM me pics if so).

Tom of Finland’s name has been used to sell not only his artwork but everything from apparel to sex toys. It has been the inspiration for a feature biographical film (Tom of Finland) as well as the inspiration for many gay porn films. There is even a Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles, created to preserve erotic art and advocate tolerance towards sexuality.

While shopping at my local liquor store in the gayborhood (Cedar Springs in Dallas, TX), I spot something with a very familiar name. Was it Tom of Finland? Yes! Was it a sex toy? No! It was Tom of Finland Organic Vodka. I was immediately intrigued. The bottle was equipped with the iconic artwork you would expect from the Tom of Finland brand. It included a masculine male profile rocking a leather hat, leather jacket, and a thick mustache. The bottle read: Distilled from Organic Grain (Rye and wheat to be exact). I took out my phone and with a quick google search I found this vodka is distilled using pure arctic water and made with no sugar. Sounds impressive, I thought. I went in deeper.

Tom of Finland Organic Vodka is the brainchild of One Eyed Spirits, a progressive Finnish company made up of ex ad creatives who aim to nurture brand ideas and find ways to bring them to life. Not a bad mission statement. After all, these are the same guys who brought us Ron de Jeremy Rum (yes, pornstar Ron Jeremy has his own rum).

I proceeded to check out and even with paying considerably more than I normally do for my Tito’s Handmade Vodka, I was excited to get home and give it a try. I typically put a half ounce in a shot glass for a quick taste if I’m trying a new spirit. I do this to appreciate the quality (or lack there of) even though I plan on mixing it later with Topo Chico or club soda later. What did I learn?

I can honestly say this is one of the best vodkas I’ve ever tried. I am not much of a martini drinker but after that sample the martini glasses came out. I put two ounces of Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, a bit of dry vermouth, and some ice in a shaker. I did a cute dance (seriously adorable) and poured what is now one of my favorite drinks in my fanciest martini glass.

Vodka and martini drinkers, I highly encourage you to give this one a try. While it’s not the most available product yet, you can request your local liquor store to order it from their distributor. You can also take it upon yourself to do a little cruising. I promise you this, he’s worth finding.

Wesley Smoot