Kanon Organic Vodka

FÖK: Chrissie Miller

Chrissie Miller isn’t just a DJ, she’s a designer to boot. You can catch her line of downtown cool pieces, SOPHOMORE, at boutiques across the country, and check out her DJ sets at some of the best parties around.

FÖK posts by Chrissie Miller

November 21, 2011
Drink to the Elements: 4 Cocktails Inspired by AstrologyZone's Susan Miller
FIRE
One of our favorite challenges is creating organic cocktails for all of our fun events. It takes a lot of research, experimentation, and taste-testing (the best part of the job, clearly). Case in point: for our dinner to celebrate the opening of Chrissie Miller's 143 Ludlow at Pulqueria Friday night, we knew we had to do something special. The new store is already one of our favorite shopping destinations, and let's be honest – there are few families cooler than the Millers.

Since we were so excited to hear that Chrissie's mom, Susan (the guru behind AstrologyZone) would be there to fête her daughter alongside us, we created cocktails based on the elements as an homage to Susan's astrology know-how. The results? Four delicious cocktails perfect for everyone, regardless of your star sign. Be sure to try them out at home; it's pretty much written in the stars that you'll enjoy.

FIRE
2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka
1 oz Spicy Watermelon Puree*
1/2 oz agave
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz pulque

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with watermelon slice.

*Spicy Watermelon Puree
Blend together:
2 quarts of fresh watermelon
5 epazote leafs
2 wheels of habanero pepper

AIR
2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka
1 oz Spicy Cucumber Puree*
1/2 oz agave nectar
1/2 oz lime juice
Splash of orange liqueur

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with cucumber wheel.

*Spicy Cucumber Puree
Blend together: 1 Israeli cucumber
1/2 jalapeno pepper (cut long ways)

WATER
2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka
1 oz St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Club soda
Candied ginger

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake and pour contents into a glass filled with crushed ice. Top with club soda and garnish with candied ginger.

EARTH
1 1/2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka
1 oz Raspberry and Blackberry Puree*
1/4 oz agave nectar
Champagne

Pour all ingredients into a shaker, shake and pour contents into a champagne flute. Top with champagne, and garnish with edible rose buds.

*Raspberry and Blackberry Puree
Blend together:
5 raspberries
5 blackberries
1 oz of agave nectar
1 oz lime juice

Photos by Harry Beee
November 21, 2011
FOK Chrissie Miller Opens Up New NYC Store - 143 Ludlow
Chrissie Miller
One of the best parts about New York is that there's always something new and exciting happening. And because we work with an arsenal of such talented friends and FOKs, there's usually plenty of opportunity to raise a glass because of a job well done by someone we love. So it goes without saying that when Chrissie Miller told us about her new venture, a store called 143 Ludlow (located at the same address) and meaning "I love you" in pager code, well, there really wasn't much to say no to. Opened in conjunction with fellow designer Lindsey Thornburg, the Lower East Side spot has all sorts of cool wares from the twosome, and if the opening crowd was any indication of how hot this spot will be (think model Jessica Stam, Cory Kennedy, Drea de Matteo, Charlotte Ronson) - count us in for several visits.

Since we hate cutting a good party short, the guest list from the store opening migrated over to Pulqueria, the newest spot from our friends at Apotheke, for dinner. Amongst the guests: Derek Blasberg, Jenn Brill, Shooter Jennings, and the woman who makes us look forward to the 1st of the month twelve times a year – Chrissie's mom Susan Miller of AstrologyZone. Since our FOKs are like our own family, we wanted to capture the Miller's vibe and created astrology-themed cocktails based on the elements (i.e. fire, water) to accompany a delicious dinner that included assortments of tacos, empanadas and an abundance of guacamole. With cocktails flowing, the dinner turned into a big game of musical chairs with everyone switching seats, trading shop talk, and toasting to 143 Ludlow. Here's a look at the awesome night through photos and be sure to stop by the store for your own dose of Miller cool.

Photos courtesy of BFANYC.com
August 10, 2011
Enjoying Arts & Leisure with Chrissie Miller & The Beastie Boys' Mike D
Chrissie Miller (left)
Being a bit new to the LA scene, we were especially psyched when FOK Chrissie Miller decided to bring all our New York friends out west. She's officially taken over Los Angeles with her pop-up shop concept Arts & Leisure, which brings together all sorts of wares from New York-based artists and designers under one roof–and she's taken us along for the ride. Home is where the heart is, eh?

Things kicked off last Saturday with Mike D from the Beastie Boys who hosted a screening of his music videos. Seeing one of our favorite musicians in person with great tunes blasting from the speakers was surreal, to say the least.

Luckily for us, the party don't stop. Chrissie's pop-up endeavor will be continuing through the month (check out the full schedule here), with new artists and brands featured throughout August. Check out our interview with Chrissie below for some of her fave spots in LA–and don't forget to click through all our photos from the opening night above. Cheers!

Kanon Vodka: How did the concept for the pop-up shop come about?

Chrissie Miller: I wanted to spend some time in LA for the summer, so my friend Erin and I came up with this idea to do a giant sale with all of our friends' clothes and art. We then came up with the theme to keep it "locals only"–all of our New York friends.

KV: You’re teaming up with some really talented and amazing people for the pop-up shop; who are you most excited to partner and work with?

CM: I was really excited about everyone involved! We got amazing brands and art!

KV: We love that you get to work with your mom Susan Miller on this event. What’s the best advice she’s ever given you, astrology-wise?

CM: My mom gives me advice on a daily basis (not kidding). But my favorite story is at Easter dinner two years ago, she told me I would meet "the one" really soon and two weeks later I did!

KV: We’re used to seeing you in New York, but what are your favorite spots in Los Angeles we must check out while we’re there?

CM: Food - Joan's on Third for lunch and Katsuya on 3rd Street. Shopping- Scout, Opening Ceremony and Filthmart. Clubbing- Spare Room and Paul & Andre's.

KV: What do you have planned for the rest of the summer?

CM: Just to be in LA working at the store!

Check out even more pictures from the night HERE!
August 5, 2011
Check out Chrissie Miller's LA Pop-Up Shop!
Chrissie Miller
Oh California, we might not have been here for very long, but we really feel like you get us. In a weird way, it’s like you want us to get acclimated as easily as possible to your sunny disposition. Like having us over for drinks at the Mondrian with NYLON or the crazy Kanon concoctions we had at Comic-Con- we’ve started to get the feel for this place and let’s just say- it’s awesome. Better yet, because it’s so awesome here, people are always coming to visit.

Case in point- we get to spend the month with FOK Chrissie Miller at a pop-up shop called Arts & Leisure she’s helping put on featuring all sorts of New York talent. Bringing New York to California? An amazing idea if you ask us. Chrissie will be joined by a range of NY artists and designers (think Charlotte Ronson, FOK Pamela Love, Vena Cava), as well as musicians and DJs to bring a little east coast flavor to the west. Chrissie is even bringing her mom, Susan Miller, to read astrology charts (seriously, is there a cooler family than the Millers?).

Check out the schedule here and make sure you stop by!

Arts & Leisure: Space 15 Twenty 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles

Schedule:

AUG 6th- OPENING: Mike D (Beastie Boys) hosts a screening of his music videos outdoors with DJ Frankie Inglese

AUG 12th- Liz From OBESITY & SPEED hosts with DJs Greg Krelenstein and Paul Sevigny, plus astrologer Susan Miller gives chart readings

AUG 18th- Albert Hammond DJ (The Strokes) with a performance by Adam Green & Binki Shapiro

AUG 28th- CLOSING: Aron Bonderoff hosts with DJ Leo Fitzpatrick and Oh Wow
March 18, 2011
Truth or Dare: A Film By Cass Bird For Chrissie Miller's Sophomore
It was perhaps the very same parties at which we first discovered the joys of vodka that we were also introduced to the age-old game of Truth or Dare. But while our consumption of vodka has remained consistent, we’ll be honest– it’s been quite some time since we had to choose between those two words.

We’re more than happy to be reminded of one of our favorite party games growing up, though, and our longtime FOK, designer Chrissie Miller, has provided us with the perfect way to do just that. She’s created a video lookbook for her latest Sophomore collection, along with filmmaker Cass Bird, that explores the game with some new players. Actress Chloe Sevigny, Jen Brill, and another Kanon FOK, Lesley Arfin, all take part in revealing their secret fears and lusts, and there’s even a girl-on-girl kiss thrown into the mix. But we can’t tell you who it’s between– you’ll just have to watch for yourself to find out.
August 11, 2010
Kanon Mixology: Recipes from Sophomore Cocktails in Montauk

The Memory Motel in Montauk has seen its fair share of good times. The Rolling Stones partied there during their stays at Andy Warhol’s nearby house and loved it so much they named a song after it. Needless to say, the Memory has seen broken beer bottles, strewn cigarettes, and just a couple of broken pool cues and bad cover bands.

This summer, Cynthia Rowley has opened a pop-up shop with some of her favorite folks just adjacent to the historic hotel and is throwing parties that have quite honestly cleaned the joint up a bit. FOK (Friend of Kanon) Chrissie Miller was the designer du jour this past weekend, celebrating her line Sophomore and it’s popping up in the aforementioned pop up. We couldn’t sit by idly and let our dear friends guzzle warm, flat beer. Not our style. Instead, Stefanie Marco whipped up a summery cocktail that’s part tropics (passionfruit) and part Cape Cod (ginger beer). Success.

Passionfruit Punch

2 oz Kanon Organic Vodka

1 oz passionfruit juice

Ginger beer

Basil leaves

Mix vodka and passionfruit juice together. Top with ginger beer and garnish with basil leaves.
July 4, 2010
Happy July 4th
Wow. Yes, wow. How are we even constructing sentences right now. Yuck, that rhymed. But anyway, our party is well under way in Southampton. We braved taxis, boats, and helicopters to get here and it was well worth it. The cocktails are flowing, the fireworks are exploding, and the tattoos are, uh, inking? Bottom line is that The Americans killed it on our stage/deck and Chrissie Miller is DJing like her life depends on it. It rules, we’re having fun and we’re gonna leave now and continue having fun. More later.

Photos by Harry Beee.