Kanon Organic Vodka: Posts tagged midsummer

December 30, 2011
Top 10 Kanon Moments of 2011
Coachella 2011
As 2011 comes to a close, we're taking this Friday afternoon to reflect on how truly amazing this past year has been. Just a couple of years ago, we were a new brand on the U.S. turf and no one but the Swedes could differentiate between what a Kanon Vodka and a Canon camera was. Fast forward to, well, now – and we're hopeful that you've at least heard our name, or better yet tasted our smooth flavor. What a journey it's been. If there's one resolution we have for the new year, it's this: that you (whomever and wherever you may be) will get to enjoy Kanon this year. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Before we officially ring in 2012 with a Twinkle cocktail in hand, take a journey back with us through our top 10 memories of 2011.

1. We Hosted the First Blogger Livestream
For the AW 2011 Fashion Week season, we were determined to top ourselves yet again, and that we did. To prove that we're not only knowledgeable about vodka (we're tech savvy too!) we hosted the first ever blogger livestream on Kanonvodka.com with the one and only Bryanboy. From shows to fashion parties to hotel rooms and beyond, we followed the outspoken blogger through it all and let you ask him questions along the way. Take a look back to relive some of the highlights.

2. We Starred In a Music Video
If you follow Swedish songstress Lykke Li, you probably remember the release of her "Sadness Is a Blessing" video back in April of this year. But what you might not remember is that the vodka she was downing shots of in between dance moves? Yeah, that was us. Us Swedes stick together through sadness AND happiness.

3. We Brought Midsummer Across the Atlantic
Until this past year, most of you would probably assume that the term "Midsummer" was referring to the mid-point of the summer season – not so. In actuality, it's our favorite Swedish holiday, and we were thrilled to bring the festivities to the States this year. With parties in both New York and LA, we DIYed floral crowns, danced around the maypole, and clinked cocktail glasses with friends well into the night. A success indeed.

CONTINUE READING TOP 10 KANON MOMENTS OF 2011 .
July 22, 2011
Diana Miller's Favorite Swedish Jams!

Now that Midsummer has come and gone, we are desperate to relive our favorite holiday however we can. We tried to extend said desire by launching an awesome Midsummer contest on our Facebook page which just ended yesterday (winners to be announced soon!), but now that it’s over, we’re grasping at straws. Since time travel isn't an option, (um it's 2011–we could have sworn we'd be living like the Jetsons by now…) we'll have to resort to other means. Luckily, Diana Miller of I Listen To Everything made us a little playlist to fall back on whenever we start to feel a little homesick. Full of Swedes and sweet tunes, we’ll be taking this playlist into the weekend and beyond.

So sit back, relax and enjoy some of our favorite Swedes rocking out. Happy Friday!

"White Nights" by Oh Land
"Never Ever" by Shout Out Louds
"When I Grow Up" by Fever Ray
"Main Offender" by The Hives
"Punkrockers" by Teddybears
"Bachelor Kisses" by The Radio Dept.
"Black and Blue" by Miike Snow
"Dancing On My Own" by Robyn
"Get Some" by Lykke Li
"Heartbeats" by The Knife
FÖK: Diana Miller
Talk about good genes. Daughter to astrologer Susan Miller and sister of fellow FOK Chrissie, Diana Miller has paved her own way in the music scene over the last decade with her blog “I Listen To Everything” and a long-time... more
July 11, 2011
10 Days Left To Enter Our Midsummer Contest!

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re feeling generous this month. Maybe it’s because we’re in a perma-great mood post-Midsummer (seriously, best time ever)–or it could just be the general feeling of zen our organic goodness gives us. When we say generous, we're talking about the amazing prizes we're giving away in our on-going Facebook contest. Seriously, we can't even believe how good they are. The best part is, we’re making it so easy, that you could feasibly multi-task over happy hour or work and still enter.

To enter, head over to our Facebook page HERE and “like” us. On our “Win Midsummer“ tab you’ll see we’ve teamed up with a few of our favorite bloggers like Honestly WTF , Because I’m Addicted, The Glamourai, TV Carnage and Diana Miller of I Listen to Everything —and asked them what Midsummer means to them. Choose your favorite tradition from our blogger list, and share it with a few friends to be entered to win. The more you share your pick, the more your chances of winning increase. This is where it comes in handy to have a bevy of high school friends you don’t talk to anymore.

What are the prizes you ask? Oh, you know, just some amazing jewelry from FOK Pamela Love, an Elie Tahari dress, an iPad…should we continue or have we convinced you enough? Head on over to Facebook and join in on the fun. It’s Monday, after all, and if anything is keeping us going it’s the thought of happy hour and winning some unbelievable prizes. Contest ends July 20th so you have a week and a half to get your clicking and sharing on. Good luck!
July 5, 2011
Enter our Midsummer Facebook Contest!
Make a DIY flower crown with Honestly WTF
Happy Midsummer! It seems like only yesterday that we had triple and double digit days as our countdown to Midsummer. Well, we're happy to say that those times have come and gone. It's officially the best day of the year, in our humble opinions. But because we love Midsummer so much, we’re not limiting the fun to today. What kind of a responsible vodka would we be if we didn’t guarantee a continued good time? That's why we're holding a contest so major, that we wish we could enter to win--and we're going to be running it for a whole month.

Here’s what you have to do. First, head over to our Facebook page and “like” us. Midsummer is all about tradition, so we asked some of our favorite bloggers--including Honestly WTF, Because I’m Addicted, The Glamourai, TV Carnage and Diana Miller of I Listen to Everything--what Midsummer means to them. Simply choose your favorite tradition from our bloggers, and you’ll be entered to win. The trick is, if you share your pick, your chances of winning will increase. What would a contest be without a little strategy? We’ve also teamed up with an amazing bunch of folks to bring you equally amazing prizes. Think jewelry from FOK Pamela Love, a slick unisex bag from our Coachella co-hort Phillip Lim--and those are just two of six. You'll want to check out the rest over here. In fact, we might befriend you on the side so we can ask to borrow them.

So, head over to Facebook and enter.
June 28, 2011
FOK Portraits: Celebrating Midsummer
Adam Green
If we told you we’ve stopped talking about Midsummer, we’d be lying. Like kids after their first trip to Disneyland, we can’t help but point out every amazing detail or delicious memory we accrued. Truthfully, it was the most fun we’ve had in a long time (and that is saying A LOT), and we feel super lucky to have spent Friday with an abundance of tasty cocktails, floral crowns, rocking tunes and some of our favorite people.

Even more lucky? We had the duo from HELLO there to art direct and Jeremy Liebman there photographing our gorgeous guests– seriously, take a look at these portraits and you’ll see what we mean. Here’s a look at a few FOKs and folks who joined us at The Yard at the Soho Grand Hotel for Midsummer last week. If you haven't noticed, we're having a hard time admitting that the party's over.

All photos by Jeremy Liebman

Art direction by HELLO
FÖK: HELLO
The duo behind the creative studio HELLO, Aurélien Arbet and Jérémie Egry, make people look good for a living. Specializing in art direction, photography, and graphic design, we were lucky enough to have them creative direct on the gorgeous portraits... more
June 27, 2011
Midsummer Lovin' in LA
Jeremy Scott, Rosson Crow, and Eli Roth
The best thing about being a vodka is that we can be EVERYWHERE at once. And why wouldn’t we want to be wherever anyone is craving a refreshing organic cocktail? The best part about Midsummer (let us count the ways), is that we were able to have a great time not only in New York this year, but across the country in LA too. Yes, we're taking our favorite Swedish holiday bi-coastal. It’s really only a matter of time before we take over the world.

Because we’re such responsible drinkers (always eat before you drink!), we held a lunch at the Sunset Marquis with friends and FOKs of the California variety. We were joined by an eclectic, standout crowd– people like designer and FOK Jeremy Scott, Krystal Simpson, actor and director Eli Roth, blogger Geri Hirsch and one of our favorite music bloggers Diana Miller, who tweeted, “I love summertime, day-parties, music and vodka”–all we can say is, you’re not alone, Diana.

The girls from Honestly WTF, Erica and Lauren, even got us into the DIY spirit with some amazing flower crowns– one of our favorite Midsummer traditions (you can make one for yourself, here). California girls with wild flowers in their hair? Pretty much a dream come true.

All in all, our Midsummer LA party was a new milestone for us. But don't take our word for it. Take a look at our photos from the luncheon above– don’t you wish Midsummer happened every weekend? Sigh.

All photos by Nathaniel Wood. To view the rest of the photos from the night, check out our Facebook album.
June 27, 2011
The Party of the Year: Swedish Midsummer Overtakes NYC
Binki Shapiro and Adam Green
Something very surreal happens when you've been waiting for a particular moment for an entire year and that moment finally comes. Such was the case this past Friday afternoon, stretching into evening– and it can pretty much be summed up into one word: Midsummer. If you follow our blog, Facebook, or Twitter account, then you've inevitably heard us drop this word a lot recently. But what does it really mean? Well, if Friday's festivities were any indication, Midsummer is all about fun–which, when you break it down from our perspectives encompasses a lot of cocktail drinking, good music, friends and floral headpieces.

The ominous skies threatening to rain on our parade didn't seem to dissuade a great looking crowd from getting their hair a little wet. Our favorite Swede blogger Elin Kling hung out with us all night (sporting her DIY floral crown from Ovando Flowers), along with our other friends and FOKs, Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, Scott Lipps, The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr. and Fabrizio Moretti, FOK photog Bronques, Connie Wang from Refinery29, Magnus Berger, and more.

Lydia Kellam of The Swede Beat followed by Zara Zachrisson and May Kwok helped us get the party started on the DJ table with some classic Swedish jams– think "Heartbeats," by The Knife and "All That She Wants," by Ace of Base. We didn't even need to be our usual three cocktails deep to start moving on the dance floor. And just when we didn't think it could get any better, newly formed duo Binki Shapiro and Adam Green took the stage. By the time their set was over and The Misshapes had taken over the DJ table to finish off the night's tunes, the entire party had relocated to the dance floor. We learned a few new moves that we'll be whipping out at our next event, no question. If you were lucky enough to join us in Friday's festivities, then relive it in the pictures above– and if you weren't there, well, here's a taste of Midsummer. Also, check out all the rest of the polaroids from the night on our Facebook page.

Skål!

PS- we're continuing the Midsummer party over on our Facebook page for the next month. Click here to enter our Midsummer competition to win amazing prizes like an iPad, Elie Tahari dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim bag and more.

Photos by Brandon Isralsky
June 21, 2011
Meet Our Midsummer Hosts!
Binki Shapiro and Adam Green
We’re SO close to Midsummer. Like, three days away close. And as any good party host would do, we’re making sure every detail is perfect for the big day–like taste testing the cocktails to make sure they're perfect for you (we swear). So far, it looks like we’re getting everything in place for a picture-perfect Midsummer fete come Friday. We almost can't believe it's really happening.

One of the most important aspects of party planning we’ve learned is that the people you hang out with are equally as important as the delicious cocktails you serve. So we’ve put extra thought into this year’s hosts to ensure that we haven’t talked up Midsummer without backing it up. This year we’ll have the folks from one of our favorite Swedish-centric sites, The Swede Beat, hosting our party. A few months ago we got to know the editor-in-chief and founder, Lydia Kellam, and since then we’ve been attached at the virtual hip. Cocktail, fashion, and music-loving Swedes really do stick together. Along with The Swede Beat, we’ll have a live performance by the stylish duo Binki Shapiro and Adam Green, more music to be continued by The Misshapes, Zara Zachrisson (also known as our FOK Lykke Li’s sister–music runs in the family!), May Kwok, and Swedish songstress Victoria Bergsman. We've always been told that the best things in life are worth waiting for, and luckily for us, we don’t have very long to go. See you Friday at The Yard.
June 19, 2011
In Honor of Midsummer: Win an Eddie Borgo Bracelet from Elin Kling

We've been lucky enough to work with a pretty darn cool group of people– just check our FOK page if you don't believe us. But there's nothing more exciting to us than working with a fellow Swede. We guess you could say it helps us feel a little closer to home. This week, we're collaborating with Swedish super-blogger Elin Kling, whom you may recognize from our Phillip Lim pool party pix, or perhaps on your daily street style blog feed.

To help us celebrate Midsummer (this Friday, people!), Elin will be helping us give away an Eddie Borgo bracelet that she's chosen herself– and Kling-approved equals cool, so you should probably get in on this one. If you've been lucky enough to experience Midsummer for yourself, simply leave your best Midsummer memory on the Kanon Facebook page for your chance to win Elin's prize. We'll be picking the winner by Friday, so stay tuned! And for those of you who haven't experienced the joy that is Midsummer– well, here's to making memories. Our Midsummer cocktail should be a good start. Click HERE to enter and leave your best Midsummer memory in the comments for a chance to win.

This contest is now closed. A winner has been chosen and will be contacted.

Eddie Borgo "small cone bracelet" is a registered trademark of Eddie Borgo Inc. All rights reserved. Eddie Borgo is not a participant or sponsor of this promotion.
June 17, 2011
Make Our Midsummer Cocktail

It’s amazing we can even sit here writing this; we feel like those kids whose parents told them they were going to Disneyland way too far in advance. But here goes: Midsummer is only a few days away, and we've been prepping in every way we can. You know, the usual– stretching our livers, practicing our Maypole dancing, and warming up our vocals for a Swedish song or two (we’re not too old to jump around and sing Små grodorna or "The little frogs” FYI). Get ready people, Midsummer is coming and it’s coming quick.

And sometimes pre-partying for the party isn’t such a bad idea. Which is exactly why we’re bringing you a cocktail recipe that is sure to get you excited for Friday. From FOK bartender Jan Warren, this drink has us dreaming about next Friday’s festivities with every sip. So get into the Midsummer spirit with our recipe below, and limber up. It’s almost go-time.

The Midsummer

2 parts Kanon

3⁄4 St. Germain

3⁄4 lemon juice

Add ingredients to shaking tin, shake, strain into cocktail glass, garnish with lemon twist.

(Recipe courtesy of Jan Warren at Dutch Kills)
June 10, 2011
Our 5 Midsummer Essentials: The Countdown Is On!

With rising temperatures and Midsummer only 13 days away (!), we're mentally preparing for the final stretch to AWESOME leading to June 24th. Like any great event, Midsummer takes preparation- building up our vodka tolerance, trying to find the best cocktail recipes, and gathering all the essentials we need for the what we deem the best time of the year. Midsummer is the gift that keeps giving, people. We know not everyone has as many Midsummer experiences under their belts as we do (we were established in 1580, we know a thing or two), so we thought we'd make a handy little guide to get some of you newbies feeling right at home when the holiday hits in just a couple of weeks. Here are our top 5 Midsummer essentials:

1. Cocktail glass + Kanon bottle: An obvious choice and a favorite of ours, Midsummer just isn't complete without a refreshing Kanon cocktail or four. Pick up a bottle of Kanon (our stockist list is conveniently located here), pour yourself a drink, and let the good times fly. The Swedes are big fans of taking a “nubbe” or shot of alcohol. Aren't they the best?

2. Your crush: Legend has it that love is strongest on this day so grab your crush- it's time to make things happen. Summer loving, indeed.

3. Sunglasses: Midsummer is also the summer solstice, making it the longest day of the year (aka more time to drink- score) and the sunniest. So grab your sunglasses for the first day of summer and stay cool, friends. Keep them around for the morning after too, this is a hangover-friendly accessory.

4. Songs: Like any culture that loves to drink, we also love to SING. We can't help it, it's in our blood and for decades, Midsummer has really brought out the best songs. Case in point? Små grodorna or "The little frogs,” which also involves hopping around like the animal it’s named for. Here are the lyrics (they'll be easier after a cocktail):

Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.

Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.

Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de. Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

5. Pillow: In Midsummer history, it's not uncommon for girls to gather flowers and sleep with a bouquet under their pillows so they'll dream of their future husband. Cute, right? So make sure you find yourself a nice pillow. At the very least, it’ll help you sleep better, and hopefully counteract some of that next-day hangover.
April 5, 2011
Our Official Countdown to Midsummer Starts Now

We’re a glass half full type of crowd here at Kanon– and not just because we always know where there’s a Kanon cocktail nearby (although that does play a part). It's because we’ve always enjoyed celebrating the small things in life, whether it’s a Lykke Li show here in the city or the impending warmer weather, we'll take any chance we can get for a toast.

Midsummer is yet another of the many pleasures we enjoy in life– but this one doesn't necessarily fall into the "small" category. The Swedish holiday is something we've grown to love even more over time. While you might automatically assume that Midsummer is in the middle of summer, you'd be wrong. Midsummer actually falls around the summer solstice, right as the warm months kick off, and just because we’re far away from our homeland doesn’t mean it will stop us from celebrating the only way we know how- in full Swedish style. Or counting down the days 'til we can. (Be sure to check out the awesome countdown clock on our homepage. Only 79 short days until we get our Swedish celebrations on.) In anticipation of the best holiday ever, we thought we'd give you a little Midsummer lesson.

1) Some of our favorite traditions during Midsummer involve raising and dancing around a maypole decorated with flowers. People wear traditional costumes and crowns made of wild flowers. Can you say Swedish theme party?

CONTINUE READING OUR OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN TO MIDSUMMER STARTS NOW.
- + Share
- Midsummer
July 28, 2010
Midsummer Eve with Street Carnage

It’s been quite the ride but today brings us the last of FOK Pinky’s video installments from Sweden. For his curtain call, Pinky doesn’t even need to say a word. It’s Midsummer Eve and, as you can see, music, dancing, cocktails, and more have taken over.

Like Pinky himself, it’s an understated and sublime glimpse at the greatest of Swedish holidays. We get the feeling sometime in December, when snow is thick on the ground and the sun makes only brief appearances, we’ll turn this on and remember the sweet taste of summer.
July 21, 2010
Midsummer Moments with Street Carnage
Pinky’s back on the case for Kanon. This time, to get to the bottom and find the pure essence of Swedish Midsummer. Shockingly, Pinky grills several statuesque blondes on their knowledge of the roots of the holiday, which is supposedly harvesting and planting crops. Perhaps things have changed since the first Midsummer and the meaning of this holiday has evolved. But from the looks of the official launch party for Kanon Organic Vodka, evolution is a good thing.
July 20, 2010
Midsummer Moments with Street Carnage

This week, Pinky is back with some hard-hitting journalism for Kanon straight from Sweden's Midsummer parties. And what says party more than a Metal band. And who loves metal more than aristocrats. Well, maybe they aren't really synonymous but it's just the kind of craziness Pinky was enlisted to discover after months of darkness.

Unsurprisingly, he captured some of the most organic beauties in the world falling under the spell of our favorite organic vodka in the world. The view looks great, and our good friend is pretty much speechless, as are we.
July 12, 2010
Midsummer Adventures: Swedish Girls by Street Carnage
Here at Kanon we’ve enjoyed our fair share of amazing Midsummer parties. And while we’re more than happy to sit back and enjoy ourselves at this annual solstice soiree, we really wanted to freshly experience Midsummer through the eyes of a few of our favorite FOKs. Yes, we’ve raised the maypole a few times in our lives, but we wanted to share the day with some Midsummer virgins.

One of our favorite virgins (Midsummer that is) is Beau Derrick aka Pinky of TV Carnage. Thankfully for us, he took time out from directing music videos for the likes of Crystal Castles and making Adult Swim specials (garnering praise from the likes of Johnny Knoxville and Michael Cera. Oh and The New York Times) to head out to Sweden and experience first-hand the madness that is Midsummer. Also lucky for us, Pinky brought his camera along and lent his unique voice and talents to documenting all that went down. One more lucky for us- his first short focuses on the all important question, “Just why are Swedish girls so ugly?” Many examples of this geographic anomaly are given. Thank you, Pinky. We think further research into this is a must.
June 25, 2010
History of Kanon (Happy Midsummer)
Photo by Fredrik Skogkvist
Back in 2004, when the world was a bit different and Americans had to travel around the world apologizing profusely with our tail between our legs like a puppy that just made a poo-poo, it suddenly became cool to say, “If things don’t change I’m moving to Sweden.” And aside from no one actually following through with it, it made sense. Look at Swedes, for god's sake, they’re all gorgeous and work at creative ad agencies or design organic denim lines made from papier maché that make an 80% profit while proceeds clothe African malaria victims. They smoke cool cigarettes and drink constantly but don’t get too drunk and think casual sex should be government subsidized. It’s all enough to make us forget that the sun doesn’t exist there for half the year. Oh, or that Swedes used to be the biggest dicks on the planet.

Vikings were fucking brutal. They literally raped and pillaged and the British Isles were totally their bitch. But let us not judge too harshly, they explored and colonized and gave us modern day Icelandic chicks. After a couple hundred years or so of feeling superior over the forebears of polite Brits, King Karl XI of Sweden founded Akers Iron Foundry. And, being the genius that he was, he said, “Dude, let’s drink vodka and build giant cannons and shit!” Thus, the origins of what would become the Gripsholm Distillery.

A few centuries later and the Gripsholm Distillery sits on these same royal grounds, where mist blows through from Stockholm’s archipelago, majestic moose meander the deep forests, and a bunch of other shit that New Yorkers like me have no idea about and would likely die after 24 hours let alone there... But it goes back to why all those pseudo-hippies wanted to move to Sweden in the first place. Gripsholm uses the grain and potatoes that their neighbors grow organically and water from the natural springs that carve their way through the forest to produce local spirits in the tradition that’s about ten centuries older than America. What’s your vodka got? A fancy bottle? Well, good luck with all of that.
June 18, 2010
Midsummer Countdown (Time to Party)

For Americans unfamiliar in the revelry that is Midsummer and raised on movies centered on ticking time bombs, Kanon’s Midsummer Countdown might seem like some ominous plot to destroy mankind. Breathe easy my paranoid friend, world domination isn’t on Kanon’s agenda (yet).

For now we’re just gonna school people on a Scandinavian tradition involving boats, the sea, islands, girls with flowers in their hair to signify getting laid (think Mardi Gras beads but with more sex, less cheap plastic), bbq, crawfish, and taking shots. Yes the Swedes invented shots, they call them schnaps. If any of those appeal to you (and if they don’t, just get out now) you’ll want to add Midsummer to your summer to-do list. Actually, having a written summer to-do list is probably lame; maybe you should create a "summer vision board." Right. Okay, before we get too zen, here's the frickin point: After months of near total darkness, Midsummer in Sweden brings out the sun and a people ready to go crazy ballistic. Revelry is an understatement. The entire country fills country homes, tiny islands, city centers, and just about anywhere else to celebrate the fact that it’s not fucking dark. So simple and genius; organic, if you will.

But we aren’t just counting down to one of the best holidays in the world; we’re also nearing zero-time to the official launch of Kanon. Now, we’ve stayed out all night on a Tuesday to celebrate finding a quarter on the street (see: excuses to party) so you can imagine what we’re scheming for this. Original Kanon Organic cocktails, tons of Midsummer inspired food and, of course, music. In this case, Lykke Li DJing and a live performance by the Shout Out Louds. All in the heart of Stockholm. Not in Stockholm you say? Too bad. Just kidding, lucky for you Swedes are generous and willing to share their awesomeness with the world.

Also lucky for you, you’ll now officially have a tasty Swedish organic vodka to help you spread the word about an awesome new holiday that's not called Festivus. So stop complaining, cease looking for sidewalk quarters and pay attention to that Countdown. No bombs, just smooth shots ... promise.

P.S. We're not stopping the celebration in Sweden--we've got awesome stuff planned for the rest of the summer to keep the party going through August and beyond, starting with a 4th of July party at our house in Southampton with Carlos Quirarte and Matt Kliegman, the duo behind The Smile and the infamously fun/mysterious/hard-as-hell-to-get-into Jane Hotel ballroom. Stay tuned.