Claudiu Vacarus

"In 2021, for the Diageo World Class Romania final, I initiated a partnership with the Eco Asist NGO. For every drink sold, they planted a tree. During that time, we managed to plant 333 trees with the "Boots on the Ground" cocktail.

Today, we are continuing what we started back then and pushing the project further. We have introduced this drink to multiple locations across the country, and in the upcoming period, our campaign will reach over 10,000 people. With their help, we aim to plant as many trees as possible.

"Boots on the Ground" is a cocktail crafted from the riches of Romanian soil, including pears, lovage, and sea buckthorn. All these ingredients are locally sourced and, when combined with Ketel One, they yield a drink with robust flavors, while still retaining the subtly peppery profile of Ketel One.

Looking ahead, I aspire to expand this campaign nationally and internationally. In the month of August, I envision a week each year dedicated to fundraising for reforestation. This campaign serves the purpose of raising people's awareness about the significance of the environment. It's time we start taking even small actions to preserve the beauty of our planet for future generations."

Boots on the Ground

Glass: Highball
Garnish: Lovage sprig
Method: Build in glass
Ice: Cubes

Ingredients:
40 ml Ketel One Family-Made Vodka
40 ml Ground Cordial
100 ml Sparkling water

To make Ground Cordial:
500 ml Sea buckthorn natural juice with no sugar
500 ml Pear puree (500g of fresh pears, cooked and blended in a Thermomix with 600g of white sugar for 20 minutes at 60 degrees Celsius)
30g fresh lovage

All ingredients cooked in Thermomix for 20 minutes at 60 degrees Celsius.