Celebrate Pride with Andrew Rannells and Ketel One

By Chilled Magazine

Film and Broadway star, Andrew Rannells teamed up with Ketel One Vodka and Bartender Fanny Chu to develop a Pride Cocktail.

Rannells has racked up an impressive range of credits including film appearances in The Intern, A Simple Favor, and The Boys In The Band, television roles in Girls, The New Normal, Big Mouth, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and much more. The actor has also voiced in video games and held roles in theater productions including The Book of Mormon (for which he was nominated for three awards and won a Grammy), Hamilton, Falsettos, and more.

To celebrate Pride month, the actor worked with bartender Fanny Chu and Ketel One vodka to create the LGBTini. We caught up with him to hear about the partnership and how he’s celebrating Pride Month.

Ketel One Pride Summer Cooler

Ketel One Pride Summer Cooler

Photo by Eric Medsker

Tell us about your partnership with Ketel One – how did it come about?

I first started working with Ketel One Vodka in March 2021 for National Cocktail Day. Together, we announced the launch of their program called Makers of Marvelous, which celebrates the hospitality community and gives back to bartenders for their craft, creativity and service.

I’ve worked in the service industry myself, so it is important to me to work with brands who are giving back to the hospitality community, especially given the many changes that happened this past year due to COVID-19.

Talk to us about the specialty Ketel One cocktail you created alongside Queer bartender Fanny Chu.

Ketel One Vodka has been a longstanding partner of GLAAD and the LGBTQ+ community. This year I was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award, so it only made sense for us to team up with Fanny Chu to create the official cocktail of the awards.

The cocktail is called the LGBTini and is a twist on the iconic martini (which is having a comeback!). It’s made with Ketel One Vodka, orange-spiced vermouth and some olive brine.

How was it working with Fanny and Ketel One Vodka?

Ketel One’s Makers of Marvelous program is one that celebrates hospitality workers who are responsible for making our cocktail experiences unforgettable. Fanny truly is one of those people. She is not only incredible at making cocktails, but she also goes above and beyond in making sure that there are inclusive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to socialize.

What did you take away from the experience?

Through my partnership with Ketel One Vodka, I learned that the hospitality community is made of vibrant individuals who are responsible for so many of our experiences when it comes to drinking and dining. Yes, you can make a cocktail at home, but chances are it won’t taste as good as when your favorite bartender makes it for you. 

Have you ever been a bartender?

I have never been a bartender, but I have worked in many restaurants in my early days in New York.

How will you be celebrating PRIDE Month?

It’s great to see that folks are able to get out into the world again, but I feel like there is still a lot of trepidation about large crowds. So, for me, Pride is going to be focused on reconnecting in small groups. But I’m still feeling very proud.

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