In March, Smirnoff vodka began searching for an “enthusiastic drinks guru” to delve into the culture of cocktails, report its findings and represent the brand. It didn’t take long to unearth the perfect candidate.

Cameron Bogue of Las Vegas has been named the company’s expert on all things related to the world of mixology. For the next year, he will travel the country, nipping away at a $50,000 expense budget, researching cocktail culture and making himself available to the media as an expert resource. Bogue receives a $50,000 salary and is expected to identify the hottest trends in the world of drinks, culinary fare and entertaining. His job description includes submitting two Smirnoff Cocktail Trends Reports on his findings. The post began May 1.

Bogue was one of more than 60 people who submitted a lengthy application, along with a three-minute video that included a segment on he would contemporize the Moscow Mule drink and make it attractive to today’s vodka drinkers. The Moscow Mule, a mix of ginger beer and Smirnoff, is the first drink the vodka brand created in the U.S. Bogue came up with the Beijing Mule that used a variety of ingredients like saffron-infused simple syrup and homemade Asian peach-steeped Smirnoff vodka. Applications were accepted through April 1 (Xtra, March 1, 2006).

Bogue has a background in mixology, creating cocktails as an adult based on his father’s epicurean delights. He has opened a few bars, designed cocktail menus, trained bar staff for top nightclubs and lounges and has earned certificates from the Wine Education Guild and other culinary programs, Smirnoff said..

The Smirnoff Web site is being updated to include a section for Bogue that will feature his bio and all things mixology that he discovers in his travels.

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In March, Smirnoff vodka began searching for an “enthusiastic drinks guru” to delve into the culture of cocktails, report back with his findings and represent the brand. It didn’t take long to identify the perfect candidate.

Cameron Bogue of Las Vegas has been named the company’s expert on all things related to the world of mixology. For the next year, he will travel the country, nipping away at a $50,000 expense budget, researching cocktail culture and making himself available to the media as an expert resource. He receives a $50,000 salary and is expected to identify the hottest trends in the world of drinks, culinary fare and entertaining. His job description includes submitting two Smirnoff Cocktail Trends Reports on his findings.

The post began May 1.

Bogue was one of more than 60 people who submitted a lengthy application, along with a three-minute video that included a segment on he would contemporize the Moscow Mule drink and make it attractive to today’s vodka drinkers. The Moscow Mule, a mix of ginger beer and Smirnoff, is the first drink the vodka brand created in the U.S. Bogue came up with the Beijing Mule that used a variety of ingredients like saffron-infused simple syrup and homemade Asian peach-steeped Smirnoff vodka. Applications were accepted through April 1 (Xtra, March 1).

Bogue has a background in mixology, creating cocktails as an adult based on his father’s epicurean delights. He has opened a few bars, designed cocktail menus, trained bar staff for top nightclubs and lounges and has earned certificates from the Wine Education Guild and other culinary programs, Smirnoff said..

The Smirnoff Web site, Smirnoff.com, is being updated to include a section for Bogue that will feature his bio and all things mixology that he discovers in his travels.

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