PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 77 ly to create a pure heart,” Dariusz says. A fitting phrase, since every step of Rocket Vodka’s evolution has been a labor of love. “We bootstrapped everything,” Dariusz says. With no sales team, he leveraged experience from his day job as a chief marketing officer and recruited a handful of passionate volunteers to talk to restaurants, bars and hotels. “None of us had any alcohol experience,” Dariusz grins, “except for drinking it.” Soon, Rocket Vodka had found its way into notable Peninsula eateries like Zola, Ettan, Terùn, Flea Street Cafe, Vina Enoteca and Camper, plus Draeger’s markets and K&L Wine Merchants. Dariusz explains that these are all “cool mom-and-pop places that truly care about the customer experience,” and are always on the lookout for what’s local and unique. “Our vodka performs really well at places like that.” Now don’t get him wrong, “I would love to be in Applebee’s someday,” he says. “But it’s in places like Zola and Flea Street that people discover new spirits and new foods.” Dariusz has come quite a ways since his dream on a ski lift. Wondering where his business gets its name? It’s a sly nod to its origin story. On the slopes, Dariusz’s friends call him the Polish Rocket. “I like to ski fast and go straight downhill,” he laughs. But the Rocket Vodka moniker is more than that. “I chose it ultimately because I wanted the brand to stand for elevation and aspiration,” he says. “We want to celebrate you and your peak moments.” have a blast rocketvodka.com Dariusz donates a portion of the proceeds from each bottle of Rocket Vodka to World Central Kitchen, an international humanitarian organization that organizes meal distribution sites in crisis spots. WCK has supported Ukrainian refugees who fled to Poland after Russia’s invasion. Go on a bubbly adventure. Ingredients 1.5 ounces Rocket Vodka 1.5 ounces pomegranate juice 1.5 ounces San Pellegrino sparkling water 1.5 ounces simple syrup Slice of brûlée lemon Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a glass. Garnish with lemon. POM POM BOOSTER
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==