She’s the professional bartender whose liquor experiments have created a following with Van Gogh’s loyal fans, infusing fashionable flavors into the average cocktail that put the everyday Cosmopolitan to shame. From special requests at weddings, to entertaining with high-class flavor in mind, Stacy enjoys the enviable position of ‘research and development’ at Van Gogh Vodka, serving up deliciously sinful drinks for any and every occasion.

When she’s not concocting a new Van Gogh martini or cocktail, Stacy Nicoll can be found podcasting her signature recipes online with ‘Gogh Casts’, and blogging about the latest vodka lineup from the Van Gogh brand. We pulled out our shot glasses and cocktail shakers for a quick lesson on making the perfect martini—followed by a few Q&As:

TN: What’s the one vodka everyone should have in their bar?
SN: Since most people probably already have classic 80-proof vodka, I would recommend Van Gogh Double Espresso® Double Caffeine Vodka. Its unique flavor is always a crowd pleaser.

TN: What’s something most people don’t know about vodka?
SN: It can be used in cooking recipes, as well as cocktails. We often use Van Gogh Vodka’s many exotic flavors as marinades, which are perfect for grilling. Van Gogh Pineapple, Coconut, Citroen and Pomegranate vodkas are just a few that can be used to flavor seafood and poultry. Double Espresso®;, Espresso, Dutch Chocolate, Vanilla and Wild Appel are delicious in a variety of desserts including cakes and can even be used to dress up ice cream instead of syrup.

TN: What’s the easiest drink to make with vodka?
SN:  Van Gogh’s 17 flavored vodkas are cocktails in a bottle – simply select your favorite flavor, chill, pour and repeat!

TN: What’s a great Halloween cocktail?
SN:

Grim Reaper
1 oz. Van Gogh Double Espresso® Vodka, 1 oz. white chocolate liqueur, 4 oz. Guinness Stout
Mix vodka and liquer in a shot glass then pour Guinness into a pint glass. Drop shooter into pint glass and shoot entire glass.

Eyeball Martini
3 oz. Van Gogh Vodka or Van Gogh Gin, hint of dry vermouth
Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds and strain into martini glass. Garnish with an olive stuffed radish that has been scored to create the “veins” of an eyeball.

Booberry Martini
2 oz. Van Gogh Acai-Blueberry® Vodka, 1 oz. white chocolate liqueur, 1 oz. amaretto
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds, then strain mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with skewered blueberries and/or marshmallow ghost.

Spider Cider
2 oz. Van Gogh Wild Appel Vodka, 2 oz. sour apple schnapps, ½ fill with cranberry juice, ½ fill with apple juice.
Freeze plastic/gummy spiders in ice cubes and build your drink in a pint glass filled with the spider packed ice.

TN: What about for upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years?
SN:

Pumpkin Pie Martini
Mix 1 oz. Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka, ½ oz. Licor 43, 1 oz. pumpkin liqueur, ½ oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream, a splash butterscotch schnapps and ice. Shake, then pour and sprinkle with ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice. For added effect, rim the glass with fresh lemon juice and crushed graham crackers.

Candy Cane Coffeetini
Pour 2 oz. Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, 1 oz. peppermint” href=”“http://www.thisnext.com/tag/peppermintschnapps”“> and 1/2 oz. cream over ice. Shake well, then pour and swirl in a touch of grenadine for color. Edge the glass with grenadine and crushed peppermint candies and garnish with a mini candy cane.

Gingerbread Martini
Pour 1 1/2 oz. Van Gogh Espresso or Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, 1 1/2 oz. Goldschlager and 1 1/2 oz. Irish Cream into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds, strain into a martini glass and sprinkle with nutmeg.

Van Gogh  Royale
Pour a splash of crème de cassis into a champagne flute. Add 1 oz. Van Gogh Vodka, then top with 3 oz. champagne. Garnish with a lemon curl.

TN: What’s a great, classic cocktail for most any celebration?
SN: I recommend a Cosmopolitan. The classic recipe calls for vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime, but you can also use your favorite Van Gogh Vodka flavor – all of them work well in this recipe. Additionally, VanGoghVodka.com features more than 2,000 cocktail recipes for any occasion and if you can’t find one you like, we can also create a free custom cocktail recipe just for your event – simply e-mail cocktails@vangoghvodka.com with your request.

TN: Any sneak previews you can share with ThisNext readers?
SN: Our latest flavor – Banana – has just started to hit the shelves, so look for it in your local liquor store or bar.

TN: The product that’s had the biggest influence on your career?
SN:  Van Gogh Vodka of course!

TN: If you were a product, you’d be a ________.
SN: Martini glass

TN: Your favorite product discovery in the last six months… Or something that inspired you? SN: Van Gogh’s Acai-Blueberry Vodka. Its delicious flavor and beautiful purple color make it the perfect cocktail in a bottle. Because its flavor is so unique it has been exciting to create cocktails that capitalize on the flavor’s distinctiveness. One of my favorite Acai-Blueberry Vodka recipes is the Pink Flamingo (add 2 oz Van Gogh’s Acai-Blueberry Vodka to 3 oz pink lemonade and pour over ice) – it’s easy to make, refreshing and absolutely delicious!

TN: Most prized possession?
SN:  My Boston shaker.

TN: A product love secret you’re too embarrassed to share?
SN: Vodka soaked, blue cheese stuffed olives!

TN: Name an item under your bed?
SN: Wrapping paper.

TN: Something in your closet that is not apparel, shoes, bags, etc.?
SN: My Janis Joplin poster.

TN: Favorite trend for Fall?
SN: Matching the color of your cocktail to your cocktail dress!

TN: Least favorite trend for fall?
SN: Plaid.

TN: Can’t leave home without my_____?
SN: AmEx.

TN: City or suburbs?
SN: Country!

TN: Loft or the perfect house with the white picket fence?
SN: House.

TN: Flip-flops or sneakers?
SN: Flip-flops.

TN: Coffee or tea?
SN: Coffee (with a shot of Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka)!