What better way to wait for summer than with a stylish cocktail in hand?

Curl a ribbon of cucumber or muddle raspberries in a highball class and add a dash of premium vodka to see the season in.

The special edition Belvedere RED vodka has been released to mark the launch of the #MAKETHEDIFFERENCE campaign, which aims to raise awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. For each bottle sold, Belvedere will contribute 50% of the profits to the Global Fund to help eliminate this epidemic.

Belvedere Cucumber Spritz

30ml Belvedere (RED) Vodka
30ml dry Vermouth
2 cucumber ribbons

Combine all ingredients in a Belvedere Spritz glass filled with ice, topped with equal parts of sparkling and tonic water

Belvedere RED Martini

60ml Belvedere (RED) Vodka
10ml sweet Vermouth
5ml Maraschino Liqueur
2 dashes of Peychaud bitters

Stir with ice until very cold and garnish with an orange zest.

Belvedere BIG RED Mule

50ml Belvedere (RED) Vodka
15ml cinnamon syrup
15ml lime juice
3 raspberries
120ml ginger beer

Muddle the raspberries. Build the ingredients over cubed ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a raspberry.

Belvedere RED Spritz

45ml Belvedere (RED) Vodka
30ml bitter aperitif (Campari)
2 orange wedges & 1 sprig of rosemary

Topped with equal parts of sparkling water and tonic water.

The special edition Belvedere (RED) bottle is available for purchase at selected liquor outlets across New Zealand.