When you think of Absolut vodka, think of Kristen Schaefer—after all, she is the face of the brand for Las Vegas. Schaefer has been a brand ambassador for Absolut for almost three years, and, according to her, there’s no other job in the world she would rather be doing. “I love my job. I love my brand,” she said, proudly.

As the face of Absolut, it’s Schaefer’s job to “create brand awareness through education, training and hosting events,” she explained. That means where you see Absolut behind the bar, you can pretty much bet it was Schaefer who helped bring the brand to the venue, while at the same time educating and training the bartenders on the brand. “One of the points of my job is when I walk into a bar or venue, they’re supposed to go ‘Hey, there’s Absolut!’” she said.

For anything and everything you want to know about the Swedish-made vodka, Schaefer’s your girl. She has nearly 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, including eight years in Las Vegas. She’s served as head mixologist, property mixologist and head bartender at some of the city’s hottest spots. “The industry in Vegas is unlike any other,” she said. “It’s competitive, fast-paced and I love it!”

And, one has to wonder, between working in the office all day, and then visiting venues at night, just how does Schaefer manage to keep up with it all? “Absolut and coffee. That’s my motto!” she said.

Absolut Cosmopolitan

Absolut Cosmopolitan

Absolut Cosmopolitan

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Absolut Cosmopolitan. The cocktail was first created in San Francisco in the ’80s, but it was in 1988 that Absolut released the first citrus-flavored vodka, and the original recipe was re-worked to incorporate ABSOLUT.® Citron, giving us the Cosmopolitan that’s implanted itself in American culture today. The iconic cocktail is served martini style and adds cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice and an orange twist to the classic citrus-flavored vodka.

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Photos shot on location at The Polaroid Museum at The LINQ.