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Drink like a celeb

By Nicole Zerillo | Special to amNewYork

4:30 PM EST, November 15, 2007

The restaurant Sapa serves up a Roberto Cavalli martini made with the eponymous vodka. (Erin Gleeson)

If you¹ve ever wanted to party like a celebrity, now you can. Well, sorta.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, Marilyn Monroe and the indomitable Ed McMahon are just a few of the many celebrities who have splashed their names across bottles of alcohol available at bars and liquor stores near you. Many are having great success: Designer Roberto Cavalli just launched the next wave of his Cavalli vodka line, while director Francis Ford Coppola has been in the wine-making biz for years.

Not to be outdone, other high fashion designers like Viktor & Rolf and Jean Paul Gaultier are in the mix, while musicians Sammy Hagar and Willie Nelson have brands of their own. And, even though he doesn¹t like alcohol, Donald Trump has his own Trump vodka (full name: Trump: The World¹s Finest Super Premium Vodka), available for up to $40 for a one liter bottle. Hey, luxury isn¹t cheap.

The ever-lovable Danny DeVito even jumped into the game after he had a few too many limoncellos before an appearance on "The View²"last year. Soon after, Danny DeVito¹s Premium Limoncello was born.

It¹s enough to make your head spin. So, what¹s with all the celebu-drinks? "An undifferentiated product can borrow the caché of the famous without doing very much, if there is an obvious and clever connection," said Gita Johar, professor of marketing at the Columbia University Business School.

Bottom line: If you like the star, you¹ll probably try the alcohol at least once. Cheers!

Get a taste of celebrity brands here:

Sapa, Roberto Cavalli martinis
This famous fashionista has managed to bottle his edgy leopard and neon pink style in a vodka with absolutely no after-taste, due to fine Italian grains and crushed marble filters.
The Broadway Lounge, Danny DeVito Limoncello. A digestif par excellence, Danny DeVito's limoncello is a tasty combination of sugar, water, lemon zest, and alcohol. As bright as Italian sunshine, DeVito's drink is a sweet treat, without any sour notes. It's even all natural.
Jean Georges, Trump Cosmo. True to form, The Donald's vodka is encased in a tall, golden tower. Produced by a Dutch distiller established in 1631, Trump Vodka has a clean taste, but a bit of a burn, not unlike the man himself.
Hogs & Heifers, Willie Nelson¹s Old Whiskey River bourbon. The backwoods of Kentucky come a little closer to NYC, with Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River, a smokey, light bourbon, as fine as any moonshine your Pa ever bragged about.

Try this one at home

Frida Kahlo Tequila: Throw back like the legendary femme fetale, herself. Made from 100% blue agave, hand-crafted Frida Kahlo Tequila is an elegant line with three distinct flavors. Try the Anejo Tequila aged in American oak casts for at least three years for a true work of art.