Olympian Gus Kenworthy launches new drink with Nomadica

You probably know Gus Kenworthy for being a silver medalist Olympian. Or maybe you know him for starring in American Horror Story. But you probably didn’t know that his latest project was creating his very own beverage.

Kenworthy teamed up with the sustainable wine brand Nomadica, known for their canned wine. Canning wine instead of bottling it helps keep costs down and even makes the wine more eco-friendly. Glass requires more resources to produce and because it’s much heavier, it ends up increasing the amount of CO2 emitted during transportation. 

Through their partnership, Kenworhty has launched his Rosé Yuzu Spritz. The drink blends Merlot, Grenache, Gamay, and fresh yuzu juice to create a Spritz that Kenworthy says is “perfect for summer.” FoodSided was able to catch up with the busy Olympian, actor, and now mixologist to chat about his new drink, its inspiration, and the best ways to serve it.

How did you get involved with Nomadica? 

I was introduced to Nomadica’s owner Kristin and I just loved her and her product. She’s super badass. She’s an expert-level sommelier who's worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, and then she decided to start Nomadica to help make the wine industry more sustainable and youthful. She wanted to challenge the boys’ club that the industry has mostly been.

What inspired the fresh, fruity flavor profiles for the drink? 

I wanted a fun summer drink. That was kind of the guiding thought that led us through the project. I wanted something fun and refreshing that was low-sugar and easy to enjoy. 

Were there any drinks out there that helped inspire your Spritz? 

I wanted a drink that could be an elevated alternative to something like a White Claw. I liked the idea of something low-calorie, refreshing, and drinkable, but also wanted to create something with a lot of quality. Plus, I love a good Spritz. I love an Aperol Spritz and I love a Campari Spritz. My only issue is that I find them to be really sweet, so I wanted to do a version that was more on the fresher, lighter side. Something you can drink more than one of and still feel good.

What do you think is the ideal way to serve your Rosé Yuzu Spritz?

I actually just brought a bunch of cans with me on a recent trip to Spain. Me and my friends went out on a boat and they were literally gone in a few seconds. To me, that feels like the essence of the drink and a really fun way to do it. I think it’s the perfect cooler drink, whether you’re at a picnic or on the beach. I think it’s one of those drinks that’s best served outside with good friends, whether it’s in your backyard, at the park, or on a boat.

So let’s say someone is enjoying one at a party or an event. What types of snacks or other drinks would you serve alongside it? 

Well, I’d have to serve Nomadica’s orange skin contact wine as well, because I’m obsessed with it. I also think if you’re having people over, you need to have some soda drinks, whether it’s a vodka soda or a tequila soda, because they’re so easy. If you want to do something a little more elevated, then I’d serve some martinis too. But honestly, I’m not much of a bartender, I love simplicity. 

Sounds like that probably also inspired your Spritz, since it doesn’t require any kind of mixes or garnishes.

Absolutely. I can be a little barebones if I'm the bartender, so I love drinks that don’t require extra work and allow me to spend more time socializing. I’m a straight-from-the-can guy, so I wanted to make sure the Yuzu Spritz was delicious without needing anything else.