Sam's Club getting own-brand vodka

Sam's Club, the bulk-item discount chain subsidiary of Wal-Mart, will begin selling its own brand of vodka in more than 240 stores.

The Sam's Club store brand Member's Mark will carry a premium vodka under the name Rue 33. It will be sold in 1.75-liter bottles for about $28 beginning late this month. The maker is the French distiller Louis Royer, best known for its cognac.

Availability will depend on individual state liquor laws. Sam's Club has more than 600 U.S. locations, but due to state laws and other factors, including the size of likely vodka sales, Rue 33 will be sold in less than half of them.

Sam's Club already has wine made for its stores, but they do not carry the Member's Mark label.

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Snickertini, Skittletini ... On it goes at Gizzmos

From Heritage Newspapers of Michigan:

WYANDOTTE, MI -- Most people have heard of the traditional martini, typically made of gin or vodka and dry vermouth. But what about a “Snickertini,” a “Skittletini” or “Flirtini?”

Gizzmos Martinis & Memories offers these and more than 47 other variations of the classic cocktail, including “The Spicy One,” made with vodka, olive juice, Tabasco and jalapeño olives; the “Almond Joy,” featuring coconut rum, creme de cocoa, hazelnut liqueur and white Godiva; and the “DD Dirty Dog,” its best seller, which contains Absolut vodka, olive juice and bleu cheese-filled olives.

Al Fritz (top), who has owned the bar since 2003, takes great pride in the fact that Gizzmos is more than a typical neighborhood bar.

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