Kanti Group hotel and restaurant company President Rajiv Pandey is capturing the “essence of Miami” in RR Vodka, now being launched by new sister company Kanti Spirits In-Bev
“When the going gets tough, the tough make vodka,” is not quite how the expression goes, but it surely does for Kanti Group President Rajiv Pandey, one of the R’s behind Miami’s newly released RR Vodka. He certainly could be defined as one “tough” and resilient businessman. After years of success as owner of two successful South Florida restaurants and investment firm Kanti Financial Group, when COVID tried to bring the entire hospitality industry to its knees, Pandey wasn’t going down without a fight.
As businesses around the world began to close due to the pandemic, the inspiration for RR Vodka was born. Joining forces with the other “R,” his best Rajesh back in India, Pandey first met with his management staff and employees to discuss the immediate challenge. He knew that he would have to embrace a solid solution in order to ensure that everyone would not only thrive but survive. As Pandey says, “I don’t have ‘employees,’ – instead, they are my ‘family,’ – and I wanted to make sure they were taken care of.”
Pandey was determined to do something. And so the journey began.
Vodka Serves as a Timely Solution
RR Vodka is the solution – not only for his “family,” but for the long-term success of his new enterprise, Kanti Spirits In-Bev. This vodka is remarkable, and it wasn’t easy to get started. Manufacturing and distributing alcohol is quite a complex task. Pandey began with just a dream – and, due to the COVID shutdown, “I had plenty of time to learn, COVID made sure of that!”
So many bars and nightclubs were closed during the pandemic, which resulted in the sale of alcohol for at-home consumption increasing more than 35 percent in Florida and over 20 percent higher throughout the United States.
Due to its incredible popularity, being the top selling spirit in the U.S., the since the 1970’s, vodka was a wise choice for Pandey. Not to mention, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, vodka generated more than $7.3 billion in revenue in 2021, which is $2 billion more than the second-highest selling spirit, tequila and mezcal.
It Takes a Village to Raise a Brand
Apparently, it takes a village to raise a Vodka brand. With the help of his accountant, Michael Emokpae, Pandey’s Kanti Spirits In-Bev, Inc., was incorporated. Next, Attorney Brad Berkman of Greenspoon Marder rolled up his sleeves and began to work with Pandey and together they completed the arduous paperwork that was needed to begin this new venture. Alcohol is very heavily regulated. While this might have put some people off, he was determined – he researched, submitted what was required, and patiently waited for everything to be finalized.
Six months later, RR Vodka joined with a distillery in neighboring Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and branding began! Not only is RR Vodka outstanding, the bottle itself is stunning. Tall and elegant with golden script, this bottle adds class and style to any table. RR Vodka is a corn-based Vodka that Pandey tells us, “is distilled six times, which gives this Vodka an incredibly smooth taste.”
One taste and there is no doubt that this is a high-quality spirit borne of a meticulous process. But not only is label and bottle design vital to the success of a new vodka, so is the vodka’s story.
A Vodka with a Story to Tell
No stranger to class and style, with his extensive executive experience in luxury hospitality operations, Pandey laser-focused on creating RR vodka brand, to be, “a symbol of celebration and the spirit of Miami.”
Years ago, he visited Miami on vacation, and it became his second home. Like many, he fell in love with the Magic City’s beautiful weather and interesting diversity – so he returned the embrace of the warm people. The charm, excitement, and style of Miami are reflected in every bottle of RR Vodka. It is definitely a welcomed addition to the market and I’m sure it will be the number one vodka in the nation in no time – and, next, the world.
RR Vodka is a true labor of love and friendship – and as Pandey tells us, “We are determined to deliver the Miami lifestyle not only locally, but around the globe.” After several more rounds of paperwork, Kanti Spirits-InBev was able to secure an international license and cases are now on their way to India and Canada, in addition to being served in his two bar/restaurants here in South Florida. He also notes that RR Vodka will soon be available in the South Florida retail market as well as at hotels and restaurants here.
The Journey Has Just Begun
So what’s on the horizon? Following the successful roll-out of RR Vodka, Pandey is setting his sights on developing a new line of high-quality tequila and whiskey (insert lip smack here).
So, whether you are enjoying your RR Vodka Cosmopolitan in Miami Beach or Mumbai, or in the nightclubs of Gurugram and Bangalore, India, the spirit of Miami is embraced and embodied. Miami is a city that is rife with possibilities and many success stories – and RR Vodka is a true success story!
Having spent some time with Pandey, discussing the birth of this alcohol, and having tried it as well, it is clear why this product is so remarkable. He is serious about vodka and is passionate about RR’s success. It was invented out of love for his friends and family – Pandey motives were pure, as is the taste of RR Vodka.
For more information about RR Vodka, please visit https://rrvodkamiami.
