Sandra Lee, America's Most Recognized Host, Bottles "The Best Time of the Day" in Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas

Fruit-infused ready-to-serve cocktails offer a 'bar in a bottle' for today's at-home hosts

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Mar 16, 2015, 05:20 ET

NORWALK, Conn., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo announces: "It's Cocktail Time!" with Sandra Lee. This beloved phrase, recognized for over 15 years by millions of fans of multi-Emmy-winning celebrity chef and editor Sandra Lee, is now available in a bottle. America's most relatable entertaining expert brings the party home to hosts everywhere with the long-awaited launch of Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas.

Sandra Lee Cocktail Time Strawberry Margarita and Key Lime Margarita

Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas in Key Lime and Strawberry are infused with real key limes and strawberries, pure cane sugar, premium blue agave silver tequila, triple sec liqueur and other natural flavors. This versatile ready-to-serve margarita is gluten-free and virtually guilt-free with fewer than 150 calories per 4 oz serving.

"My endless search for the perfect margarita has come to a happy end," said Sandra Lee. "While the margarita is America's number-one cocktail, it was nearly impossible to find a consistently great-tasting one. For the past year, I have made it my mission to create my own truly delicious margarita. After personally testing and tasting all of the ready-to-serve margaritas and premade cocktails on the market, along with signature recipes from restaurants and lounges, and my own kitchen creations, I'm proud to present my new, absolutely delicious, ready-to-serve Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas and Margarita Cocktails. They make any time of day… 'the best time of the day.'"

Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks business, and Sandra Lee, have a longstanding relationship dating back to 2004.

"After more than a decade of working together, we are thrilled to launch Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas," said Ami-Lynn Bakshi, Vice President of Innovation, Diageo. "As a trusted expert in at-home hosting, Sandra has helped create delicious margaritas that will arrive just in time for Cinco de Mayo and summer entertaining."

From April 15^th through the 4^th of July weekend, Sandra Lee will go on a national "Magazine and Margarita" tour to promote Sandra Lee Magazine and Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas and Margarita Cocktails. Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas, and accompanying recipes and entertaining ideas, will be prominently featured in a newly created flip-cover format in Sandra Lee's national consumer magazine. At launch, Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas will also be promoted on the brand's website, CocktailTime.com; through social activations on Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook; and via in-store promotions, point-of-sale materials, public relations efforts, and a cause-marketing campaign: Cocktail Time for a Cause.

Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas may be served straight from the bottle or used as the alcohol base in a variety of America's other favorite cocktails—from Cosmos and Coladas to Martinis and Mojitos. Easy-to-follow creative drink recipes are found on the back label of each bottle to offer a variety of cocktails made perfect every time. At 26% proof (13% ABV), Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas will be available nationally for consumers of legal drinking age with a suggested retail price of $15.99 for a 750 ml bottle. One bottle of Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas serves six responsibly.

Whether celebrating the "best time of the day" with friends or hosting a Cocktail Time for a Cause event, hosts can please all guests with this ready-to-serve bar in a bottle—and its unlimited array of delicious serving suggestions and drink recipes. When planning a party, be sure to have plenty of food accompaniments, and offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and water so that all guests can relax responsibly.

Strawberry Cosmopolitan	Mint Crush Mojito
4 oz Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™	4 oz Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™
Strawberry Margarita	Key Lime Margarita
1 oz cranberry juice	Muddled mint
1 oz grapefruit soda	1 oz soda
Garnish with a grapefruit slice	Serve on the rocks with a mint sprig

Strawberry Pineapple Colada	Grapefruit Martini
4 oz Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™	4 oz Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™
Strawberry Margarita	Key Lime Margarita
2 strawberries	2 oz pink grapefruit soda
2 pieces pineapple	Garnish with a grapefruit slice
Blend with ice and garnish with a strawberry

Sandra Lee Cocktail Time™ Margaritas. Relax Responsibly.

About Sandra Lee
Sandra Lee, a multi-Emmy® award winner, is an internationally acclaimed expert in all things home, food, and entertaining. Generating over 2.5 billion media impressions a year, Sandra is the editor in chief of Sandra Lee Magazine and the host of four highly rated culinary programs, numerous prime-time specials, and a series of seasonal entertaining shows. Sandra is a best-selling author with 25 cookbooks, a novel, and a memoir. Recognized for her philanthropic efforts, Sandra has received the prestigious President's Volunteer Service Award and is an ardent and active supporter of No Kid Hungry campaign, Citymeals-on-Wheels, God's Love We Deliver, The Elton John AIDS Foundation, The Bowery Mission, Food Banks across America, and a founding member of UNICEF®'s Board of Directors, Los Angeles chapter.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.
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