NY-based designer Dror Benshetrit has designed the bottle for a new, modern absinthe called fenom (a la “phenomenon”). His launch party during last weekend’s ICFF showed off both the bottle – designed with the intention of reflecting its surroundings – and the beverage inside: an absinthe handcrafted from traditional herbs – including grand wormwood – by one of France’s few remaining absinthe experts. Unlike traditional absinthes, fenom is drinkable without the traditional preparation ritual of water and sugar; in fact, it’s best served as a chilled shot or as a base for cocktails.

Describing his design, Dror tells us: “A mirror has many unusual properties that, when applied to the standard shape of a bottle, give an individual the unique ability to interact with it. In a larger atmosphere, the bottle can capture the image of the entire party from its distant spot on the shelf.”

He goes on, “The ‘f’ also plays with the traditional curves of the bottle. From one angle it is seen as the letter ‘f,’ but when turned 90 degrees it appears only as a straight, sharp line. This encourages people to spin the bottle, allowing both the ‘f’ and the mirror to transform, and providing a playful yet intimate connection between the observer and the bottle.”

To learn more about fenom, including where you can pick up your own bottle, visit fenomabsinthe.com.

*Images courtesy of Studio Dror.

When great design inspires healthy living, there’s not much more we
can ask for. Y Water’s perfect union combines a cool and kid-friendly,
100% recyclable bottle with removable, biodegradable labeling and
a flavored, vitamin- and mineral-rich, low-sugar, organic beverage.
Once empty, the container becomes a toy that kids can link to other
bottles through biodegradable, connectable rubber “Y knots,” letting
them create spaceships, animals, robots, or whatever else their
imaginations can dream up. When all is said and done, parents can
log onto www.ywater.us and receive a free mailer to send the bottle
back for recycling.

The cheery Y-shape inspired the drink’s name, a playful riff on two
of the most commonly asked kiddie questions: “Why?” and “Why
not?” As Y-Water designer Yves Béhar says, “The brand, the bottle,
the graphics, the name … everything is one, connected by the idea
of giving a smarter, healthier and much more fun experience. The
category is so bland, so un-original … but kids are open-minded to
new and creative things, and that is what we wanted to give them.”

To read my extended review of Y Water for Clear Magazine, click here.