Grapefruit is Hollywood’s new “it” flavor. In fact, Jesse Tyler Ferguson recently teamed up with Absolut to celebrate the launch of the brand’s latest addition to its iconic citrus portfolio – Absolut Grapefruit – and he couldn’t be more psyched about the drink.
“I’ve loved Absolut for quite some time. Since I’ve been 21, I have been aware of Absolut and I also just love all the work that they’ve done. They’ve been such a strong voice in promoting inclusivity and equality and diversity with the LGBTQ community, and they’ve been so present in that part of my life,” Ferguson tells Us Weekly exclusively. “So I was really excited to get to know them as a brand and work with them on this project.”
While TV audiences best know Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett on ABC’s Modern Family, the actor, 42, also co-runs a food blog with his pal Julie Tanous called Julie & Jesse, so he knows a thing or two about crafting good recipes. “I’m a big fan of grapefruit, it’s the flavor I gravitate towards whether it’s in a candy or in a seltzer. I just love grapefruit flavor,” he says, noting that he’s already used Absolut Grapefruit to make a cosmopolitan.
“I love developing recipes, that’s my thing. I’m all about trying to figure out interesting ways to use the product, so I did try a cosmopolitan with the cranberry and the grapefruit,” he explains. “It was really nice and the grapefruit added an extra punch to it.”
Like any foodie worth his salt, Ferguson acknowledged his interest in thinking up recipes extends beyond cocktails. “I’ll be in a restaurant and I’ll have something I love and I’ll think, ‘What else can we do with this flavor?’ It’s a great creative outlet for me.”
When he’s not developing recipes of his own, Ferguson spends time with some of his foodie friends, including Chrissy Teigen (and John Legend). He often looks to them for inspiration. “I was actually just looking through [Teigen’s] book the other day,” he said, noting that while many of the recipes aren’t exactly healthy, they do make for “good” indulgences. And even though he has yet to cook with Teigen and Legend, Ferguson tells Us he has prepared a meal for the couple, which they “seemed to have liked.”
What’s more? Ferguson was “thrilled” when Legend officially became an EGOT winner after nabbing an Emmy on September 9 for his role in Jesus Christ Superstar. “They’re a really sweet, humble couple and I couldn’t imagine a nicer guy getting this honor,” Ferguson tells Us. “At this point now, he’s won all the awards there are to win!”
