• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer, September 13, 2016

There are a couple shortcuts to popularity – for example being born rich, or really, really ridiculously good-looking – but nothing can replace the time-honored tradition of giving away free booze to win friends. On that note Absolut Vodka is looking to make lots of new friends on Facebook Messenger, where its new Absolut bot will be offering free drinks to consumers (over the age of 21, of course) in a handful of big cities across the country.

According to TechCrunch, which first reported the news, Absolut fans looking for a free cocktail can just sidle up to the bot and ask for a libation on the house; the bot then asks them to choose a neighborhood and participating bar or restaurant where they can redeem the free drink, and offers a choice of free drinks: Absolut Lemon drop, Absolut mule (closely resembling its Slavic cousin, the Moscow Mule), or Absolut and soda. The bot then sends a code to the thirsty visitors’ smartphones that they can give to the bartender to complete the transaction.

Ever considerate to its dates, Asbolut even offers to arrange a ride home via Lyft for tipplers who may have over-tippled (complete with a one-time $20 coupon code for the Lyft ride).

The Absolut bot on Facebook Messenger is offering free drinks in New York City, Chicago, Denver, and Dallas, with plans to expand to Washington D.C. in the near future, per TechCrunch.

Like many other spirits brands, Absolut is locked in a fierce competition for the interest and loyalty of millennial consumers, who can choose from an ever-growing range of niche, craft and artisanal alcoholic beverages.

Earlier this summer, Absolut distributor Pernod Ricard USA bowed a new virtual reality gaming campaign targeting the millennial nightlife segment in partnership with electronic dance music producer deadmau5. It was the second VR experience from Absolut Labs, an experimental unit launched last March to create “inclusive and innovative” nightlife experiences. The first one, released last summer, let fans experience a sold-out Bob Moses concert in Brooklyn, New York via 360-degree live VR video.