Blake Lively uses Gossip Girl reunion to promote booze brand

Blake Lively is turning heads with a nostalgic twist, reuniting with a Gossip Girl co-star in a new ad campaign for her Betty Booze alcohol line, all while her legal battle with Justin Baldoni heats up in court.

The 37-year-old actress, best known for her role as Serena Van Der Woodsen, surprised fans with an Instagram video featuring Zuzanna Szadkowski, who played Blair Waldorf’s fan-favourite maid, Dorota, in the hit CW series.

The lighthearted clip shows the two reuniting on a park bench, exchanging hugs and playful banter before Szadkowski whips out a can of Betty Booze Vodka Iced Tea. “Good tea?” Lively asks. “Oh, the best tea,” replies Szadkowski, revealing the new Meyer Lemonade flavour.

Dressed in effortless summer chic, Lively took the opportunity to plug the latest additions to her booze brand, tagging major liquor retailers like Total Wine and BevMo in her post:

"Go. Sip, girl. Introducing Betty Booze Vodka Iced Teas – Passion Fruit and Meyer Lemonade – Because good tea is worth sharing."
But while Lively poured out laughs on social media, behind the scenes, she’s knee-deep in legal proceedings. Last week, the Daily Mail reported she filed motions to compel subpoenas from eight executives linked to Baldoni’s production company, Wayfarer.

The lawsuit, which dates back to December 2024, involves serious allegations of sexual harassment and retaliatory behaviour. Lively’s latest legal efforts seek to enforce third-party subpoenas initially served in March.

Just this week, the Gossip Girl alum suffered a legal blow when a New York judge denied her team’s motion to block her text message exchanges with Taylor Swift from being submitted as evidence.

Despite the ongoing courtroom drama, Lively’s marketing move – infused with Gossip Girl nostalgia – has once again proven her savvy in turning the spotlight to her brand, even under public scrutiny.

As one fan put it in the comments: “Dorota and Serena serving tea? Now that’s marketing.”