The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) challenged 17 of the world’s best bartenders to compete against each other to create an original version of a Pina Colada recipe at the Tales of the Cocktail event in New Orleans.
As restaurant operators continue to recover from the effects of the recession, fast-casual restaurants have received positive marks from analysts. According to Chicago-based Technomic Inc.’s 2011 Top Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report, the foodservice segment outpaced the rest of the restaurant industry in 2010, with the top 100 chains growing 6 percent to nearly $18.9 billion. The total units grew 3.9 percent, which was slower than last year, but faster than other dining segments, according to the report.
Bacardi U.S.A., Coral Gables, Fla., brought back its “60 Second Cocktails” summer program that benefits the USO and its support of U.S. soldiers and their families. This year’s program combines simple and premium cocktail recipes with a program to donate prepaid international phone cards to deployed troops. The company has committed to donate 1 million minutes to the USO’s Operation Phone Home, which delivers prepaid international phone cards to deployed troops to help them contact their loved ones.
Pom Wonderful expanded its Pom line of pomegranate juice cocktails with Lite Pom, a lighter version of its original Pom juice that is 100 percent natural and contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Available in the produce section of grocery stores nationwide, Lite Pom comes in Pomegranate, Pomegranate Black Currant, Pomegranate Blackberry and Pomegranate Dragonfruit flavors. The new product contains the same antioxidants as original Pom, but with fewer calories, the company says. Lite Pom is available in a 16-ounce size of the brand’s curvaceous bottle for a suggested retail price of $2.49.
Patti Stanger, star of Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker" is partnering with Pucker Vodka for its "Break Up and Match Up" program. Beginning in June, Stanger will use her unique talent to pair fun and flirty flavored-vodka drinkers' personalities with equally spirited cocktails made from Pucker Vodka, a brand of Deerfield-based Beam Global Spirits & Wine.
R&A Bailey Co., a subsidiary of Diageo plc, introduced Baileys Mudslide ready-to-serve cocktail. Featuring the flavor of Baileys Irish Cream, Baileys Mudslide can be blended with ice for a summer cocktail.
