Hilton Hotels (NYSE:HLT) announced today the launch of "Travel.Taste.Toast." a new beverage initiative that brings innovative cocktail experiences to select Hilton hotel bars and lounges across the U.S. To design the world-class cocktails Hilton tapped celebrity mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, known as The Modern Mixologist, who created drink recipes inspired by exotic destinations, including the sultry Sao Paolo Samba, alluring Barcelona, and adventurous Road to Hana inspired by the cool breezes of Hawaii (recipes included below).
In addition, bartenders at several Hilton Hotels participated in a contest to find the tastiest cocktail. The Hilton Austin's Mirjana Kucan took home first prize for her Hot Summer Night, a delicious blend of ABSOLUT® vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and honey muddled with thyme and topped with Sprite®.
"Travel.Taste.Toast." menus will include 20 cocktails representing 14 countries, including Thailand, Mexico, France and the U.K. Hotel bartenders received an instructional DVD and training materials to ensure that each cocktail is made to perfection.
"Our hotel lounges and bars are a place for friends and colleagues to come together, or a place to unwind with a delicious, hand-crafted cocktail at the end of a busy day," said Meredith Quarnstrom, vice president of food & beverage, Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Hilton's"˜Travel.Taste.Toast.' initiative celebrates the cultural diversity of our guests and our hotels, and celebrates the true art of cocktail making."
"Travel.Taste.Toast." recipes designed by Tony Abou-Ganim for Hilton"The Barcelona"3 oz. chilled dry white wine1 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin1/2 oz. Grand Marnier1/2 oz. elderflower syrup1 oz. fresh lemon juice1 oz. freshly squeezed orange juiceSlices of fresh lemons, oranges and strawberriesChilled SpriteAdd to large wine glass slices of fresh fruit (lemons, oranges and
strawberries), pour in fresh squeezed lemon and orange juice, add
elderflower syrup, dry white wine, Bombay Gin, Grand Mariner and
Sprite. Add ice and garnish with a fan of sliced strawberries and a
sprig of mint.
"Sao Paolo Samba"2 oz. ABSOLUT Citron or ABSOLUT Mandarin1/2 muddled fresh lime, quartered1 oz. simple syrupSeasonal fresh fruitsCut lime into quarters. Add lime, seasonal fruit and simple syrup into
mixing glass and muddle ingredients together. Transfer ingredients
into tin filled 2/3 full with ice. Shake vigorously 8 to 10 times.
Pour into highball glass and serve.
"The Road to Hana"1 1/2 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum1/2 oz. Myers's Rum1/2 oz. Hiram Walker Triple Sec1 oz. fresh lemon juice1 1/2 oz. pineapple juice1 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice1/2 oz. Orgeat syrupPour pineapple, orange and lemon juice into glass. Add remaining
ingredients except the Myers's Rum to glass. Transfer ingredients into
tin filled 2/3 full with ice. Shake vigorously 8 to 10 times. Strain
into highball glass and float Myers's Rum. Garnish with pineapple
spear, orange and lemon slice.The "Travel.Taste.Toast." cocktail menu will be available at various Hilton Hotels throughout the country, including the Hilton San Francisco, Hilton New York, Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Hilton Chicago and the Hilton Austin.
About Tony Abou-Ganim
Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim is one of the pre-eminent bar chefs in the U.S. and is currently featured demonstrating the art of cocktail preparation on the Fine Living Network program "Raising the Bar: America's Best Bar Chefs." He can be seen daily on the network's "Essentials" series. Tony's specialty drinks have been featured in many top consumer magazines including Vanity Fair, Wine Enthusiast, Fortune, Wine Spectator, The New York Times Magazine, & Nightclub & Bar. To learn more, visit www.themodernmixologist.com.
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
With more than 500 hotels and resorts on six continents, Hilton continues to be an innovative leader in the full-service hospitality segment and the most recognized global name in the industry. Hilton's belief that Travel Should Take You Places® celebrates a commitment to the guest experience and to the idea that travel can and should be transformative. Hilton's variety of services, amenities and programs are designed to give guests more choice and control over their stays so they can be at their best, 24/7 whether they travel for business or leisure. Each unique Hilton hotel and resort was designed to reflect the sense of place of its location; each team member chosen to reflect the local culture and community. For more information visit www.hiltonjourneys.com or, to start your journey, visit www.hilton.com available in English, Spanish and French.
