www.cheersonline.com
38
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MAY 2014
Hard Rock Spikes Shakes
and Presses Fruit
Cured pork and a coffee press figure into two new
popular summer cocktails at Hard Rock Café, the
music-themed dining chain headquartered in Orlando,
FL. The sweet and savory Twist & Shout ($8 to $10,
depending on location) blends Bacardi Oakheart
spiced rum, Guinness stout, dark crème de cacao,
Monin Salted Caramel syrup, chocolate syrup and Ben
& Jerry's vanilla ice cream, poured into a caramel- and
chocolate-swirled glass, and topped with whipped
cream, caramel and chocolate swirls, and—in a nod to
the ongoing trend—crisp Applewood smoked bacon.
"Ice cream is always a big hit on those hot summer
days, so why not kick it up a notch?" says Cindy Busi,
director of beverage for Hard Rock's 180 locations
worldwide.
For the Red Berry Press (priced at $8 to $10), Hard
Rock bartenders place hulled and sliced strawberries,
along with raspberries and lemon wedges, in a French
press. The fruit is gently pressed and topped with
Svedka Clementine vodka, house-made lemonade
and Sierra Mist soda. After the press is delivered to
the table, guests can press it several more times to
incorporate the fruit's flavor.
"Guests get to interact with the press and continue
to pour their own cocktail," notes Busi, who likens
the drink's fresh quality and true-to-life-flavors to
that of a freshly muddled Mojito. "We spent a year
developing and testing these drinks in the United
States and internationally, and our guests are loving the
innovation, as well as the taste profile."—KAM
The Hard Rock Café's new drink menu includes the Red Berry
Press, below, a fresh fruit, vodka and lemonade cocktail served
in a French press, and the Twist & Shout, right, a boozy shake
with spiced rum, stout and dark crème de cacao garnished with
Applewood-smoked bacon.
36-39 morphing summer cocktails CH0514.indd 38 5/7/14 10:38 AM
