BACARDÍ® Rum Toasts Rising Artists as the Official Spirits Partner of the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards ("VMAs") on CBS

The BACARDÍ Rum sponsorship centers breakthrough artists shaping the future of music by presenting the MTV Push Performance of the Year category, in addition to staging a special edition MTV Live digital concert, hosting the official "Push to the VMAs" pre-party in New York City, and dedicating ad time to performers on awards night.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BACARDÍ® Rum returns for a third year as the Official Spirits Partner of the 2025 MTV "VMAs", taking place Sunday, September 7 at New York's UBS Arena, airing LIVE on the CBS Television Network, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the US.*

This year's programming includes the MTV Push Performance of the Year, Presented by BACARDÍ® category, showcasing breakthrough artists taking the industry in bold new directions. By celebrating the creativity and energy of these rising stars, BACARDÍ continues to honor its deep roots in music and culture, while giving these emerging artists a platform to grow on one of music's biggest nights.

BACARDÍ and MTV have joined forces to co-create a special edition of MTV LIVE – a bold, performance-driven digital series that amplifies their shared legacy of championing music, culture, and rising talent, first airing on MTV's YouTube channel on September 3. Hosted by MTV correspondent Dometi Pongo and celebrity influencer Carter Gregory, the special is set to deliver exclusive performances giving fans a closer connection to emerging talent and building excitement in the lead-up to the "VMAs". Performing artists include Amaarae, Justine Skye, and Kyle Dion (an alum of BACARDÍ's Music Liberates Music program), with each artist performing two songs: an original track, followed by a cover of a past MTV PUSH icon, paying tribute to the legacy of rising talent the program has elevated over the years.

On awards night, BACARDÍ will dedicate their sponsor ad time during the broadcast to showcase these up-and-coming artists, with clips of their MTV Live performances taking place in lieu of traditional ads, honoring BACARDÍ's commitment to uplifting the next generation of music artists.

"Music has always been at the heart of BACARDÍ's story, and our continued partnership with MTV and Paramount for the third year strengthens that connection," said Lisa Pfenning, BACARDÍ's Vice President of North America. "This year, in lieu of traditional ad spots, we decided to donate that air time to shine a light on an exciting class of musicians –Amaarae, Justine, and Kyle are three artists that absolutely deserve to be celebrated on the biggest stage possible and we're honored to be a part of their success stories."

BACARDÍ and Paramount will also host "Push to the VMAs," the official pre-VMA party to kick off the weekend, featuring performances by former MTV PUSH artist & Jamaican star Shenseea and Kyle Dion. The evening will celebrate music shaping the future, ahead of the main event on September 7.

On "VMAs" night, the party extends beyond the stage as BACARDÍ invites nominees, presenters, and VIP guests to enjoy signature cocktails celebrating the ceremony and music history. Leading the menu is the BACARDÍ Moonwalk Mojito, the official cocktail of the 2025 MTV "VMAs" featuring BACARDÍ Superior Rum, lime juice, and fresh mint. It is accompanied by the BACARDÍ That Mango Fuego made with BACARDÍ Mango Chile Flavored Rum, the BACARDÍ 808, made with BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho, and the BACARDÍ Guava Check...1, 2 with BACARDÍ Gold, all specially crafted to fuel the rhythm all night long.

"This partnership is about BACARDÍ's legacy within the music industry and commitment to elevating emerging talent," said Matthew Newcomb, Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Activation at Paramount Brand Studio. "We're excited to partner with a brand that shares our values and goals to bring that mission to life, especially through one of our favorite avenues: celebrating the exceptional talent shaping today's industry."

For more information, follow @bacardi, @MTV, @VMAs and @CBS on all social channels to stay in the loop for all things #VMAs.

BACARDÍ Moonwalk Mojito, Official Cocktail of the 2025 MTV "VMAs"
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz BACARDÍ Superior Rum
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 3/4 oz Monin Mojito Mint syrup
• 2 oz club soda
• 5-6 fresh mint leaves

Method: Combine BACARDÍ Superior Rum, lime juice, syrups and mint leaves in a shaker tin with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a cup over fresh ice and top with a splash of club soda, stir incorporated. Garnish with a mint spring.

BACARDÍ That Mango Fuego
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz BACARDÍ Mango Chile Flavored Rum
• 3 oz grapefruit soda
• Tajin & lime wedge

Method: Fill a cup with ice. Combine BACARDÍ Mango Chile Rum, lime juice, and grapefruit soda in glass and stir to incorporate. Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprinkle of Tajin over top.

BACARDÍ 808
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum
• 1/5 oz Giffard Banna du Brasil liqueur
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange half wheel

Method: Combine BACARDÍ Reserva Ocho Rum, banana liqueur, and bitters into cup, add ice and stir to chill. Add more ice to top and garnish with an orange half wheel.

BACARDÍ Guava Check...1,2
Single Serve Ingredients

• 1.5oz BACARDÍ Gold Rum
• 0.75oz Fresh lime juice
• 0.75oz Guava juice
• 0.5oz Guava RE'AL syrup
• Dehydrated lime wheel

Method: Combine BACARDÍ Gold Rum, lime juice, guava juice, guava syrup, and add ice to shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain into glass filled with ice and garnish with dehydrated lime wheel.
Batch Serve Ingredients

• 6L BACARDÍ Gold Rum
• 3L Lime juice
• 6 bottles Guava RE'AL syrup
• 1L Filtered/distilled drinking water

Method of batching: For batch, combine BACARDÍ Gold Rum, lime juice, guava RE'AL, and filtered water. Chill in fridge for at least two hours.

To serve, pour 2.5oz over ice into cup. Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel/

About BACARDÍ^® Rum – The World's Most Awarded Rum
In 1862, in the city of Santiago de Cuba, founder Don Facundo Bacardí Massó revolutionized the spirits industry when he created a light-bodied rum with a particularly smooth taste – BACARDÍ. The unique taste of BACARDÍ rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous recipes including the BACARDÍ Mojito, the BACARDÍ Daiquiri, the BACARDÍ Cuba Libre, the BACARDÍ Piña Colada and the BACARDÍ El Presidente. BACARDÍ rum is the world's most awarded spirit, with more than 1000 awards for quality, taste and innovation. Today, BACARDÍ rum is made mainly in Puerto Rico where it is crafted to ensure the taste remains the same today as it did when it was first blended in 1862. www.BACARDÍ.com

The BACARDÍ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
LIVE PASSIONATELY. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
©2025. BACARDÍ AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE TRADEMARKS.

*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.

Media contact: BACARDÍ^® Team, [email protected]  

SOURCE BACARDÍ® Rum