Omni Hotels & Resorts Launches "Homegrown" Cocktails

IRVING, Texas, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with Omni Hotels & Resorts' mission to provide an extraordinary beverage program featuring premium selections tailored to each destination, the luxury hotel brand has tapped the talents of five award-winning mixologists from across the country to create beverage menus with a regional twist.  Classic cocktails, margaritas, martinis, beers and wines are accompanied by a one-of-a-kind "Homegrown" selection featuring regionally-inspired recipes based on local trends, authentic local flavors and fresh indigenous ingredients.  The "Homegrown" menu offers cocktails created exclusively for Omni by an all-star line-up of mixologists including Duggan McDonnell, Kim Hassarud, Adam Seger, Christy Pope and Freddy Diaz.  

"We are excited to partner with these acclaimed mixologists for our new 'Homegrown' cocktails," said David Morgan, vice president of food & beverage for Omni Hotels & Resorts.  "From the Vineyard Margarita on the west coast to the Hibiscus Honeysuckle on the east, Omni is proud to showcase the unique local flavor and flair of each region."

San Francisco based mixologist Duggan McDonnell's "Shanghai Gimlet" is a unique combination of ABSOLUT Wild Tea Vodka, Thatcher's Organic Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice topped off with a snap of Fresh, Cracked Black Pepper.  McDonnell, who created Cantina, the San Fran-centric cocktail lounge dedicated to Latin Spirits and California Cocktails, is also the creator of Liquid Think Tank and co-founder of San Francisco Cocktail Week.  He was nominated as 2007 and 2008 "Best Mixologist of the Year" at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, is a recipient of the Rising Star award from StarChefs.com and has been named by Food & Wine as a "Leader of the American Cocktail Revolution."  McDonnell's cocktail creations can be found at Omni's properties in the West: Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza and Omni Interlocken Resort in Colorado.

Native Texan Kim Hassarud created the perfect drink to beat the heat with "Dr. Woodford Bell."  This indulgent, spiked adult milkshake is made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Dr Pepper and Graham Crackers. Hassarud is a James Beard-honored mixologist, author and consultant who draws inspiration from market-fresh, quality ingredients.  Her creativity led to her creating the official cocktail for the 2010 Academy Awards, the "Golden Glamour," served at the Governor's Ball.  Hassarud's cocktails are featured at Omni's properties in the Southwest: Omni La Mansion del Rio in San Antonio, Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade, Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West, Omni Mandalay Hotel at Las Colinas, Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Omni Houston Hotel, Omni Houston Hotel at Westside and the soon-to-open Omni Dallas Hotel.

Created specifically for Omni properties in the Midwest, Adam Seger's "Ponche el Patron" is a refreshing blend of Patron Silver Tequila, HUM Botanical Spirit, Exotic Citrus Juices and Smoked Tea. Seger, who was formerly with Chicago's Nacional 27 and founder of HUM Spirits, takes a chef's approach at the bar with his mantra, "drink like you eat."  He prides himself on using the freshest produce and herbs to reinvent the classics.  Seger's mouthwatering creations can be found at Omni's properties in the Midwest as well as his native Louisiana with some special twists: Omni Chicago Hotel, Omni Majestic Hotel in St. Louis, Omni Severin Hotel in Indianapolis and Omni Royal Orleans in New Orleans.

Christy Pope's cocktail menu includes the "Pear & Rosemary Buck," made with Patron Silver Tequila, Pear Puree and Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice muddled with Rosemary and topped off with Fever Tree Ginger Beer.  From working at the famed Milk & Honey and Little Branch bars in New York to her current position as co-founder of Cuffs & Buttons™ cocktail catering and consulting and in partnership with her mentor Audrey Saunders creating Tar Pit in LA, Pope has been at the forefront of the craft cocktail movement for the last decade.  She was nominated for Daily Candy's "Sweetie" award in 2007, honored with Food & Wine's "100 must tastes of 2007" and named "Trendsetter of the Year" in 2008 by Modern Bride.  Her creations can be enjoyed at properties in the Northeast: Omni Berkshire Place in New York, Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC, Omni Parker House in Boston, Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH, Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, PA, Omni Hotel at Independence Park in Philadelphia and Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh and Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale.

Freddy Diaz's "Southern Basil-Berry Smash" is a delicious and robust combination of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Dry Sack Sherry, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, muddled with Strawberries, Basil and Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice.  Diaz's passion and 17 years experience making cocktails makes him one of the most well-known and requested mixologists in South Florida.  He co-founded AlambiQ beverage consulting, assisting the world's top spirit suppliers with creating great tasting and unique cocktails.  His cocktails are featured at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Omni Jacksonville Hotel, Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Omni Charlotte Hotel, Omni Charlottesville Hotel, Omni Newport News Hotel and Omni Richmond Hotel.

Friends and guests of Omni will be able to learn how to create Omni's "Homegrown" cocktails by visiting the Culinary Stirrings section of the omnihotels.com website for recipes, photos and links to instructional videos.   For booking information, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni. Follow Omni Hotels & Resorts at twitter.com/omnihotels or at twitter.com/omnihotelsPR.

About Omni Hotels & Resorts

Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences that take guests on "A Total Departure" to 50 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America.  From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each Omni showcases the local flavor of the destination while featuring four-diamond services, signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique wellness options.  Known for its award-winning, personalized service, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every customer interaction, with a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program and the company's "Power of One" associate empowerment program.  The brand is frequently recognized by top consumer research organizations such as Harris Interactive's most recent EquiTrends® report which ranked Omni as the Top Luxury Hotel Brand in 2011. To get additional information or book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.

SOURCE Omni Hotels & Resorts