McLean, Va. – May 27, 2015 –Hilton Worldwide Hotels & Resorts mixologists have been making a splash with guests since the global hospitality company's inception in 1920. Part of the splash has included creating cocktails some of which have been made famous at hotels and resorts around the world, all with an interesting history.

Caribe Hilton – Piña Colada

On August 15, 2014, Caribe Hilton celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Piña Colada and its place in history as the island resort where the popular, official drink of Puerto Rico was born. 

The Piña Colada was originally created at Caribe Hilton in 1954 by Ramón "Monchito" Marrero, during his days as a bartender at the resort*.  After three months of experimentation, Monchito finally settled on the piña colada mixture he felt captured the true flavor of Puerto Rico.  He continued to serve the drink at Caribe Hilton for 35 years until his retirement in 1989, and left quite the legacy, as in 1978 Puerto Rico named the Piña Colada its official national drink.   Caribe Hilton's famed Original Piña Colada recipe is a great way to get a taste of Puerto Rico. 

Ingredients:

2 ounces white rum 1 ounce coconut cream 1 ounce heavy cream 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice ½ cup of crushed ice

Directions:

Add the rum, cream of coconut, cream and pineapple juice in a blender. Add the ice and blend until smooth for about 15 seconds. Serve in a 12-ounce glass. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.

* In 2004, Caribe Hilton was presented with a proclamation signed by Puerto Rico Governor Sila María Calderón supporting the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Piña Colada. As part of the proclamation, Ramón “Monchito” Marrero is recognized as having created the Piña Colada in 1954 while working as a bartender at Caribe Hilton. 

Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa – Blue Hawaii Cocktail

The Blue Hawaii cocktail was born at Hilton Hawaiian Village, created by bartender Harry Yee.

In 1957, a sales representative of Dutch distiller Bols, asked legendary bartender Yee to design a drink that featured their blue color of Curacao liqueur. After experimenting with several variations, Harry settled on a version somewhat different than the most popular version today, but with the signature blue color, pineapple wedge, and cocktail umbrella. It was Yee who named the cocktail that shares its name with the 1961 Elvis Presley film.

There are numerous variations of this recipe, many using Creme de Coconut, but this is the authentic recipe.

Ingredients:

3/4 ounce light rum 3/4 ounce vodka 1/2 ounce blue curacao 3 ounce pineapple juice 1 ounce sweet & sour mix

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix well. If using ice, mix the ingredients in a blender. Serve in a tall glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cherry

The Roosevelt, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Sazerac Cocktail and Ramos Gin Fizz

New Orleans is known for libations and The Roosevelt, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has been an important part of popularizing the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz.  Hotel mixologist and historian Russ Bergeron tells the tale of the official drink of the city of New Orleans and Mardi Gras which is served at The Sazerac Bar, a fixture in The Roosevelt since 1949. The Sazerac's history traces back to the 1800's when Antoine Amedie Peychaud (who owned an apothecary on Royal Street) made Peychaud bitters from an old family recipe.  He was also a lover of fine French Cognac that was available at the time, Sazerac, so he created the Sazerac cocktail with the addition of a sugar cube and Herbsaint (better known as Absinthe).

Ingredients:

1 sugar cube  3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters  1 1/2 ounces of Sazerac Rye Whiskey  1/4 ounce Herbsaint ( Absinthe)  Lemon peel, for garnish

Directions:

Pack an Old-Fashioned glass with ice.In a second Old-Fashioned glass place a sugar cube and add 3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube. Add the 1 1/2 ounces of Sazerac Rye Whiskey to the Peychaud's Bitters and sugar.  Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with 1/4 ounce of Herbsaint, then discard the remaining Herbsaint.  Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with lemon peel. Be sure to strain the mixture.  You can use any good 6 - 8 year old Rye Whiskey such as Jim Beam or Rittenhouse. You can also substitute simple syrup for the sugar cube.

Ramos Gin Fizz The Ramos Gin Fizz was invented in 1888 by Henry Charles Ramos. At the time, Henry was working at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon on Gravier Street, just a few blocks from The Roosevelt. The drink was an instant smash and the success of the drink allowed Mr. Ramos to open his own bar. From the 1890s up until the Volstead Act was implemented, Ramos' Bar was only rivaled by the Sazerac Bar (at the time still in the French Quarter). When Prohibition went into effect, Henry closed his doors for good. Several years later, he was in declining health and agreed to an interview with the local newspaper (then called the New Orleans Item-Tribune). During the interview he shared the recipe with the reporter firmly believing that Prohibition would never be repealed and that his drink would never be made in the United States again. Ramos died in 1928. Instead of a typical obituary in the paper, the interview was published and everyone who read it now knew the famous recipe. When Prohibition was repealed in 1933, Ramos' son sold the rights of the drink to Seymour Weiss, the owner of the Roosevelt Hotel. It became even more famous when Weiss' friend Huey Long flew Sam Guarino, the head bartender at the Roosevelt up to the New Yorker Hotel in New York City to teach their staff how to make it.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoonful powdered sugar 3 or 4 drops of orange flower water 1/2 lime juice 1/2 lemon juice 1 jigger of old Tom gin (a sweet gin is preferable) The white of 1 egg 1/2 glass of crushed ice About (2) tablespoonnsful of rich milk or cream 1 ounce of seltzer water

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together shake well and strain.

Conrad New York – Prosecco & Ice Pop Cocktails

The Loopy Doopy rooftop bar emphasizes timeless cocktail elements and a modern approach to revelry. Prosecco is available fresh from the tap and the signature “Prosecco and Popsicle” will quench summer thirst with boozy, house-made ice pops for dipping into a bubbly glass. Back by an overwhelming popular demand, Loopy Doopy, Conrad New York's Rooftop Bar, offers people's pops outdoor refreshment. Flavors rotate throughout the season but guest enjoy the bubbly and refreshing drink while admiring the view of the statue of liberty and Hudson River.

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and MYTH Bar

MYTH Bar captures the nostalgic spirit of the famous sisters and their love of the water with high fashion vintage photography. Located in the lobby of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, MYTH Bar has an extensive menu of specialty cocktails which continues to bring the story of the Bonnet Sisters to life. 

"The Innocence," made of gold-flaked Cointreau Pearls topped with Champagne, tells a story of a time when life was simple, free and innocent. 

The "Campfire," made of High West Whiskey, Sweet Water, Choco Bitters and garnished with Roasted Marshmallow, brings memories back of gathering around a roaring campfire as a favorite pastime of the Bonnet Sisters during their summers spent languishing beside enchanted waters. 

The "Water Goddess," with Herb Infused Vodka, Dry Champagne, shaken, not stirred and garnished with caviar-stuffed olives, takes one back to the Bonnet Sisters swimming, swearing they were goddesses of the water, a rumor they would not refute. 

Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort-  Original Tequila Sunrise

It was circa late 1930s or early 1940s, when a gentleman by the name of Gene Sulit came to work for the Arizona Biltmore, a resort that was then, and still is, considered Arizona's Grand Dame and a playground for celebrities and the rich and famous. Gene held a variety of positions in food and beverage at the famed resort. Those who remember Gene, said his true passion was bartending because it gave him an opportunity to meet and mingle with resort guests as well as develop original concoctions. As the legend recalls, a loyal longtime repeat guest had returned to the Arizona Biltmore for vacation to soak up the desert sunshine Having met Gene on prior visits, the guest told Gene he loved tequila, but was looking for a refreshing beverage to enjoy poolside and asked Gene to surprise him. By blending soda and tequila with Crème de Cassis and fresh lime juice, Gene created the foundation for what was to become Tequila Sunrise, an iconic cocktail made famous in songs, movies and American pop culture.  

Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces tequila Juice of 1/2 lime Club soda 3/4 ounce creme de cassis Lime wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish

Directions: Pour the tequila and lime juice into a collins glass filled with ice. Fill with club soda. Pour the creme de cassis into the drink (it will sink to the bottom).Garnish with a lime wheel and cherry.  

The Beverly Hilton – Mai Tai

The story of the Mai Tai began in 1934 when the ebullient Vic "The Trader" Bergeron built a cozy little saloon on San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, California that he called Hinky Dinks.  After embarking on an adventure to Cuba to refine his skills as a bartender and explore the subtleties of rums from around the world, The Trader eventually landed in Hawaii and completely immersed himself in island living and culture. Upon his return home his objective was clear: inject the spirit of the island into our everyday lives. Then one day in 1944, a bit of serendipity happened that would place The Trader at the forefront of rum-soaked cocktail mixology earning him a place in history. He pulled down a bottle of 17-year-old Jamaican Rum from the bar, added a squeeze of lime, a dash of rock candy syrup, a splash of orange curacao, some French orgeat, and poured the concoction over cracked ice. He handed it to a friend who immediately exclaimed, "It's Mai Tai Roa Ae!" (Tahitian for "Out of this world - the best!"), and the first Mai Tai was born - Paradise In A Glass™.

While the Mai Tai was not invented at The Beverly Hilton, the Trader Vic's restaurant at the iconic hotel certainly put it on the map. Frequented by celebrities and Beverly Hills' socialites, including Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Trader Vic's Mai Tai quickly became one of the most popular drinks in Hollywood.

Ingredients:

2 ounces aged rum 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice, juiced lime half reserved 1/2 ounce orange curaçao 1/4 ounce Rich Simple Syrup, also known as rock candy syrup 1/4 ounce orgeat 1 cup crushed ice 1 mint sprig, for garnish

Directions: Combine all ingredients except the mint sprig in a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and pour the entire contents into a double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with the juiced lime half and a mint sprig.

Whatever your taste, Hilton Worldwide Hotels & Resort mixologists around the globe continue to provide the light and warmth of hospitality but providing guests with cocktails of their choice, some famous, some traditional but nonetheless delicious.

About Hilton Worldwide Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 95 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company's portfolio of twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,350 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 720,000 rooms in 94 countries and territories, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio - A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, flickr.com/hiltonworldwide, and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.