'Super fruits' showing up on cocktail menus | Nation's Restaurant News

More restaurants, from independents to major chains, are embracing coconut water and “super fruits” on their bar menus.

So-called “super fruits” are high in antioxidants, which some research links to improved health for their effect on free radicals responsible for prematurely aging of cells. Among them are açai, dark berries, goji berry and pomegranate.

Cindy Busi, worldwide beverage director for the 135-unit Hard Rock Café, said the chain is using berries in several of its drinks, including mojitos.

VIDEO: Hard Rock taps coconut water for healthful drinks

“One of the trends that we’re seeing in the culinary side as well as beverage is the use of ‘super fruits,” she said during the chain’s Global Conference 2011 this week at a new resort-casino property in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. “You see açai. You see blackberries, blueberries, raspberries used in many, many ways. And we incorporated that into our cocktail selection.”

Busi said Hard Rock also has started using coconut water in drinks, such as the Blackberry Smash with coconut rum and muddled berries as well as the Fountain of Youth with açai vodka and basil instead of mint. The coconut water is offered in non-alcoholic beverages as well, she said.

• Z’Tejas, a casual-dining chain based in Scottsdale, Ariz., offers a “super fruit” margarita with tequila, orange liqueur, a fruit mix and lime juice with a raspberry-sugar rim.

• Westin Hotels and Resorts last summer offered a range of cocktails based on the “SuperFoodsRX” series of books. The cocktails, created by Francesco Lafranconi, director of mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits of America, were featured at more than 70 properties and included such ingredients as blueberries, ginger, green tea and honey in mojitos.

• Last year, Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar in Washington, D.C., used coconut water ice cubes in a cocktail called Far Land Fare, which included saffron vodka, kaffir lime vodka, cilantro-infused corn syrup and lime juice.

Contact Ron Ruggless at ronald.ruggless@penton.com.
 

via nrn.com

I still haven't caught on to the super fruits phase, but I love the idea of a cocktail that is good for you.!

Kona Brewing is Now a Subsidiary of Craft Brewers Alliance

 

 

Kona Brewing Company

 

Kona Brewing Company, best known nationally for their three craft brews, Longboard Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale, and Wailua Wheat Ale (as well as lesser known Big Wave Golden Ale and Pipeline Porter), has taken their 9 year partnership with Craft Brewers Alliance to the next level. They are now recognized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Craft Brewers Alliance brands also include Red Hook, Widmer, and Goose Island Beer Company. CBA was named as the eighth largest U.S. brewer, based on domestic shipments in 2009. Craft Brewers Alliance is paying 13.9 Million for the acquisition of Kona Brewing Company.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Kona Brewing fully into the Craft Brewers Alliance family.” — Terry Michaelson, CEO of CBA. “Over the past nine years, we have worked alongside Kona to help build the brand in Hawaii and on the mainland, and we have been continuously impressed by the quality of Kona’s hand-crafted beers and their reflection of Hawaii’s heritage and culture. We look forward to new opportunities to grow the Kona brand.”

The merger will facilitate increased financial, marketing, and distribution capabilities of the Kona Brewing Company. Kona Brewing Company currently distributes throughout the U.S., in alliance with Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Kona Brewing Company already produces its bottled beer and mainland draft beer at the Widmer Brothers Brewery in Portland, Oregon and the Redhook Ale Brewery in New Hampshire.

Mattson Davis, President and CEO of Kona Brewing Co., will continue as president and CEO, working closely with Michaelson on mainland growth of the brand. Rich Tucciarione will remain Brewmaster at Kona. Kona Brewing Company also operates 3 brewpubs in the state of Hawaii.

This strengthened commitment to our partnership has been nine years in the making and provides us with the resources and expertise to take our operations to the next level. They have always respected and shown appreciation for our tradition, culture and passion for brewing exceptional beers in Kailua‐Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.” — Mattson Davis

This means more liquid sunshine, as the Kona Brewing Co folks like to call it, for all of the Kona Brewing Company fans.

Kona Brewing Company can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

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Check it. My latest post at mutineermagazine.com

Join Me and the rest of the world for a #finebeverage beverage on #MutineerMonday: August 30th

Mutineer Monday


The mission of Mutineer Monday is to advocate and promote the fine beverage industry by challenging the masses to “Join The Mutiny” and raise a glass (whether it be alcohol or non) to igniting and inspiring a fine beverage revolution!

Each week, we reach out to our readers, our Twitter followers, our Facebook fans, our contributors, our favorite bloggers and writers, and even our own team — asking everyone to share how they will be partaking in Mutineer Monday. To participate, all one needs to do is indulge in a delicious fine beverage (or two or three) and leave a comment on our blog, on our Facebook wall, or give a shout-out on Twitter using the hashtag #MutineerMonday (and #JoinTheMutiny if you have enough characters). And if are feeling particularly ambitious, feel free to do all three!

Each Monday, Mutineer salutes some of our fellow fine beverage revolutionaries who have joined the mutiny. Raise a glass (and a fist) in the air and toast them with us! Viva La Fine Beverage!

Featured Mutineer Monday Fine Beverage Revolutionaries:

Jacob McKean of Stone Brewing Co.

JACOB “VITAMIN J” MCKEAN
Social Media Coordinator at Stone Brewing Co. and Co-Founder of Beerchooser.com
Website: Stone Brewing Co. + Beer Chooser
Twitter Handle: @stonebrewingco + @beerchooser

Why are you joining “The Mutiny”?
If the captains of industry continue having their way, they’ll turn the entire world into an airport mall. Uniquely beautiful drinks make the whole situation less depressing and remind us that the human condition ought to be an endless Bacchanalian carnival.
What is your fine beverage of choice for Mutineer Monday?
Morning: triple shot of Ritual Coffee Roasters Double Rainbow espresso. Mid-day: tall, ice-cold glass of agua de Flor de Jamaica. After work: the new Green Flash/St. Feuillien collaboration Bière De L’Amitié. Nightcap: Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 Year Old, on a couple of rocks.

Carla Companion "The Beer Babe"

CARLA JEAN COMPANION
Craft Beer Blogger
Website: The Beer Babe’s Brew Reviews
Twitter Handle: @beerbabe

Why are you joining “The Mutiny”?
Because everyone needs a little mutinous influence in their lives. What is life for, if not adventure, a touch of recklessness and having really juicy stories to tell later?
What is your fine beverage of choice for Mutineer Monday?
My beverage of choice will be “Bass Ackwards Blueberry Ale” from Sebago Brewing Co. in Portland, ME because they made it with attitude – by adding the fresh Maine blueberries into the fermenter instead of using artificial/natural flavorings added after the fact like other blueberry ales. Its been a “bass-akwards” Monday, so it seems fitting.

Andrew Lazorchak of Wine Soiree

ANDREW LAZORCHAK
Managing Director/Designer/ of Soiree Wine Decanter
Website: WineSoiree
Twitter Handle: @winesoiree

Why are you joining “The Mutiny”?
I believe in gonzo journalism and the Situationist International. These applications of journalism and media surfing are the unpaved and revolutionary path that we are blazing with every tweet and social media twitch. The Mutiny is hopefully the wolfpack that can bind us and further cement our movement through exploration of great food and drink and lifestyle.
What is your fine beverage of choice for Mutineer Monday?
Right now my choice is TJ’s Sumatra finely ground and brewed in a drip coffee maker. (it’s monday decadence comes to easy, I’m still waking up.)

Arianna Armstrong

ARIANNA ARMSTRONG
Arianna, The Most Awesome. Although plain ol’ “Arianna” will do.
Website: Grape Smart + Food Truck Times + Mutineer Blog Contributor
Twitter Handle: @AriannaLA + @GrapeSmart

Why are you joining “The Mutiny”?
I’m an alcoholic pirate.
What is your fine beverage of choice for Mutineer Monday?
A pint of Bell’s Oberon from Kalamazoo, MI. “A spicy and fruity American Wheat Ale, that is the color and scent of a sunny afternoon.” I’m a happy girl.

Schneider Mike of Belching Monkey

SCHNEIDER, MIKE
Host and Chief Shenanigans Officer
Website: Belching Monkey
Twitter Handle: @belchingmonkey + @schneidermike

Why are you joining “The Mutiny”?
Life is too short to drink swill. A longer answer is that I am never satisfied with hitting the plateau. There is always another peak. I want to help people understand that beer is a complex beverage and not one that we should just chill and kick back. Beer is to be romanced. I want to show that beer is full of interesting character and characters and bottles, casks and taps actually contain magic.
What is your fine beverage of choice for Mutineer Monday?
I am on an Anderson Valley Brewing Company kick, so let’s go with the incomparable Boont Amber.

Cheryl Harrison

CHERYL HARRISON
Columbus, Ohio’s Favorite Lush
Website: Tapped In TV + Being Cheryl + Greatest City of All
Twitter Handle: @CherylHarrison

Why are you joining “The Mutiny”?
Anyone who is into good beer is a-ok in my book.
What is your fine beverage of choice for Mutineer Monday?
Bell’s Two Hearted, because that’s what’s left in my fridge.

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Umm I hate to be lame, but with mega deadlines this week, my fine beverage of choice today is Verona blend Starbucks coffee with cream and a little vanilla. Promise to step it up next monday.