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Ready, Set, Serve: Rums of Puerto Rico Serves Up Hip Rum Cocktails at BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis

NEW YORK — For the second consecutive year, the flavors of Puerto Rico, from cool rum cocktails to hot rum-inspired dishes created by Chef Wilo Benet of Pikayo restaurant and Mario Pagan of Chayote restaurant, both in San Juan, Puerto Rico, highlighted this year’s BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis Thursday, August 21, at the W Hotel in New York.

BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis is the official kickoff party for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. Top players teamed up with great chefs to serve tantalizing dishes to attendees.

As the exclusive spirit sponsor for Taste of Tennis, Rums of Puerto Rico served signature drinks designed by “rummellier” Marcos Mercado at a tropically designed “Rum Court” lounge created by the Rums of Puerto Rico Drinks Team.

Chefs Wilo Benet and Mario Pagan prepared three dishes each to pair with the rum cocktails. They included, among others, Truffle Soup with Porcini Rum Cream and Shrimp and Coconut Croquettes with Rummarind Glaze.

The official Taste of Tennis signature drinks created by Marcos Mercado were served at the “Rum Court” throughout the evening.

“Rums of Puerto Rico is thrilled to be ‘sharing the court’ at Taste of Tennis with top players, chefs and an enthusiastic crowds of fans. This event allows us to show the versatility of rum prepared in creative cocktails and dishes by renowned chefs from Puerto Rico,” said Karen Garnik, chief marketing officer for Rums of Puerto Rico. Garnik noted that what sets Puerto Rican rums apart is that by law they must be aged for a minimum of one year in charred white oak barrels. “White rums, called “blanco,” are aged one to two years; however, the darker rums, called añejo can be aged anywhere from 5 to 15 years. The aging process produces a smoother, more balanced rum.”

For highlights of the event, including soundbites with Mercado, Benet, Pagan and Garnik, click on the video link.

If you are a TV station and have access to Pathfire DMG, video of the event is available: click on the binoculars, select advanced search tab, keywords: Taste of Tennis.

For recipes and additional information, go to puertoricorums.com and moreaboutthat.info/tres5.

Posted on August 25, 2008
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