NEW YORK, May 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Summer is the perfect time to cool down with a glass of sangria, and this year an innovative recipe of the barbecue pitcher drink can help a cocktail buff escape his or her workday and join the world's premiere cocktail festival. Sandeman Porto, the world's leading port and sherry company, is asking drink enthusiasts to get the creative juices flowing with the Sandeman Summer Sangria Challenge, which asks fans to create a fresh take on the emblematic summer pitcher drink featuring Sandeman Founders Reserve Porto, for the chance to participate in July's Tales of the Cocktail festival in New Orleans.
Original sangria recipes and images will be shared through the Sandeman Summer Sangria Challenge tab on Facebook at Facebook.com/SandemanPorto, and the judging panel will choose the best recipe based on taste, creativity/originality and how well the ingredients represent the summer season. Pitcher recipes must include a bottle of Sandeman Founders Reserve Porto, but everything else is left to the imagination and inspiration of Sandeman Porto's fans.
"Sangria with porto is an essential part of Portuguese tradition, and we at Sandeman love nothing more than blending tradition with innovation," said George Sandeman of the House of Sandeman. "We're excited to see how people find new ways to highlight the versatility, dimension and flavor of our Founders Reserve Porto."
Since last fall, Sandeman has created unique sangria recipes for each season, including a fall sangria made with apple cider, whiskey, apples and maple syrup; a winter spice version with cinnamon schnapps, cranberry juice and cranberries; and a spring sangria inspired by the floral notes in rosehip tea that also incorporates cherries. The Sandeman Summer Sangria Challenge is an excellent opportunity to discover the flavors that Sandeman brings to life during the warm summer months.
Sandeman was founded in 1790 by porto legend George Sandeman, and the traditions and expertise of creating the classic beverages have been passed down through seven generations of Sandeman's descendants, to his namesake, current Chairman of the House of Sandeman, George Sandeman. As the creator of more than 40 products, Sandeman is a leader in the fortified wine industry.
Tales of the Cocktail® is an annual drinks festival bringing together the most respected minds on mixology for five days of cocktails, cuisine and culture. Held annually in New Orleans, this international event has something for cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike, with a spirited schedule of seminars, dinners, competitions and tasting rooms.
With summer just around the corner, drink enthusiasts are encouraged to get creative with the crowd-friendly summer classic. To enter the Sandeman Summer Sangria Challenge, participants may visit www.facebook.com/SandemanPorto to submit their original recipe and a photograph of the prepared cocktail between May 1, 2012 and June 1, 2012 (11:59:59 p.m. EST). For more information on Sandeman Porto, please visit http://www.sandeman.eu.
About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs more than 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).
The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu® flavored rum, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila (through a joint venture with Tequila Avión); such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.
Pernod Ricard USA is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country.
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.
Morgan Perry; The Thomas Collective, 212-229-2294
mperry@thethomascollective.com
Krista Drew; Pernod Ricard USA, 914-848-4743
Krista.Drew@pernod-ricard-usa.com
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