Austin, Texas, Oct. 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in partnership with W Austin is putting a "spark" in race fans' Grand Prix experience this fall by introducing a new signature cocktail, the COTA Flame™, as part of the festivities surrounding the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX.
The COTA Flame was designed by Joyce Garrison, the award-winning libationist for W Austin, and features uniquely Texas tastes, including spirits manufactured in the Lone Star State. The main ingredient is Tito's Handmade Vodka, which is produced in Austin at Texas' first and oldest legal distillery. Tito's Handmade Vodka is made in small batches in an old-fashioned pot still by Tito Beveridge (yes, that's his real name!) and is distilled six times. Tito's Handmade Vodka is the official vodka of Circuit of The Americas.
Other locally fashioned mixers in the COTA Flame are Paula's Texas Orange, a premium, handmade liquor with a zesty orange flavor, and Fire and Damnation Bitters, a small-batch, hand-crafted bitters produced by Bad Dog Barcraft. Paula's Texas Orange, mixed with the orange, lemon and cranberry juices featured in the drink recipe, gives the cocktail its warm color and sweetness, while the spicy bitters give the COTA Flame a heated kick.
The COTA Flame will be served at Circuit of The Americas sports and entertainment events throughout the year and will join the official cocktail menu at W Austin this fall.
COTA FLAME™ OFFICIAL RECIPE
Crafted by W Austin Libationist Joyce Garrison
- 2 oz. Tito's Vodka
- 0.75 oz. Paula's Texas Orange
- 1 oz. Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz. Lemon Juice (fresh-squeezed juice from ½ lemon)
- 1 oz. Orange Juice (fresh-squeezed juice from ¼ orange)
- 4-5 Dashes of Bad Dog Fire & Damnation Bitters
- Bar Spoon of Blood Orange Puree
DIRECTIONS
- Fill large pint glass with ice
- Pour all liquor, juices and bitters over ice and shake
- Strain into fresh glass with a few ice cubes
- Top with sprite and drizzle with blood orange puree
- Flame an orange peel
"Circuit of The Americas is excited to introduce a new tradition as part of our marquee event, the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX," COTA spokesperson Julie Loignon said. "Formula 1 races are famous for the international party scene that surrounds them, and developing a signature cocktail with W Austin is a great way to extend the Grand Prix experience from the racing circuit to every living room and F1 viewing party in the country. Libationist Joyce Garrison has created a distinctive drink that puts a Texas stamp on one of the world's most sophisticated sports and entertainment events. We can't wait for race fans to try the COTA Flame this November."
"W Austin is known for its 'cocktail culture,' and designing a new drink that embodies both the spirit of Formula 1 racing and Austin's unique DNA was a challenge I was happy to meet," Libationist Joyce Garrison explained. "We wanted the cocktail to be different, memorable and something that would appeal to men and women. As with all of the craft cocktails we conceptualize and serve our guests at W Austin, it was extremely important to utilize locally sourced products to deliver both a taste of Austin and an exceptional experience in each glass. It was a lot of fun coming up with the perfect blend of tastes for the COTA Flame and incorporating our homegrown, Central Texas distillers. We're excited to have one of W Austin's creations become part of the F1 USGP tradition for years to come."
"As part of a global luxury brand with destinations in many Formula 1 host cities, we were honored that Circuit of The Americas thought that W Austin would be perfect for this special assignment," General Manager Drew McQuade noted. "We know guests who stay with us for the F1 USGP and throughout the year will enjoy this new addition to our cocktail menu, and we're excited to be the one place where race fans and cocktail connoisseurs can sample an official COTA Flame away from the racetrack."
For more information on the development of the COTA Flame, as well as biographical information for Libationist Joyce Garrison and details on W Austin, visit COTA's digital media kit available online at http://circuitoftheamericas-media-kit.com/f1-usgp/the-cota-flame. Downloadable, high-resolution images of the COTA Flame, Garrison and W Austin can be accessed at media.circuitoftheamericas.com.
Tickets for the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX can be purchased online at www.circuitoftheamericas.com/f1 or www.ticketmaster.com. For information on personal seat licenses for Formula 1 events and other motorsports and entertainment programming at Circuit of The Americas, call the Circuit's Sales Team at 512.301.6600 and press "1" to be connected to a sales representative.
For individuals, groups and companies looking to experience the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX race weekend in a special way, Circuit of The Americas™ Official program, Circuit of The Americas Experiences (www.COTAExperiences.com, 866.801.6975), is offering racing enthusiasts a turn-key elevated race weekend experience to the 2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX.
About Circuit of The Americas
Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, is a world-class destination for premium sports and entertainment. It is the first racing facility in the United States purposely built for Formula 1™ racing and is designed to host a variety of sports and entertainment events. The Circuit is home to the FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, which was named the 2012 "Sports Event of the Year" by SportsBusiness Journal/Daily, and is the new North American host of the summer edition of ESPN's X Games. Additionally Circuit of The Americas welcomes spectators from around the world for some of the most prestigious national and international motorsports series, including MotoGP™, V8 Supercars™, GRAND-AM Road Racing™, American Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championships.
Circuit of The Americas' 1,500-acre campus includes a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and sporting use. Its signature 3.4-mile, 20-turn undulating racetrack features remarkable elevation changes and a number of challenging turns patterned after some of the world's iconic Grand Prix tracks. The Austin360 Amphitheater is an expansive outdoor live music space, featuring the largest permanent stage in Central Texas and the capacity for 14,000 guests. The Circuit's iconic 25-story Observation Tower has a viewing platform offering 360-degree views of the venue, downtown Austin and Texas Hill Country. The 44,000-square foot Event Center offers an expansive convention and banquet space that doubles as an international Media Center during sports and entertainment event. The Event Center includes more than 30 broadcast booths, an internal café and dedicated news conference room. The Circuit's massive Main Grandstand features permanent seating for 9,000, a variety of well-appointed suites, and the Velocity Lounge and hospitality area. Circuit of The Americas also offers a state-of-the-art on-site medical facility, parking for 25,000 vehicles, taxi and shuttle bus depots and a permanent heli-stop. For more information and downloadable video, audio and photos, visit: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com, www.Austin360Amphitheater.comor the Circuit's dedicated FTP site, media.circuitoftheamericas.com.
About W Austin
Situated in the heart of the "Live Music Capital of the World" on Willie Nelson Blvd., W Austin opened its doors in December 2010. Named to Conde Nast Traveler's Hot List in 2011, W Austin amplifies the city's diverse and creative atmosphere, headlining the vibrant Second Street District of downtown with next door access to the famed Austin City Limits music venue. Passionately committed to thinking green, and recently awarded Silver LEED certification, the hotel is designed to support a sustainable future while enveloping guests in contemporary luxury. W Austin's 251 perfectly positioned rooms offer postcard views of the downtown skyline, while the hotel's exterior plaza faces Lady Bird Lake and its prevailing winds, always staying cool with Austin's natural "air conditioning." Diners will enjoy Trace, where conscious cuisine is thoughtfully re-imagined as locavorious gastronomy, bursting with an abundance of flavors derived and inspired by the surrounding central Texas region. Socialize in one of the Living Room's four spaces, detox and refuel at AWAY Spa, keep fit at SWEAT or take the plunge at WET® pool, W Austin's Whatever/Whenever service philosophy makes all wishes come true. www.whotelaustin.com
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