Malibu Rum contest launches search for traveling radio correspondent

by Laurel Miller on

Tune in, Radio Maliboom Boom.

Malibu, the coconutty rum that’s like summer in a bottle, is looking for one outgoing, creative, beach-bum-lifestyle-loving man or woman for their nationwide radio correspondent search.
The chosen one will travel across the country attending concerts, reporting from the road, interviewing celebrities, and “celebrating the season of the sun.”

The Correspondent position was developed to find the emcee for the Station Invasion Concert Tour–a 10-city musical series–which will “bring the spirit of the Caribbean from coast to coast.“
As the Radio Maliboom Boom Correspondent, you’ll introduce the tour and musical acts, do video and blog posts, Facebook updates, and tweets. You’ll also represent Malibu by conducting and participating in video, radio, and media interviews across the nation.

Applications are being accepted online through May 15, 2011. You must be 25 and over, fill out an application, and submit a video “reel” that creatively showcases why you should be chosen, incorporating three key messages about Malibu (the rum, not the city). Three finalists will attend training in Malibu’s homeland of Barbados from June 20-23. The summer stipend for the Correspondent will be $15,000-and all the dancing (and, presumably, rum, sunscreen, and hair of the dog) you can handle. Cheers to summer!

United Airlines flight attendants create new cocktails – passengers pick the best

by Scott Carmichael on

Last week, United airlines held an event for their most important passengers, and presented them with ten different cocktails, all designed by flight attendants. In total, United crew members submitted 64 different cocktails, and the top ten entries ended up on a table at Trader Vic’s in Chicago.

The ten finalists:

  1. Sunset-Sunrise : Finlandia Vodka, cranberry apple cocktail, splash of orange juice, lime wedge
  2. Sky High Delight : Finlandia Vodka, orange juice, cranberry apple cocktail, sprite, lime wedge
  3. Friendly Skies Spritzer : Finlandia Vodka, ginger ale, orange juice, cranberry apple cocktail, seltzer, lime wedge
  4. Cloud 9 Cosmo : Finlandia Vodka, Sprite, cranberry apple cocktail, lime wedge
  5. Jack and the Bean Stock : Jack Daniels, Ginger Ale
  6. My Style High : Courvoisier VSOP Cognac, orange juice, cranberry apple cocktail, sprite
  7. Bon Voyage! : Bacardi Rum, orange juice, cranberry apple cocktail
  8. Flirty Smile : Finlandia Vodka, cranberry apple cocktail, ginger ale, lime wedge
  9. Island Dream : Bacardi Rum, cranberry apple cocktail, ginger ale, lime wedge
  10. Gin Buck : Tanqueray Gin, ginger ale, lime wedge

The event was very casual and was attended by several members of the United Airlines management in charge of the in-flight service. As for the drinks, I actually managed to try all ten of them, and found it very hard to pick a favorite. The lime wedge was a very nice touch, and made for delightful drinks.

The winning cocktail will end up on all United Airlines flights with full beverage service towards the end of the year. In addition to drinks, United also served some of the newest food choices from their coast to coast P.S. service.

The winning drink as picked by members of Flyertalk.com and the United Fliers Community is drink number 1 – Sunset Sunrise. If you’d like to make one of these for yourself, here are the instructions:

  • Pour 25 ml Finlandia vodka over ice
  • Fill glass with Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Cocktail
  • Add a splash of Orange Juice
  • Finish with a Lime wedge

Sunset-Sunrise was created by LAX based flight attendant Tita Martin. Events like this show a new thinking within United Airlines, and I have to say that I’m quite impressed by the time and effort put into listening to their customers. Granted, the event was not really open to everyone, but an airline that is open to ideas from its customers is one that deserves a pat on the back, especially if it involves serving free cocktails.

Daily Pampering: Exclusive Delano drink package for Gadling readers

by Melanie Nayer on

Even the most exclusive hotels know where to come when they want to offer an exclusive deal. That’s right, luxe-lovers – today’s Daily Pampering is an exclusive deal from the Miami Delano, just for you.

For $395/night, the Delano is offering Daily Pampering readers a night of unbridled luxury, complete with accommodations, a bottle of house champagne and priority access for up to four guests at the legendary Rose Bar or The Florida Room.

The Rose Bar in the Miami Delano is, well, as elegant as a rose is meant to be. The sophisticated space has rose-colored walls and custom Venetian chandeliers, and exudes a certain sense of intimate luxury that appeals to discerning guests.

The Florida Room has all the appeal that Miami Beach nightlife should have. The modern day piano lounge has been a favorite of celebrities including Lenny Kravitz and Jamie Foxx. Sit back and chill out under the smoky-bronze mirrored ceiling and custom-designed chandeliers before heading up to your room for the night. The guest room’s white-on-white design is enhanced with rich textures and colors that captures the essence of Miami. From the floating mirrors to the billowing white curtains, you’ll feel like a celebrity in your Delano room.

Use this link to book a package. Blackout dates do apply, but the offer is valid through Dec. 30, 2010.

Want more? Get your dose of daily pampering right here.

Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa debuts “World’s Spiciest Drink”

by Melanie Nayer on

This drink is no joke.

The Fire Pit Bloody Mary is part of the Wyndham’s Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa’s new “Caliente Cocktails” and the Puerto Rico hotel is already staking claim that it’s the spiciest drink in the world.

The Fire Pit Bloody Mary’s key ingredient is the fiery Indian bhut jolokia chile pepper. It boosts a ranking of more than one million Scoville units (the measurement of ‘spicy’ heat) and the pepper has been ranked by Guinness World Records as the world’s hottest.

“If you think you’ve already tasted the hottest Bloody Mary in the world, you’re wrong,” said Danna Holck, general manager of Wyndham Rio Mar. “If you’re man-or woman-enough to drink one, we’ll give you a second Fire Pit on us.” It’s a nice offer, but after you use the fire extinguisher (which comes courtesy of the hotel when you order a drink) to put out the blaze in your mouth, can you really stand another one? For only $10, maybe you’re brave enough…

For those of you not quite ready to taste this spice of life, the “Caliente Cocktails” menu also includes an assortment of $10 drinks including the Volcano (a concoction of brandy, sweet and sour mix and orange juice); Fire Ball (cinnamon schnapps and Tabasco); and the Fire and Ice (rum, grenadine, vodka and blue curacao).

Caliente Cocktails are only available at the hotel’s new fire pit – the inspiration for the new drink menu – which is located at Wyndham Rio Mar’s Tiki Grill overlooking the beach. If you’re brave enough to taste this concoction, let us know how it was (and how you’re feeling).

Make yourself a Hiltini in the Bahamas

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The British Colonial Hilton in Nassau is looking for help celebrating both its 10th anniversary and a multi-million dollar renovation. So, every Thursday night through February 25, 2010, from 8 PM to 9 PM, show up to at the Bullion Bar for a Hiltini Night experience. The bartenders are ready to create top-shelf cocktails from the traditional to the unique and will even offer classes about martini-making to those who express some interest. And, each Hiltini night will include a martini-making contest, where guests can compare their skills in the pursuit of bragging-rights riches.

If you miss the Hiltini nights, don’t sweat it. The British Colonial Hilton will have something new every Thursday night this year at the Bullion Bar.