Omni Orlando: Cocktail Menu Launch

Ms. Erika Constantine from the Zimmerman Agency graciously invited me to the Omni at Champions Gate’s new cocktail menu launch featuring “homegrown” cocktails, inspired by local trends and regional tastes.

Since it was a weekday, I left my home earlier to beat the rush hour traffic not to mention the pouring rain had me worried on making to the event on time. My first time driving down to Champions Gate, I couldn’t help wonder how far it seemed from downtown Orlando. (In hind sight, I am glad I made the trek down to Omni).

I walked in to an opulent lobby, greeted with zealous hotel personnel and the ever smiling Ms. Jackie from the Zimmerman Agency.

Mouth watering Beef Wellingtons, mini crab cakes, and fresh mozzarella and tomato skewers were flawlessly served while the guests mingled and enjoyed the handmade cocktail creations; kudos to the entire sleuth of hospital and marketing department for creating such an elegant atmosphere.

Knowledgeable and courteous hotel staff took service to the next level; I for one thoroughly enjoyed the pampering. Hopefully other neighboring hotels and down town restaurants take cues from Omni’s cocktail party to shake up their happy hour too. I look forward to more innovative creations coming out of the Omni Kitchen.

Surrounded by 36 holes of golf, lavishly landscaped recreational grounds, full service spa, and expansive pool; Omni is a four diamond resort which is perfect for meeting, leisure retreat, or for Orlando residents like me, an ideal weekend getaway.

The launch certainly put me in a party mood. However being a weekday, motherly duties called; I had to drag myself home.

The Zimmerman group thoughtfully shared the cocktail recipes and photos from the launch so; the people who missed the party can enjoy the spoils in their own homes. Though I highly recommend taking a hop over to the Omni since, their muddled cocktails call for ‘finer’ ingredients readily not available in home bars.

Highland Pepper

Glass: Highball Method: Muddle/Shake & Fine Strain

Ingredients:

1 each Jalapeno Slice
Muddle above ingredients
1each Dash of Celery Bitters
1.5 oz Patrón Silver
.75 oz Fresh Squeezed Florida Grapefruit Juice
.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
.75 oz Monin Agave Nectar

Shake above ingredients with ice.

Garnish:

Fine Strain over Ice
Jalapeno Slice
Grapefruit Wheel

Southern Basil Smash

Glass: Rocks Method: Muddle/Shake & Fine Strain

Ingredients:

2 each Fresh Strawberries (hulled & sliced)
3 each Basil Leaves

Muddle above ingredients

1.5 oz Woodford Reserve
.5 oz Cointreau
.5 oz Dry Sack Sherry
.5 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup
·.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Garnish:

Fine strain over ice

Berry Ron-dezvous

Glass: Martini Method: Shake with ice & fine strain

Ingredients:

2 each Fresh Blackberries
4 each Fresh Raspberries

Muddle above ingredients

1.5 oz Bacardi Superior
.5 oz Grand Marnier
.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup

Garnish:

Fresh Blackberries

New Age Julep

Glass: Rocks Method: Muddle/Shake

Ingredients:

8 each Mint Leaves

Muddle above ingredients

1.5 oz Absolut Vodka
.75 oz Plymouth Gin
.75 oz Monin Honey Sweetener
1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Shake above ingredients with ice

Strain without ice

Garnish:

Top with Mint Sprig

Sweet Orange Foam

Sweet Honeydew Foam

(Topping for the New Age Julep Recipe)

Ingredients:

8oz Orange Juice
4oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup
2oz Organic Pasteurized Egg Whites

Method:

Pour ingredients directly into iSi Gourmet Whip plus Canister*.

Place the lid on and screw tightly.

Screw on the CO2 cartridge, you should hear a hissing noise during this step.

Shake the canister well.

Completely invert the canister upside down.

Last, pour the foam at the side of the glass and top your cocktail.

*an iSi canister is also known as a whipping cream bottle/canister.

Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate
1500 Masters Blvd
Champions Gate, Florida 33896
Phone: (407) 390-6664, Fax: (407) 390-6600