Bacardi USA, Inc to Distribute TIA MARIA in United States – Tia Maria Cocktail Recipes Included at The Intoxicologist

Bacardi USA, Inc to Distribute TIA MARIA in United States – Tia Maria Cocktail Recipes Included

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. To Distribute TIA MARIA® in the United States

Agreement expands Bacardi U.S.A.-Illva Saronno S.p.A. Relationship

MIAMI – Bacardi U.S.A., Inc., the leading privately held spirits and wine company in the United States, today announced its agreement with Illva Saronno S.p.A. for exclusive U.S. distribution rights to TIA MARIA®, one of the leading coffee liqueur brands in the United States and one of the world’s most legendary liqueur spirits.

Illva Saronno acquired TIA MARIA in July 2009. With an intriguing history that can be traced back more than 300 years to the island of Jamaica,TIA MARIA is made from a superfine extract of Jamaican coffee and a selection of precious spices. The addition of TIA MARIA expands the Bacardi U.S.A. cordials and liqueurs portfolio to include TIA MARIA, DISARONNO®, BENEDICTINE®, B&B® and DRAMBUIE®.

Black Pearl – adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

3/4 ounce Cognac

3/4 ounce Tia Maria

Champagne

Maraschino Cherries Garnish

Place Cognac and Tia Maria in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with 3 to 4 ounces Champagne. Drop maraschino cherry in the center or spear with sword skewer. Try one first. If it is too sweet, cut the Cognac and Tia Maria to 1/2 ounce each. Use Brut champagne.

“TIA MARIA is a natural extension of our cordials and liqueurs portfolio,” said John Esposito, president and CEO, Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. “It establishes one of the strongest collections of cordials and liqueurs in the industry and we know the combined strength of these brands. Our knowledge of the category will enable us to create great value for our distributors, retailers and Illva Saronno.”

“This builds on a long-standing relationship between Illva Saronno and Bacardi U.S.A. that dates back to 1998 when Bacardi U.S.A. began distributing DISARONNO in the United States,” said Augusto Reina, CEO, Illva Saronno S.p.A. “Since that time, DISARONNO has grown more than 78 percent and we are excited about the potential for TIA MARIA to achieve similar success as the category continues to grow.”

Diva Maria – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1 part Tia Maria

1 part Godiva Original Liqueur

1 part Baileys Irish Cream

1/2 part Bacardi Superior Rum

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker; no ice. Stir to blend. Pour into a wine glass over fresh ice.

According to legend, the history of TIA MARIA began in the Caribbean in the 17th century, when Jamaica was in the midst of colonial wars. A young woman, owner of a plantation, was forced to flee her home with her chambermaid. In the chaos, her chambermaid just had the time to take her mistress’s most treasured possessions – a pair of black pearl earrings and an old manuscript containing the secret recipe for the family liqueur. In gratitude and in memory of her faithful “Aunt” Maria, the young noblewoman named this dark liqueur “TIA MARIA.”

Time passed and the recipe and legend were lost, until a prominent scientist and gourmet, Dr. Kenneth Leigh Evans, discovered the missing manuscript. Evans made it his mission to share the smooth and delicious liqueur with the world.

Mountain – Good Spirits by A.J. Rathbun

1 part Bacardi Superior Rum

1 part Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

1/2 part Vodka

1/2 part Tia Maria

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass. Squeeze fresh lemon twist over cocktail and float twist in the drink.

TIA MARIA is best enjoyed on its own, over ice, as an accompaniment to after dinner coffee, with cola or mixed in glamorous cocktails and alluring long drinks.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world’s leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world’s favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world’s most awarded premium rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued premium gin in the world; CAZADORES® blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in the world; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands.

About Illva Saronno S.p.A.

The Illva Saronno Company is universally known for DISARONNO, the unmistakable liqueur with more than five hundred years of history. This age-old tradition is one of the many reasons why DISARONNO is the world’s best selling Italian Liqueur. DISARONNO is currently distributed in more than 160 countries around the globe.

With a portfolio that includes other leading and legendary labels – such as Artic, Zucca and Isolabella – Illva Saronno stands out for qualitative excellence, ability to anticipate new trends and interpret consumer tastes.