Courtesy of Renaissance HotelsIf you have a fabulous spring vacation planned—well, good for you, fancy pants. The rest of us plebes can make like we do (kinda) by visiting Renaissance Hotels around the U.S., where an exclusive new Bloody Mary cocktail menu means to evoke the feel of some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.
Renaissance (the lifestyle brand in Marriott's portfolio with celeb frequenters like Robin Thicke and Bruno Mars) has partnered with Chef Jose Garces of Iron Chef fame to create the fun new menu, with 10 different recipes each intended to represent global cities like New York, New Orleans, Chicago, Hong Kong, Shanghai and São Paolo.
Behold some examples of the creative libations:
New Orleans' version includes vodka, green tomato juice, green Tabasco, Creole seasoning, and a garnish of pickled okra. "New Orleans is a food culture all its own, so Dat Eye Opener had to have a distinctive flavor," Garces says. "Replacing red tomato juice with green and liberally seasoning the cocktail with Creole spices make this mary smooth as jazz—and worthy of the Big Easy."
And São Paolo's includes nods to Brazil like cachaça, açaí grenadine syrup, and a fried plantain chip for a garnish. "Like Brazil itself, our 'Bloody Paulistano' is at once rustic and modern, with traditional notes of tomato and horseradish mingling with tropical açaí, a fried plantain garnish and, naturally, cachaça," he says. "One sip of this effortlessly breezy cocktail will transport you below the equator, whether you're here in Brazil or half a world away." (If only.)
See for yourself! The menu will be available at select Renaissance hotels nationwide May 10 through 12.