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(TM), 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.
"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."
