Move Over Pretzels and Chips: Cocktail Hour Just Became More Exciting at The Ritz-Carlton Bars and Lounges

All Ritz-Carlton Hotels in the United States Launch The Ritz-Carlton Bar Experience

If you’re tired of popcorn, pretzels and trail mix bar snacks at your local watering hole, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company invites you to drop by any bar and lounge in the United States this spring to experience a new and enticing array of bar food and cocktails.

From bistro-style herbed Yukon fries to Jamaican Jerk marinated pork spring rolls with roasted tomato Habanero sauce, you’ll never nibble on peanuts again. The Ritz-Carlton Bar Experience also features exotic cocktails - some even edible - from a refreshing Hermosa Sunset to a Sparkling Negroni.

More than 400 recipes were submitted by Ritz-Carlton hotels’ chefs from around the world and narrowed down to 30 finalists selected by a panel of culinary experts. Included among the bar snacks appearing on bar and lounge menus beginning May 1 are brie and parsley risotto balls with fresh tomato sauce; smoked salmon and arugula egg rolls; chilly water lobster flat bread and crispy calamari in remoulade sauce. “We piloted and taste tested the recipes at our Ritz-Carlton hotels in Tysons Corner, Virginia, Battery Park and Central Park in New York City, Georgetown, Washington, D.C, Marina del Rey, California and South Beach, Florida. We think they represent a unique and fresh approach for our customers who enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our hotel lobby lounges,” explained George McNeil, corporate chef of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

“Customers will always order a classic martini and this will certainly remain a signature drink on our cocktail menus, but our updated offerings include Chipotle Mango Margarita, and Blackberry Caipiroschka. Guest tastes are changing and our patrons often prefer premium vodkas combined with innovative herbal ingredients and fresh juices. Between the new bar snacks, edible cocktails, and re-invented classic cocktails, we think The Ritz-Carlton Bar Experience will appeal to many new customers,” said Bart Buiring, corporate vice president, food and beverage.