While driving up to King Plow Arts Center, it was obvious that there had been some serious party planning for the Malibu Red Atlanta Launch event. Rio Carnival-ish fire twirlers greeted us as we approached the parking valet. Once inside, we were delighted by the fusion of cultures from Malibu girls sporting hot pants and plumage mini-skirts. Topping the look off with classic Fedoras, they of course handled check-in. The Flamenco dancers and feather-shaking Vegas-style showgirls were performing racy routines to smash pop singles like LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It.” Our hostesses kept things upbeat as they passed out party favors, including Malibu Red branded graphic tees, miniature flasks and a flashy silver ID tag and jump drive.
As we feasted on delectable hors d’oeuvres, we also sipped on the “fruity fantasy” so aptly named Malibu Red, which is a vibrant combination of Caribbean Rum and Mexican Tequila.
“The Malibu Red is our newest creation. It’s a blend of Malibu Rum and Silver Tequila, about 80 percent rum and 20 percent tequila. You have the smooth, sweetness from the coconut and the fiery burn from the tequila,” offered Sarah Buchanan, Pernod Ricard’s on-premise district manager for Georgia.
“Grammy winning-recording artist Ne-Yo is the brand’s chief creative officer,” she continued during the tasting. “He helped us to develop the bottle and will be releasing a special single called ‘Burning Up.’ You can find the single on Malibu Rum’s Facebook page on April 5, 2012.” –yvette caslin
