From New York City to Bordeaux to Beijing, the Brand is Shaking Up the Classic Cocktail
with Neighborhood-Inspired Twists Celebrating the Resurgence of Destinations Around the World
Renaissance Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands and the brand known for celebrating the spirit of the neighborhood through an unexpected hotel experience, declares today that the Cosmopolitan is having a renaissance this summer. Underscoring Renaissance Hotels’ dynamic cocktail culture, the brand is shaking things up with its hotels putting their own spin on Cosmopolitan cocktails and mocktails that celebrate the soul of neighborhoods around the world. Beginning on the first day of Summer on June 20, guests and locals visiting select Renaissance hotels around the world can indulge in this cocktail bar classic, complete with some unexpected contemporary twists and local flavors, expertly crafted by the brand’s in-house mixologists. With people eager to make up for lost time post-pandemic, Renaissance Hotels’ new cocktail offering provides a fresh take on the drink synonymous with celebration and joy.
“As we emerge from the pandemic, we all have a thirst for connection with the people and places we’ve missed, along with a desire to indulge in our newfound freedom,” said Jason Nuell, Senior Vice President, Premium Brands, Marriott International. “The Cosmopolitan is arguably one of the greatest cocktail hits of recent decades, and as we enter a modern revival of the Roaring Twenties, Renaissance Hotels’ various takes on the colorful and joyful cocktail aim to help travelers and locals discover the DNA of the neighborhood in a wonderfully new and unexpected way. With the brand’s modern twist on the cocktail, there’s no better way to celebrate those missed milestones and the spirit of the locale than with a Renaissance artfully crafted Cosmo in-hand.”
Over at the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel, in the city synonymous with the Cosmo, the iconic beverage gets even more New York with the “One Block Away” cocktail, made with vodka from Our/New York, the neighboring distillery and the first distillery in Manhattan since the Prohibition, and twisted with a dash of fresh pomegranate juice. “It’s impossible to leave NYC without having at least one Cosmo!” said Justine Cerato, Owner at Cotto Restaurant, located inside the hotel. “This take on the Cosmo is sure to be an icon in New York City, and so we wanted to honor the classic with vodka from a neighboring distillery and a surprising splash of fresh pomegranate juice.”
On the West Coast, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, CA created “The Frozmo,” a frozen version of the classic meant to be enjoyed by the hotel’s pool. The drink is cleverly infused and rimmed with date crystals, as a nod to Coachella Valley’s tasty history of producing gorgeous groves of dates (today, the Valley produces 95% of the dates in the U.S.). “We played around with this recipe a lot. We knew we wanted it to be frozen because who doesn’t love frozen drinks by the pool on a hot day? We also wanted it to represent our neighborhood, and nothing is more representative of Coachella Valley than dates,” explained Tony Tostado and Freddy Mejia, the hotel’s mixologists.
Minutes from Los Angeles’ sandy beaches, Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel’s “The Magic Hour” Cosmopolitan was inspired by the city’s captivating sunsets that create the most intoxicating glow. Infusing local vodka, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and house-made blood orange pearls, this drink transports you to that time of day where L.A. is at its most intriguing. “We knew we wanted to blend house-made Blood Orange pearls, California Citrus and a local vodka to put a Renaissance LA modern twist on this iconic beverage. LA’s sunsets intermix hues of orange, yellow and red, so the blood orange really helped us bring the cocktail to life,” said Jason Francisco, the hotel’s Executive Chef.
International Renaissance hotels participating in the cocktail program include:
- The newly opened Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel in France’s “Summer Vibes” Cosmopolitan combines Fair Vodka, Lillet Rouge, Expresso Alchimiste and Jus de Raisin, creating a delicious Bordelais twist on the cocktail, meant to be enjoyed on the hotel’s dazzling rooftop – one of the highest in the city.
- Renaissance Cancun Resort & Marina’s “Cosmo ZEK” is born from a mixture of local elements including sour orange, mezcal and berries infusion. This eccentric cocktail’s Caribbean notes make it an ideal beachside beverage to enjoy alongside the hotel’s signature Orange Peel Fritters with Grapefruit Salt.
- Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel created a neo-classical twist on the cocktail, inspired by the neighborhood’s convergence of its traditional quaintness with its modern fashion scene. “Hutong Cosmo” blends the unexpected flavors of two highly appreciated local ingredients: Erguotou, Beijing’s famous liquor and fresh Haw juice from Hawthorn fruit, an ingredient commonly found in traditional Beijing snacks.
- “Passion of the Street” is uniquely curated to represent Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel’s DNA, mixing local essences of Thailand’s capital with a subtle modern twist. Fresh passion fruit, lime juice and a touch of orange Curaçao liqueur add a refreshing sensation, while the organic sticky rice-based Kristall Thai Spirit’s gin stands firmly as an exotic and aromatic base. The hotel’s artisanal homemade passion fruit-induced syrup gives the perfect finishing touch to it.
All cocktails will also be available in an alcohol-free ‘mocktail’ version.
Every Renaissance hotel around the world features the brand’s signature immersive guest experiences, including Evenings at Renaissance where guests can connect with the locale through nightly programming. A diverse group of local businesses and notable personalities serve as This Way partners, giving travelers a glimpse into each neighborhood by highlighting the style, eats and beats of the destination. For the true spontaneous discoverer, each hotel’s Navigator is on hand to share hidden indigenous gems that travelers won’t find in the guidebooks.
About Renaissance Hotels
With over 170 hotels in nearly 40 countries around the world, Renaissance Hotels is doubling down on its commitment to design with dramatic renovations and dynamic global growth on the horizon. Around the world, Renaissance Hotels connects travelers to the spirit of the neighborhood through its unexpected design, entertaining evening bar rituals and engaging Navigators, extending an open invitation to experience the unexpected both inside and out of the hotel. Renaissance Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy™, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.