Tim Rita in Town

Local Boy Tim Rita Jr, Beverage Development Specialist for the E&J Gallo Spirits Business Unit, returned home for a week to catch up with friends and teach the Hawaii Market about Gallo’s expanding portfolio distributed by Johnson Brothers.
​

4/10/2018 - Pint and Jigger
As founding President of the Hawaii Chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild, Tim hosted a tasting event for guild members to introduce the E&J Gallo portfolio.  The presentation on products showed just how diverse yet universal these spirits are. The E&J Gallo portfolio spirits could easily find a comfortable and permanent home in both craft bars and in casual watering holes.  The lineup of products in discussion included: New Amsterdam, Camarena, E&J Brandy, Shackleton and RumHaven. To help bring the product to life, Tim created drinks to showcase the versatility of the E&J products. One of the highlights was a cocktail which implemented RumHaven, a product made with Caribbean Rum and coconut water liquor.  The product on its own was everything many of us hoped a coconut rum would be: clean, mildly sweet and the familiar ripe meaty coconut flavor most people in Hawaii have come to know. The brilliantly crafted spirit blew many of the bartenders in attendance away including ourselves. Those same bartenders without knowing the price point, all said they would be willing to pay a premium for the product over other popular coconut rums on the market.  It was quite a surprise when we learned RumHaven is actually priced under both Bacardi and Malibu Coconut Rum making it that much of a superb value.
4/11/2018 - Local I’a at Koko Head Cafe
Koko Head Cafe a local favorite breakfast and lunch eatery along with Local I’a, a community supported fishery, presented a night full of beautiful eye catching and equally tasting pupus all made from fresh local seafood caught from Hawaii waters. The night also included three cocktail pairings by Tim. Waikiki Brewing Company provided the acidic balance with their great lineup of craft beers. One of the cocktails presented by Tim included a very local take on the moscow mule, its secret ingredient . . . Citrus calamansi!  a not so secret favorite of Tim’s and a favorite amongst the guests.

4/12/2018 - Study Hall at the Modern Honolulu
Tim returned to his old stomping ground, the Modern Honolulu for a guest bartending gig courtesy of friend and Property Bar Chef Jason Maxwell.  Featured at the event was a cocktail that utilized a Japanese Cold Brew Coffee Drip to “flash” infuse flavors of lemon, orange peel, ginger, thai peppercorn and star anise.  This technique helps accounts comply with liquor laws and/or corporate requirements that do not traditionally allow for infusions. E&J Gallo can aid in the the acquisition of a RumHaven Japanese Cold Brew Coffee Drip to those supporting the brand.  Those interested can call their Johnson Brothers Representative.

Coming soon to Hawaiibevguide.com

• Video of Tim’s E&J Gallo presentation
• Video of Tim explaining the flash infusion process