Last weekend marked the 11th annual Festivals of Speed in Orlando, Florida. The weekend-long, not-to-be-missed event featured an array of exotic cars, super bikes, opulent private jets, and a stunning array of luxury items, including the Official Festivals of Speed Cocktail Sponsor, Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila, which caught the eyes and taste buds of all in attendance.

The event kicked off with a Friday night Jetport VIP showcase and charity auction, located in a massive aircraft hangar at the Orlando International Airport, with a portion of proceeds going to Kids Beating Cancer, the official charity for Festivals of Speed.

While interacting hands-on with spectacular supercars, indulgent food and desserts, and a live eight piece jazz band, guests were able to enjoy the festivities with a handcrafted cocktail from the Soltado Tequila Gourmet Margarita Station, with their mixologists muddling in fresh blackberries, preserves, garden mint, and tropical fruits into Soltado’s spicy, organic Serrano and chile infused añejo tequila margarita base. For traditional margarita enthusiasts, a sweet and salty ‘golden’ rim was offered, made with cinnamon, brown sugar, and spices.

Hour after hour, guests returned, experimenting with new combinations of flavors and ingredients, sharing in an adventurous cocktail experience. The most requested cocktail of the night, however, was Soltado’s Blackberry Mint Cocktail, featuring Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila, blackberry jam, lime, mint leaves, and fresh blackberries.

Festivals of Speed Orlando’s second day featured a VIP Sunday brunch, hosted on location at the Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes. Once again, Festivals of Speed Orlando’s Official Cocktail Sponsor, Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila, was on hand to offer guests a refreshing handcrafted cocktail-this time, a choice of  a Soltado Spicy Bloody Maria, or a Soltado Skinny Margarita, within the VIP Supercar Lounge.  Both the Soltado Spicy Bloody Maria and Soltado Skinny Margaritas were created using Demitri’s Margarita Mix and Classic Bloody Mary Seasoning.

Guests commented that both Soltado Tequila’s bloody Maria’s and the under 170 calorie margarita were some of the best they’d ever tried. Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes bartender, Alex, said that, ‘in over a decade working in the business’, he ‘had never tasted anything like it’, and commented that he ‘had all kinds of ideas!’ for what he’d like to make with Soltado’s Serrano chile infused tequila.

At the end of the day, over 16 bottles of Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila were served to a thirsty audience of affluent spectators, including David and Kathy Siegal, Steve Harvey, and others, with crowds of thousands roving the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes property.  In total, the event and sponsors helped to raise over $20,000 for Kids Beating Cancer, a local Winter Park, Florida based charity.

If you missed the festivities, here are some of the recipes you can enjoy from the comforts of your home. Regrettably, the pit crews and luxury supercars are not included.

Soltado Blackberry Mint Margarita

• 1.5 oz Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila
• 1/2 oz lemon syrup
• 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
• 2 tbs blackberry preserves
• 2 sprigs fresh mint
• Dash chocolate bitters
• Garnish: mint and blackberry

Muddle all ingredients in shaker, shake with ice. Strain into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Soltado Spicy Bloody Maria Recipe:

• 2 oz Soltado Spicy Añejo Tequila
• 2 tsp Demitri’s Classic Bloody mix
• 7 oz Tomato Juice
• Heirloom Garnish

Stir all ingredients in a shaker, strain into a tall glass, filled with ice. Garnish.

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