March 31, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brooke Goff
(601) 852-3463
brooke@eatcities.com


FOUR FINALISTS ANNOUNCED IN EFFORT TO NAME OFFICIAL COCKTAIL OF THE MISSISSIPPI COAST

MISSISSIPPI COAST - Four locals have been selected as finalists in the competition to at last establish the “Official Cocktail of the Mississippi Coast.” From a field of over 20 qualifying cocktail recipe entries, the creators of the four finalist cocktail recipes are as follows:

  • Debbie Davis from The Sycamore House in Bay St. Louis
  • Jessy Gazaway from Patio 44 in Biloxi
  • William Hennis from Murky Waters BBQ & Blues in Ocean Springs
  • Catherine Ryan from Bacchus on the Beach in Pass Christian

The effort involved recipe submissions by bartenders, chefs or cooks from restaurants in Mississippi’s three coastal counties. The submissions were then evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of culinary professionals from outside of the region who participated in a series of blind taste tests.

Cocktail enthusiasts will have the chance to vote for their favorite of the finalists online from April 1 thru April 15. They may also vote at live tasting parties to be held across the Mississippi Gulf Coast the second week in April.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast had partnered with Donner Peltier Distillers, makers of Rougaroux Rums, and Eat MS Coast to name a single cocktail as the Mississippi Coast’s signature cocktail, the “Official Cocktail of the Mississippi Coast.”

“We are excited to partner with Eat MS Coast and Rougaroux Rum to establish a signature drink for the region. We think this cocktail will become synonymous with the destination, a drink that’s laid-back, coastal and pairs well with a beautiful sunset,” said Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Executive Director Renee Areng.

“When the project was suggested to us, we were eager to accept it. It’s our privilege to help make this contribution to the culinary culture of the Mississippi coast,” said Andy Chapman, founder of Eat MS Coast. Johnny Culpepper, Vice President of Sales & Operations at Donner Peltier Distillers, the makers of Rougaroux Rum, said, “We are excited to share our premium Rougaroux Rums with the Mississippi Gulf Coast culinary and cocktail community to create a signature cocktail for friends and visitors to enjoy for years to come. We look forward to joining Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast and Eat MS Coast for this venture, and together bringing you tasting parties, future promotions, and ultimately the official cocktail of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”

Tickets to the three tasting parties can be purchased in advance for $15. Tickets include a sample of all four cocktail finalists as well as appetizers at the host restaurants and a ballot.

Official Cocktail Tasting Parties will be held at the following locations:

  • April 10th at Patio 44 in Biloxi
  • April 11th at Murky Waters in Ocean Springs
  • April 13th at The Blind Tiger in Bay St. Louis

Tickets can be purchased online in advance, while supplies last, at www.eatmscoast.com/cocktailparty .Coastal cocktail history is about to be made. Cheers to the soon to be Official Cocktail of the Mississippi Gulf Coast! For more information, visit eatmscoast.com/cocktail.


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Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast is an organization charged with promoting South Mississippi as a tourism and convention destination worldwide. Its mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports and business visitors to the area. It is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry for South Mississippi. To learn more, visit gulfcoast.org .

Eat MS Coast ( EatMSCoast.com ) helps locals and visitors alike discover the best local eats and culinary events on the Mississippi Coast. Eat MS Coast and its sister brands, Eat Jackson ( EatJackson.com ), The Mississippi List ( MississippiList.com ) and Eat Y’all ( EatYall.com ), are locally owned and operated by Eat Cities, LLC, a Gulfport
company. Follow Eat MS Coast on social media at @eatmscoast.

Donner Peltier Distillers is located in the small town of Thibodaux, Louisiana and is the makers of Rougaroux Rums, LA1 Whiskey, and Oryza Vodka and Gin.
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