The La Flor and Noquila Fizz will be available for purchase at all U.S. locations for the month of May
This May, Embassy Suites by Hilton will celebrate 40 years of welcoming leisure and business guests to approachable, upscale stay experiences. To mark this milestone, all locations in the United States are offering two limited time only beverages designed by team members, a first in the brand’s history.
All Embassy Suites by Hilton team members had the chance to flex their creative talent and craft a signature cocktail or spirit-free mocktail that embodies the brand’s signature hospitality and dedicated service. Team members submitted an array of beverages that aimed to excite taste buds while commemorating the brand’s anniversary. In the end, two drink recipes - one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic - were chosen.
Here are the stories—and faces—behind these delicious, revitalizing concoctions.
Spring Inspires ‘La Flor’ Cocktail
by Harrison Hobbs, bartender, Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
Harrison Hobbs, who has tended bar at Rhum Bar at Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort for three years, submitted the La Flor cocktail, a botanical gin-based drink inspired by nature’s beauty. It features a floral gin, enhanced with citrus and elderflower.
“I like to think in terms of seasons. I love fall, spring, summer, winter, and all the different elements that seasons inspire, especially flavors,” Hobbs said. “When I heard about the contest, I started thinking ‘What would I want if I wanted something that reminded me of a nice spring day? What do I feel? I feel botanical, floral, and how can I bring those flavors together into a drink?’”
Hobbs’ first exposure to the food and beverage scene was in high school, serving as a barista where he designed fun, upscale latte art for customers. Working alongside fellow Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine bartenders, Hobbs learned more about the cocktail craft and critical techniques. “I work with some phenomenal team members who know a lot. These colleagues and bartenders not only taught me really cool tricks, but they ushered me through the process of how to craft a cocktail, expanding my knowledge and confidence to create something that is unique and beyond the menu,” Hobbs said.
"I work with some phenomenal team members who know a lot. These colleagues and bartenders not only taught me really cool tricks, but they ushered me through the process of how to craft a cocktail, expanding my knowledge and confidence to create something that is unique and beyond the menu."
With his manager’s encouragement to try new things, Hobbs built the confidence to enter the contest. Now, he can’t wait to share his drink with guests nationwide—especially with his own family.
“I feel very honored to have my cocktail served all around the country," Hobbs said. “My brother just moved to Oregon, so the fact that he can go to the Embassy Suites near his house and buy a drink that I created is pretty cool.”
La Flor, Embassy Suites by Hilton's 40th Anniversary Cocktail
Makes one drink
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Gin
- 0.5 oz Pomegranate Liqueur
- 0.5 oz Cherry Liqueur
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 0.25 oz Elderflower Liqueur
- 0.25 oz Simple Syrup
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake to combine
- Strain into chilled coupe glass
- Garnish with lime wheel and edible flower
Family Inspires the Non-Alcoholic ‘Noquila Fizz’
by Jose Pereira, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham
Jose Pereira, general manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham, designed the Noquila Fizz—almost by accident.
“I cannot take all the credit for the Noquila Fizz. It was a collaboration with my wife,” Pereira said. “It was about 80% her, 20% me. My wife wanted to have a mimosa, but we didn’t have any champagne at the house.”
Instead, they found some non-alcoholic tequila and peach nectar, which Pereira always keeps at home as it reminds him of his youth in Portugal. They added some upscale ginger beer and limeade concentrate.
“We thought it was so refreshing. A week later I got an email that Embassy Suites is hosting a contest to celebrate the 40th anniversary. This drink is so good that I had to submit it. We called it the ‘Noquila Fizz,’ because there’s no tequila,” Pereira said.
Pereira, who has a background in food and beverage, sometimes fills in during the nightly Evening Reception at Embassy Suites by Hilton Birmingham. He says it’s particularly exciting to have won the contest with a non-alcoholic option.
“Unless you’re in a fancy bar with non-alcoholic drink options on the menu, typically, there aren’t many non-alcoholic choices, so many people stick to juices. The Noquila Fizz is a more sophisticated option,” Pereira said. “We are so excited that our recipe was selected. It’s one of those things that you enter and continue with your day,” Pereira said. “This time it’s almost like winning the lottery because being at Embassy Suites nationwide is an honor. I hope the drink will make guests feel like they are sitting down on a beach somewhere in the world, no matter which Embassy Suites they are at.”
"It’s almost like winning the lottery because being at Embassy Suites nationwide is an honor. I hope the drink will make guests feel like they are sitting down on a beach somewhere in the world, no matter which Embassy Suites they are at."
Both the La Flor and Noquila Fizz will be available for purchase at all Embassy Suites by Hilton locations in the United States, May 1-31, 2024. In addition to indulging in these delicious beverages at Embassy Suites, fans and cocktail lovers can enjoy the fun at home with these recipes.
Noquila Fizz, Embassy Suites by Hilton's 40th Anniversary Non-Alcoholic Cocktail
Makes one drink
Ingredients
- 1 oz non-alcoholic tequila
- 2 oz Peach Nectar
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 1 oz Ginger Beer
Directions
- Add all ingredients except Ginger Beer to shaker with ice
- Shake to combine
- Double strain into rocks glass over fresh ice
- Top with Ginger Beer
- Garnish with tangerine wheel
Cook’s Note
Sub orange wheel if tangerine unavailable
