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Rich's Bahama Blast real fruit concentrates

It's a marriage made in Singer Island, Florida. The partnership between Crowne Plaza Oceanfront-Singer Island and Rich's Bahama Blast created new business, including weddings, and boosted frozen drink sales by 500 percent.

Jack Zimmerman, asset manager, says they switched to Bahama Blast real fruit concentrates and drink mixes in December 2003 because the product they had been using "tasted horribly and the color wasn't there."

"Guests would have one drink, but they wouldn't order another," Zimmerman says. But all that changed when Zimmerman switched to Bahama Blast cocktail mixes.

"Customers order three to four drinks, not just one," Zimmerman says. "Bahama Blast is full-flavored. The strawberry is strawberry, not 'kind of strawberry.' It's hard to believe it's a drink mix."

Bahama Blast features StaBlend technology to reduce separation. It's also a shelf-stable drink mix, another important consideration since refrigeration is at a premium, Zimmerman says.

With Rich's input, the resort converted an old building, enabling them to now book oceanfront weddings. They also created an entirely new line of hotel children's drinks, including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry milk shakes. Poolside sales of frozen drinks also blasted off, thanks to Bahama Blast.

Rich's offers 13 Bahama Blast varieties, including Margarita and Pina Colada drink mixes.--SBH