BACARDI(R) Introduces the First Authentic Ready-To-Drink Mojito Cocktail

MIAMI, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BACARDI(R) rum, the world's favorite rum, has launched The BACARDI(R) Classic Cocktail Mojito, a ready-to-serve cocktail made with BACARDI Superior Rum, natural lime and mint flavors. It takes the guesswork out of preparation, delivering an authentic BACARDI mojito cocktail that can be enjoyed anywhere.

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The BACARDI Classic Cocktail Mojito is perfect for home entertaining or for any social occasion. Simply pour over ice in your favorite highball glass to serve the perfect classic mojito, today one of the most popular -- and legendary -- cocktails.

The BACARDI Classic Cocktail Mojito package features a distinctive green cap and light and "refreshing" design. The 15-percent alcohol-by-volume (30 proof) ready-to-drink cocktail has a suggested retail price ranging from $19.99 and up for a 1.75-liter, soon to be followed by a 750-ml size.

"The BACARDI Classic Cocktail Mojito delivers real mojito taste in a ready-to-drink package," said Joe Metevier, brand director, Bacardi Traditional Rums. "It reinforces our position as the leader in mojito cocktails through executions in all major adult beverage categories including the Original BACARDI Mojito featuring BACARDI Superior Rum now our pre-mixed, ready-to-drink option The BACARDI Classic Cocktail Mojito."

In the late 1500s English pirate Sir Richard Drake, subordinate to Captain Sir Francis Drake, prepared the first version of a drink combining aguardiente (the crude forerunner of rum) mixed with sugar, lime and mint known as the Draque, Drak or Droc.

In 1862 BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi began producing BACARDI Rum, the world's first light bodied rum, in Santiago de Cuba. It was around that time the official recipe for the Draque was altered replacing the aguardiente with rum and thus creating the Mojito.

The BACARDI Classic Cocktail Mojito offers the ultimate in flavor, convenience and true brand heritage dating back to the mid 1800's when BACARDI rum was first used to make the mojito. For more information, please visit www.BACARDI.com.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import, sales and marketing arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI(R) rum, the world's number-one selling rum; GREY GOOSE(R) vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S(R) Scotch whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) gin, the fastest-growing gin in the spirits industry; CAZADORES(R) blue agave tequila, one of the top-selling 100 percent blue agave tequilas worldwide; MARTINI & ROSSI(R) vermouth, the world-leader in vermouth; and other leading brands.

    For additional information:

    Cortney Silverman, Senior Account Executive
    Corbin & Associates, LTD.
    212/246-3586 / Cortney@corbinpr.com

    Joe Gerbino, Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
    BACARDI U.S.A., INC.
    305/573-8600 ext. 1421 / jgerbino@bacardi.com

    THIRSTY FOR LIFE? DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

(C)2008 BACARDI AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI & COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDI U.S.A., INC., MIAMI, FL. DISTILLED SPIRITS SPECIALTY -- 15% ALC. BY VOL.