Interview with Erick X. Morales – Brand Ambassador and Mixologist for Rums of Puerto Rico
Brand Ambassador and Mixologist for Rums of Puerto Rico
1) Who is Erick X. Morales?
Brand Ambassador and Mixologist for Rums of Puerto Rico. Certified as bartender from the San Juan Tourism and Hospitality Institute, B.B.A. in Business Management and B.S. Mechanical Engineering. As a Rums of Puerto Rico Brand Ambassador, Eric Morales presents and travels to offer his knowledge in history, cocktails recipes, versatility, aging, manufacture process and traditions of the Rums of Puerto Rico for special events, bartending schools, conventions and rum festivals around the United States such as the Taste of Rums, Miami Rum Renaissance, Vegas Nightclub & Bar Show, and New York Bar Show, Daily meal, Star Chefs and James Beard Awards.
With a total of 18 years in the food & beverage industry, a decade as part of the gentleman at the Ritz Carlton and 13 years as a Rum Ambassador for Rums of PR and continues his studies and research to increase the knowledge of the finest rums of the world.
2) Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplish for the rum industry.
Represent one of our newer brand from Puerto Rico at the Puerto Rico Pavilion at Epcot Center and spread the word of the quality and versatility of Club Caribe rum. As Puerto Rico rum Ambassador had the opportunity of lead rum seminars for most bartending schools and associations of Puerto Rico and some bartender schools on the east coast of the United States.
3) What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?
When I start bartending, and learn about all the distilled spirits, and tried everything I had available at my bars to sell and recommend; then I fell in love with the light and flavor rum and eventually as I mature with the sipping aged rums.
4) What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry? ?
When you are promoting rum, in a growing market, at fine places, pairing fine dining, held great celebrations, in a fun atmosphere surrounded of great people. My job start feeling like getting paid for doing something I love and that makes me want turn a hobby into a career.
5) Favorite Rum Drink + Recipe?
My fancy aged rum I enjoy this way:
Coconut water iced cubes and 2oz aged rum on the rocks
I loved Piña Colada
1 ½ oz. gold or spiced rum
2 oz. cream of coconut
3oz unsweetened pineapple juice
Blended
Garnish with pineapple and cherry and a little umbrella
Watermelon Mojito
1 ¼ oz. Light rum
2 watermelon 1” cubes
6 mint leaves
1 sugar spoon
3 lime wedges
Top with club soda
I muddle the water melon, mint and the sugar with a splash of seltzer until the water gets green.
Then I add rum, squeezed the lime wedges add iced and top with soda.
6) Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?
I see the rum industry getting more part of the market pie. I know a lot of ex-vodka drinkers having white rums, and people who like whisky they are having occasionally aged rum. The versatility of rum is contributing on the rum industry grow in the next years.
William Ramos, Bacardi Senior Brand Master gave me the first rum seminars and open my eyes into the world of rum.
Philip Berrios, Latin America Director of American Beverage Marketers gave me the opportunity of teach other bartenders; develop recipes and travels along U.S. and the Caribbean with Showtenders Caribbean group.
Sidiki Roman, Vanderbilt Hotel Banquet and events manager, as gentleman of the Ritz Carlton teaches the etiquette and standards, the excellence of service at a 5 stars Hotel as Beverage Lead Supervisor.
7) What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 months?
- Start my new career as Mechanical Engineer In a Hotel or Manufacturing plant or even better in a distillery.
- Travel to the old world; to the homelands of Scotch whisky, London Gin, Brandy, Cognacs and Chianti wines
8) How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page?
