T.G.I. Friday's® Shakes Up Fresh New Summer Cocktails

CARROLLTON, Texas, June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From the bar that is credited with inventing the now-classic Long Island Iced Tea come four new refreshing cocktails that will surely become legends of their own. T.G.I. Friday's is mixing it up again and inviting guests to beat the heat this summer with new beverage menu additions featuring fresh ingredients and fun flavor combinations. Starting tomorrow, guests at Friday's can sip and savor the flavors of the season with the crisp Fresh Watermelon Mojito, can recharge with the sweet heat of "The Tiki Torch" - a pineapple chipotle margarita, can kick back and cool down with the Strawberry Rum Smash, or can enjoy the latest innovative version of Friday's famous classic, Fresh Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120619/DA26579)
(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060907/DATH025LOGO)

These latest concoctions reflect T.G.I. Friday's rich heritage, which is rooted in the bar and dedicated to offering guests a variety of options for any occasion. From its beginning as a bar and grill in 1965 in Manhattan, T.G.I. Friday's has grown to an international destination where people come to get that Friday feeling every day of the week.

"This summer, we're daring to shake things up a bit with four cool new drinks made with fresh seasonal ingredients, like watermelon, pineapple and strawberry, and incorporating exciting flavors like the heat of chipotle and the sweet of agave nectar," says Matt Durbin, Vice President of Beverage and Bar for Carlson Restaurants' T.G.I. Friday's. "Mixed and muddled to perfection by the best bartenders in the business, these refreshing libations give guests four more great reasons to come in, cool off and celebrate like it's Friday - all summer long."

More about the new drinks:

The Tiki Torch
Embrace the sweet heat of chipotle pineapple in this cocktail featuring Avion Silver Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, fresh pineapple, fresh lime and a sweet & spicy salt rim.

Fresh Watermelon Mojito
This remixed mojito blends Bacardi Rum, lime juice, fresh watermelon, agave, fresh mint and fresh-squeezed lime.

Strawberry Rum Smash
Hand-crafted Premium Atlantico Platino Rum, the brand co-owned by Enrique Iglesias, highlights this ultimate refreshment, featuring lemon juice, agave, fresh strawberries, fresh mint and fresh-squeezed lemons.

Blackberry Long Island Tea
Celebrate National Iced Tea Month with this twisted classic featuring Smirnoff Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Bombay Gin, Chambord, triple sec and fresh house-made sour mix now blended with blackberries and Sprite®.

Now with the T.G.I. Friday's Mobile App for iPhone and Android, guests have the ability to start a tab, keep track of it and pay directly from their phones when ready to call it a night. In addition to the quick pay and location finder functions, the app allows guests to extend the social life of the bar to their online networks where they can share updates from happy hour, check out special drinks and menu promotions and learn about the latest happenings at their local Friday's restaurant.

Smartphone users can download the free app at the Apple App Store or the Android App Market. Pay at the table functionality is available at more than 300 participating Friday's restaurants.

For more news and updates from T.G.I. Friday's, consumers can follow the brand on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TGIFridays), Twitter @TGIFridays and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/tgifridays).

About T.G.I. Friday's
T.G.I. Friday's restaurants offer authentic American food and exciting drinks in an atmosphere that provides an energizing Friday feeling - any day of the week. Friday's® guest recognition program, Give Me More Stripes®, rewards loyal guests with great deals and fun events year-round, creating an engaging customer experience. As the original casual dining restaurant, T.G.I. Friday's differentiates itself with a unique point of view which promises to exhilarate its guests with the feeling of Friday. T.G.I. Friday's, which operates more than 900 restaurants in more than 60 countries, is also famous for its knowledgeable and charismatic bartenders, approximately 8,000 of whom compete annually for the title of the "Greatest T.G.I. Friday's Bartender in the World." T.G.I. Friday's believes in the importance of acting responsibly and as a result its Responsible Business Program is focused on positively impacting the economic and environmental well-being of the communities and neighborhoods in which it operates. For more information, visit www.fridays.com.

SOURCE T.G.I. Friday's