Montia Garcia has been with The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley for 10-plus years. As the Director of Marketing, Montia leads the execution of the company’s marketing strategy, creative development, and branding. Prior to joining the company, she worked for local government in Silicon Valley where she was responsible for web and graphic design. While the past 2 years have been challenging on businesses, Montia urges all to remember: “When life gives you lemons, squeeze them for creative juices.”
Read on for our Q&A with Montia on cocktail trends, women in hospitality, and more!
Bar Business Media (BBM): Tell our readers more about The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley.
Montia Garcia (MG): With labor shortages and supply chain issues, bartenders are finding our products to be a game-changing solution more than ever. We manufacture premium frozen fruit purées, concentrates, and blends that provide cost and labor savings without compromising quality or flavor. Fresh produce prices and the time required to make hand-crafted purées may not be feasible for many businesses during this time. Our flavors are also the ideal ingredient for bars seeking to elevate their beverage offerings with real fruit instead of artificially flavored syrups.
BBM: Have you observed any trends in the bar industry lately?
MG: More than ever, bartenders are broadening their craft to develop more sophisticated spirit-free offerings with quality ingredients and complex flavors to offer something beyond sodas, flavored lemonades, and iced teas to menus.
BBM: What flavors do you predict will be popular on summer cocktail menus?
MG: Flavors with floral notes or exotic aromatics such as hibiscus, lychee, and yuzu. The Perfect Purée offers all three, which beverage professionals can try through our complimentary sample program at perfectpuree.com/barbiz.
BBM: Any career advice for other women—especially those in the hospitality industry?
MG: Diversify your career opportunities and extend your network with consulting, brand ambassadorship, a strong social media presence, and other side hustles.
BBM: Can you share some of your favorite cocktail recipes?
MG: In the spirit of the spirit-free trend, here are two non-alcoholic recipes:
Yuzu Fizz
Source: Mixologist Manny Hinojosa
Ingredients:
2 oz. The Perfect Purée Yuzu Luxe Sour blend
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
2 sprigs, mint
2 oz. club soda
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, minus club soda. Shake, strain and serve in a cocktail glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge and mint.
Iwanuma
Ingredients:
2 oz. The Perfect Purée Pink Guava Puree
1 oz. The Perfect Purée Lychee Puree
9 oz. ginger ale
Directions:
Combine Pink Guava Puree and Lychee Puree into a glass. Add ginger ale and stir.
