Pouring Now at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

The Punch Room, Presenting a Tantalizing New Beverage Experience

CHARLOTTE, NC--(Marketwired - Feb 18, 2015) - A seductive new beverage experience has been unveiled by The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, marked by this weekend's official opening of The Punch Room. Presenting highly sophisticated punches and cocktails, the intimate after-hours sanctum offers an innovative approach to drinking in a sultry, dramatic, alluring setting.

Reminiscent of the legendary, sometimes notorious drinking dens of yesteryear, and accommodating a maximum of 37 guests at a time, The Punch Room is led by chief lead mixologist Bob Peters -- a multi-award-winning cocktail artisan widely celebrated for his beverage innovations and mixology secrets shared globally on Instagram and other social media. Peters, who teams with the venue's official Punchologist, is the winner of multiple "Best Of" reader and critics' choice awards from Creative Loafing Charlotte, including Best Bartender, Best Mixologist, Best Cocktail and Best Cocktail List. QC Exclusive has also recognized Peters as one of Charlotte's top mixologists, featuring one of his creations on the cover of its 2014 Handcrafted Issue. Peters is especially acclaimed for his inspired use of fresh and rare local fruits, herbs and vegetables to enhance and stylize craft cocktails and other mixed drinks.

Menu temptations at the newly-opened Punch Room include hot and cold spirits-based punches highlighted by the signature Perfect Pear Punch, fashioned with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, fresh pear juice, allspice and ginger ale; and the room's Fiesta Punch, crafted with Sauza Blue tequila, cilantro, jalapeño and beet ginger kombucha. Also featured are from-the-shaker cocktails, infused drinks and several libations perfected in an on-site cocktail carbonator. The Punch Room's complex yet seamless cocktails include the signature South of the Italian Border, created with Cazadores Anejo tequila, Cynar liqueur and Bonal Gentiane Quina; and the Miracle Monk, showcasing Milago Reposado tequila, Mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse and Bonal.

In addition to artisanal and hand-crafted drinks, The Uptown Charlotte cocktail bar also offers a selection of premium and cult wines, along with small plates highlighted by North Carolina Siberian Caviar, Kusshi oysters, smoked pecan hummus, crispy sliders, and seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras.