A former ASU student returned to Arizona last week to promote a type of liquor he said contains a natural aphrodisiac.
Brian Kenny, a 2003 ASU graduate, met with distributors to market Cohete Rum, which he said contains a caffeine-based herb that he said can make you "party harder."
"It's my preferred beverage," Kenny said.
He said the herb, Guarana, has been considered a natural aphrodisiac for centuries.
The herb is native to the Amazon and contains guaranine, an ingredient similar to caffeine.
The side effects of guaranine are similar to those of caffeine, including headaches, nervousness and stimulation.
Cohete Rum's logo includes a rooster, which Kenny said is a sign of masculinity in Latin American culture.
Alexander Sosa, creator of the 80-proof rum, made it over a period of two years in Panama. It officially hit the market less than a month ago, and is a blend of Latin American rums in a Cuban style, according to Drinks America, the parent company of the rum.
"We're targeting initially Latin [American] bars and nightclubs on premise and the high, energetic younger 21-and-over crowd," Kenny said. "We're getting a variety of people drinking the products."
While attending ASU, Kenny worked for the beverage industry through Coca-Cola. He said it was just a matter of opportunity that he now works for the alcohol industry.
"I've been with the brand since its developing stages," said Kenny, who helped name, label and select the rum.
Cohete means rocket in Spanish.
Kenny said the rum would be available at bars and liquor stores in Tempe and Scottsdale this week.
Flicka Alvarado, owner of Flicka's Baja Cantina at 2003 N. Scottsdale Rd. said he hopes the rum will be popular.
He's currently selling the liquor at his bar and said he hopes to promote it this weekend.
"The only way it's going to do good is if people try to sell it," he said.
Reach the reporter at shaina.levee@asu.edu.
