Tampa's Bonefish Grill creates cocktail to spotlight coral reef restoration efforts

The chain has backed the Plant a Million Corals Initiative, led by The Nature Conservancy.

click to enlarge The Coral Reef Punch is a blend of fresh orange and pineapple juices, rum, coconut rum, passion fruit flavors and house-made vanilla bean syrup. - Bonefish Grill
Bonefish Grill
The Coral Reef Punch is a blend of fresh orange and pineapple juices, rum, coconut rum, passion fruit flavors and house-made vanilla bean syrup.


Tampa-based Bonefish Grill has teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to help plant one million coral reefs by 2025. Diners of the seafood chain can do their part by ordering a cocktail created to increase awareness of the conservation nonprofit’s coral reef restoration efforts.

Inspired by the tropics, the Coral Reef Punch rolled out during a series of “Celebration Nights” that kicked off June 5 at Bonefish locations nationwide. The events come to a close on Monday, but Bay area guests will be able to score the drink anytime, as the Coral Reef Punch plans to become a fixture on the menu moving forward.

The cocktail is a blend of fresh orange and pineapple juices, rum, coconut rum, passion fruit flavors and house-made vanilla bean syrup.

Coral reefs are vital, diverse ecosystems for 25 percent of all marine species — and one of the most threatened, which is why Bonefish chose to support the Conservancy’s Plant a Million Corals Initiative. The goal is to revive more than a million coral reefs in Florida and the Caribbean, plus share restoration and conservation methods with local communities.

According to a statement from Bonefish Grill President David Schmidt, the chain is the first corporate partner to back the initiative.

“Bonefish Grill and our guests truly treasure the ocean’s bounties,” Schmidt said, “so in addition to our contribution, we will join together in shining a spotlight on the importance of the Conservancy’s efforts.”

Dr. Joseph Pollock, coral strategy director for the Conservancy in the Caribbean, added: “Tackling the challenges facing coral reefs in Florida, the Caribbean and beyond requires cooperation and coordination across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors

“By teaming with the Conservancy to raise awareness of the plight of coral reefs and support on-the-ground action to protect and restore them, Bonefish Grill has shown its commitment to turning the tide on coral reef decline.”

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