MIAMI — MLB Hall-of-Famer and Boston Red Sox legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz is adding a new chapter to his post-baseball career with the launch of Ozama, a premium rum inspired by his Dominican roots.
Ortiz unveiled the brand this week at Level 6 in Coconut Grove, introducing the spirit to guests during a Miami launch event.
He said the rum is made entirely in the Dominican Republic and takes its name from the Ozama River, a waterway that runs through the country and holds personal significance for the retired slugger.
“This is a project we’ve been working on for the past year and a half,” Ortiz told Local 10’s Alexis Frazier. “It’s a rum, 100% Dominican, hand made in the Dominican Republic.”
Ortiz said the name reflects his childhood memories of spending time along the river with friends, fishing and playing in the area. Beyond paying tribute to his upbringing, he said the brand also carries a mission of giving back.
“So I’m working on financing some of the profits that we made with this rum, donate it to clean the river, to bring it back to life,” Ortiz said. “I would like to see the kids have fun, and the childhood that I had.”
The former MLB star said Ozama represents more than a business venture, calling it a deeply personal project tied to his love for the Dominican Republic and its culture.
Ortiz, one of the most celebrated players in Red Sox history, helped lead Boston to World Series titles in 2004, 2007, and 2013, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.
Ozama is now featured at select locations in South Florida, including Level 6 in Coconut Grove, with more distribution planned.
Additional information about the brand is available through the company’s website.
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