The Caribbean is famous for some of the worlds most exotic drinks.  The links below capture only a few of the islands many favorites.  Instead of the usual light beer, surprise your husband or wife by dusting off the blender and whipping one up on of these island delights.

STAGES OF DRUNCKEDNESS (From Parrot Central)

Rum

Rum is a spirit for all seasons--a favorite in tall, chilled summer drinks and a traditional ingredient of winter holiday cheer. It is the drink of romantics and adventurers. It was the pirates' drink: "Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum."

While the simple Rum and Cola has long been among America's top ten favorite drinks, rums are also the base for many tropical cocktails, including the Daiquiri, Zombie, Mai Tai, and Pina Colada. Often mixed with a popourri of fruit juices, these drinks are usually distinguished by exotic garnishes such as orchids. Paper parasols and plastic monkeys also often decorate these drinks, which adventurous bartenders sometimes serve in unusual containers, such as hollowed-out coconut shells.

Rum is made from sugar cane boiled down to a rich residue called molasses, which is then fermented and distilled. Light rums are clear to pale gold in color; dark rums are amber to a rich mahogany in color. Both light and dark versions are normally 80 proof.

Light rums are traditionally produced in the southern Caribbean Islands like puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Barbados. They do not require extensive aging, with six months in oak casks often being long enough, although a year's aging is more common.

Dark rum results from aging the spirit from 3 to 12 years and, in some cases, from the addition of caramel. It is very aromatic and has a heavier, richer flavor than light rum. Dark rum is produced in the tropics: Jamaica, Haiti, or Martinique. While supplying the punch in Planter's Punch and the rich flavor in a variety of tropical and hot drinks, the best dark rums can also be savored like a fine brandy.

There are also 151-proof rums, which are excellent in drinks and desserts that call for flaming.  In recent years, a number of specialty rums have been introduced, flavored with coconut, spices, or fruit. These flavored rums can give mainstream rum drinks a different twist.

Mixed Drinks:

Bushwacher-

Equal parts of Rum, Vodka, Kahlua, Baileys, Amaretto,Frangelico and Creme de Cocoa, blend with ice until smooth.

Rum Punch-

2 ounces of rum, equal parts guava, orange and pineapple juices with the juice of 1/2 lime and a touch of grenadine. Top with a touch of nutmeg and fresh fruit garnish.

Reef Juice-

Shake on the rock 1 1/2 ounces of rum, 1 ounce banana liqueur, 1/2 ounce gin, 1/2 ounce unsweetened lime juice, 1 tsp. grenadine and 2 ounces of pineapple juice.  Pour everything into a tall glass garnish with pineapple and cherry. Float the squeezed lime over the top.

Navy Grog-

2 ounces rum, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce orange juice, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1 ounce guava nectar and 1/4 ounce Falernum.  Blend for 15 seconds with 1/2 cup ice then garnish.

Cannonball

2 ounces rum over rocks.  Top off with orange juice, and a float of 4 or 5 dashes of Angostura Bitters.

Fog Cutter

2 ounces of rum, 1/2 ounce brandy, 1/2 ounce gin, 1 ounce orange juice, 3 tbsps. lemon juice and 1 1/2 tbsps. Orgeat syrup.  Shake and pour into tall glass of ice, top with a teaspoon of sweet sherry and garnish.

Sea Breeze

1 shot vodka over ice with equal parts of cranberry and grapefruit juice. Garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry.

Lady Hamilton

Pour into a tall glass of ice, 1 1/2 rum, 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, equal parts of passion fruit and orange juices and ginger ale.

Nelson's Blood

3 ounces rum, with equal parts of cranberry, orange and pineapple juices, topped with a big squeeze of fresh lime. Add freshly ground nutmeg and a cinnamon stick to stir.

Top Banana

Pour a shot of vodka, a shot of creme de banana and the juice of an orange into a cocktail shaker.  Shake with cracked ice, pour into a tall glass and garnish with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry.

Tortola Lullaby

1 ounce rum, 1 ounce coconut rum, 1/2 ounce sugar syrup, 1/2 ounce lemon juice and 2 ounces pineapple juice. Serve in glass of crushed ice. Stir and garnish with slices of orange and and pineapple.

Island Woman

Two ounces rum, 1/2 ounce cherry brandy, 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 1 ounce orange juice.  Shake and serve in a 12 ounce glass of crushed ice.

Beers Found in the Caribbean
Heineken(how about a "Green One")
Becks(all time favorite)
Fosters(can only drink 5 or 6)
Steinlager
Red Stripe( Jamaican Beer, one of my favorites)
Polar Beer(had some on Sandy Island near St. Martin)
Carib(Made in Trinidad)
Kalik(Bahamian Beer)
Amstel(The Dutch love their beer)
Yahoo Beer Companies(complete listing)
 

Rum  (Fifteen Men On A Dead Man's Chest....Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of RUM)
Mount Gay(made in Barbados, my favorite in Painkillers)
Rum Server
Captain Morgan
Malibu Rum(also from Barbados)
Pussers Rum(famous English rum in the BVIs)
Bacardi
Yahoo Rum Sites(complete listing)
 

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Pagemaster: Mark Messerli, alias Islandbud
Updated 5-16-00
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