Whether you’re in the midst of planning your next Caribbean vacation or dreaming of sunbathed days by the sea, sampling island-inspired cocktails is an easy way to get in the tropical mood. Rum is a main ingredient in the majority of the Caribbean’s best-known cocktails, thanks to the liquor’s origins in Caribbean sugar exports. Keep reading for a rundown of our favorite Caribbean cocktails from our most popular islands!
Anguilla: The Rumzie at Ocean Echo
The Rumzie is Anguilla’s signature cocktail, and it’s only available at Ocean Echo. Ocean Echo’s closely guarded family recipe is consistently incredible, even if the ingredients are top secret! The Rumzie is perfectly balanced between sweet and rich, potent and succulent, fruity without being too sweet. Many versions of this drink contain a floater of amaretto, but we still haven’t cracked whether Ocean Echo includes this addition or not. Every sip goes down smooth! Enjoy the Rumzie on Meads Bay’s smooth sands while soaking up the sunshine.
Turks & Caicos: The Rum Punch at Flamingo Cafe
Rum Punch is one of the most popular drinks in the Caribbean, but Flamingo Cafe on Providenciales has truly perfected their recipe. Flamingo Cafe, also known as Ricky’s On the Beach, is a beachfront bar and restaurant on Grace Bay Beach near Tuscany Resort, which offers peaceful, family-friendly villas. Barefoot locals and sunbathed tourists can often be spotted around this lemon-colored building with coral-hued drinks in their hands. The drink’s gorgeously tropical color comes from fresh pineapple juice, orange juice, two types of rum, and grenadine. Rum Punch is one of the earliest known cocktails, with references dating back to the 17th century.
Barbados: Mauby, a Traditional Barbadian Drink
Mauby never fails to baffle the uninitiated. This traditional Barbadian drink is revered for its refreshing, medicinal qualities. Mauby’s essence consists of Mauby tree bark, cinnamon, orange peel, nutmeg, cloves, and sweetener. The initial taste is similar to root beer, but the extremely bitter aftertaste never fails to shock first-timers. It’s delicious added to rum punch, coconut water, and Banks beer.
St John: Bushwackers at The Beach Bar
The Bushwacker has its origins in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and The Beach Bar is known as the original beach bar of the Virgin Islands. There’s no better place to try this cocktail for yourself! This creamy cocktail is like a piña colada, but with chocolate and coffee in place of coconut and pineapple. It’s delicious, decadent, and potent! The Beach Bar has been THE music venue of St. John for decades - from big names to local musicians, this is a place to share stories and make memories.
St. Martin: Guavaberry Colada from Sunset Beach Bar SXM
If there’s one drink that’s on every menu in St. Martin, it’s the Guavaberry Colada. Guavaberry was first made on the island centuries ago in people’s homes, and many locals still consider Guavaberry the island’s national liqueur. The Guavaberry Colada is a refreshing, frozen cocktail made with St. Martin Guavaberry Rum and coconut cream. Our favorite place to order one is at Sunset Beach Bar SXM, where you can eat lunch on the beach as you watch the planes land at Princess Juliana International Airport. The bar offers daily live entertainment with a rotation of DJs and local bands, and chair and umbrella rentals are available for just $10 a day.
Whichever island you choose to visit next, you can trust WhereToStay to help you find the best villa for your group while guiding you to the best things to see and do in the Caribbean. Check out our favorite Caribbean destinations and book your next vacation with the Caribbean Villa Experts.