Where are the best Liquor Buys in the Caribbean?

On St. Maarten/St. Martin, of course!!!

Following are the where, when, what and how much liquor we took home December 14th, 2008: on Dec 08

Ray drove to the Ma Doudou factory shack in Cul-de-Sac to buy a few liter bottles. Each painted liter bottle of 30% punch au rhum cost 10?, just like a year earlier. Ray had a couple of free Ma Doudou shots before deciding to buy 3 liter bottles: one bottle of Banane/Vanille for our older daughter, one bottle of Banane/Vanille for Vlasta and "only" one bottle of Bois Bandé for Ray; btw, bois = wood and bandé = erection, it's supposedly the local viagra. Ray also bought a 0.5L painted plastic bottle of Banane/Vanille (8?) for a neighbor/friend. The 4 bottles totaled 38? or $49 (1?=$1.29). When Ray paid it with euro he asked the mademoiselle with a huge grin if he had purchased enough to merit a free bottle. At first she was reluctant but then she smiled back and gave him a 3CL glass bottle of coco 'punch au rhum' as a gift. Merci beaucoup! That bottle (empty) was recycled before we left SXM.

The Ma Doudou liter bottles were plastic and weighed quite a bit less than glass bottles. Breakage was also not an issue in our checked luggage but a little bit of Ma Doudou seeped out of one. No harm was done though since we had wrapped the bottles in plastic bags.
Btw, Ray saw 1L painted plastic bottles of Ma Doudou sell for less in Philipsburg than at the Ma Doudou shack.

Главный ликер острова

Гуаваберри или Ромберри - это местные имена плодов Мирциарии флорибунды, на которых и делается ликер Гуаваберри.

Guavaberry liqueur is one of the most unique examples of this universal endeavor. Made in a number of places in the Caribbean, the concoction is usually associated with St. Maarten, where it's considered the national drink.

The Plant

Contrary to its name, the guavaberry isn't related to guava at all. It's actually a closer relative to clove and eucalyptus. Guavaberry trees grow wild in the Caribbean islands and a few areas of South and Central America. The fruits, sometimes called rumberries, have also been introduced to Florida, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the Philippines.

Because the trees grow best in rocky, difficult terrain, and their fruit grows out of reach, harvesting the berries is challenging. High winds and insects can lessen the amount of fruit the trees produce; in fact, the trees are so susceptible that some years they don't yield any berries at all. The berries themselves ripen to either yellow-orange or dark red verging on black, and are about half the size of cherries. On St. Maarten, the trees bear fruit at different times from year to year, but only when conditions are just right.

The Drink Drink

For centuries, people in the Caribbean made their own guavaberry liqueurs from a combination of guavaberries, rum, and sugar cane. A profitable business even sprang up in the Virgin Islands in the late 1800s, exporting guavaberry wines and rums to Denmark. But its market never broadened, and currently it is hard to find outside of the Caribbean.

The Sint Maarten Guavaberry Company is the main producer of guavaberry liqueur these days, keeping the legendary beverage alive. Their Guavaberry Emporium in Phillipsburg offers free samples of their wide assortment of liqueurs. With their vintage varieties and hand painted bottles, they've perfected the guavaberry liqueur like no one else. They also sell rums, barbeque sauces, guavaberry honey, and similar items. Located in a quaint old house on Front Street, the Emporium is a popular stop for tourists to the island.

While travelers are most likely to encounter the Sint Maarten's brand, handmade guavaberry liqueurs still exist. In the Virgin Islands, Ashley Nibbs (also known as "the Bush Tea Doctor") brews his own small brand, A. Nibbs Sons & Daughters, according to family tradition. And in the Dominican Republic, people often make their own guavaberry liqueur by filling a jar with guavaberries, pouring in rum to cover, and then burying the jar for a year.

Traditions

A treasured Christmas drink, guavaberry liqueur inspired holiday traditions. On St. Maarten, carolers would go from door to door, singing "Good morning, good morning, I come for me guavaberry." At each house, they'd receive a small sample from the owner's bottle. But this is not reserved for St. Maarten; residents of the Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic likewise associate the spirit with Christmas festivities.

Many people prefer to mix guavaberry liqueur in drinks rather than drinking it straight because of its sweet, fruity taste. It's considered especially delicious as a colada, made by mixing guavaberry liqueur, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. A small amount of the liqueur added to sauces or desserts lends a special flavor to the dish.

Historically, guavaberries were used to make jams, juices, tarts, and cakes on various Caribbean islands. Those tasty treats can still occasionally be found by lucky travelers. Cubans savor the juicy, bittersweet fruits, eating them plain or making juice. They also make a guavaberry syrup, which is used medicinally for liver problems.

Because of its rarity and uniquely pleasant taste, those who encounter guavaberry liqueur should be sure to give it a try. You might even be inspired to bring home a bottle to add to your own Christmas traditions.

Ром Ma Doudou

Ma Doudou occupies a tiny shack virtually obscured by overgrown foliage in the town of Cul-de-Sac. Call ahead unless you're in the neighborhood, as it keeps irregular hours. Ma Doudou means "my darling" in Creole patois. Darling certainly describes the collectible hand-painted bottles garnished with madras clippings. The products -- rum-filled candies, spices, jams, and 20 flavored rums (including one starring an enormous embalmed centipede that reputedly possesses aphrodisiacal properties) -- practically overflow the shelves in the cramped space. The owners often throw in a free bottle with a minimum purchase.

Конкурс барменов

Коктейли, включающие в себя ингредиент "Гуаваберри Ликер/Guavaberry Liqueur"

СПРАЙТ ИЗ ГУАВЫ — GUAVABERRY SPRITE

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Спрайт(Sprite) наполнить

Лед

ГУАВАВОЕ ШОКОЛАДНОЕ МОЛОКО — GUAVABERRY CHOCOLATE MILK

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Шоколадное молоко(Chocolate Milk) наполнить

лед

ЛАЙМАД ИЗ ГУАВЫ — GUAVABERRY LIMEADE

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Лимонад(Limeade) наполнить

ГУАВА-ЯБЛОЧНЫЙ СОК — GUAVABERRY APPLE JUICE

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Яблочный сок(Apple Juice) наполнить

ГУАВАБЕРРИ ФЛИП — GUAVABERRY FLIP

Взбитые сливки(Whipping Cream) по вкусу

Персиковый шнапс(Peach Schnapps) по вкусу

Сливки, кремовая пена(Cream) 1/3

Dekuyper Cheri-berri Pucker(Dekuyper Cheri-berri Pucker) 2 унц.

Яичный белок(Egg White) 2 унц.

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Апельсиновый сок(Orange Juice) 2/3

ГУАВАБЕРРИ КОЛАДА — GUAVABERRY COLADA

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Пина Колада Микс(Pina Colada Mix) половина

Ананасовый сок(Pineapple Juice) половина

1 oz Guavaberry Liqueur Liqueur

1 1/2 oz Pineapple Juice Juice

1/2 oz Coconut Cream

ГУАВА ПУНШ — GUAVABERRY PUNCH

Вишневый сок(Cherry Juice) 1 унц.

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Апельсиновый сок(Orange Juice) половина

Ананасовый сок(Pineapple Juice) половина

ГУАВА КОКТЕЙЛЬ — GUAVABERRY COCKTAIL

Вишневый сок(Cherry Juice) 1 унц.

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Свит энд сур(Sweet & Sour Mix) наполнить

ГУАВА КОКА — GUAVABERRY COKE

Гуаваберри Ликер(Guavaberry Liqueur) 2 унц.

Кока-кола(Coca-cola) наполнить

Several years ago, Linda and Jack Parker decided to leave the business world behind in Phoenix, Arizona, and retire to St. Maarten. No sooner had they found a pub here where they learned to relax than Shawn, who today is their maitre d’, told them “I hope you’re able to find someplace else you like, because the owner is closing this place.”

Aghast, Linda and Jack did the only thing two sensible retired people could do to protect their retirement watering hole: they bought the place.

Then another crisis appeared. “You know,” they concluded, “there’s not a single good steakhouse down here.” So they set out to build Peg Leg into a first-class steakhouse, the island’s first and easily its most popular. (Peg Leg doesn’t put on airs --- dress is casual, as always.)

Today, in new and larger quarters, Linda and Jack serve what diners have voted the island’s best steaks plus a huge menu of seafood and other specialties, appetizers, desserts, and hearty lunches.

Maybe they’ll retire some day, but not now. They’re too busy serving their loyal clientele great food and drink at Peg Leg!

Тинтамаре

Tintamare or Flat is a small island about three miles off the east coast of St Martin. It is uninhabited, has long, deserted beaches backed with palm trees, and mud baths.

Tintamare Safari Tintamare Safari: No previous experience needed. you will discover this wonder of the caribbean. Discover the clay baths, best snorkelling spot. Our instructor will take you for a two hour safari. No exprerience needed. Tintamare: Discover a magical island, full of history. Tintamarre, which belongs to the Natural reserve area of Saint Martin, offers a wide range of activities.The tremendous beach you have always dreamed of, where beautiful yachts make a stop, a lagoon to snorkel, some clay bathes to smooth your skin, a trekking path which brings you to the cliffs where all the birds' nest are. Though it is only 2 nautical miles from Orient Bay, this island which lived under the reign of a king, guarantee new landscapes and a feeling of freedom.

Пикник на необитаемом острове Тантамар

 

Название этого необитаемого острова происходит от испанского Tinta-Mare. Цвет моря. Восхитительная кристально-чистая бирюзовая вода, в которую хочется немедленно нырнуть, в заливе, расположенном на юго-западе острова, с пляжем мягкого белого песка.

Тантамар является частью заповедной зоны Сэн Мартина.

Отличное место для подводных приключений с маской и ластами, где корраловый лабиринт подводных садов приютил множество различных видов тропических рыб.

Мы предлагаем вам роскошный пикник на этом очаровательном островке, где вы несомненно проведете самый незабываемый день вашего отпуска.