Drinks... A Trini twist

Happy Tuesday!!

When it comes to drinks, adult or kids version , there are a hand selected few that can be named as must haves..

The sweet life..  Enjoying a Carib at Pigeon Point Beach

Enjoyed by Adults..

• Carib Beer - Established in 1950, this locally brewed beer is a staple for Trinis.  The full bodied, balanced and distinctively smooth lager epitomises the Caribbean life. The revitalising appeal of this brew has made it an instant favourite for beer lovers.  'A beer is a CARIB.'
• Angostura Rum - Another local pride, Angostura Rum produces 11 varieties of rum and a vodka sold internationally as well as its celebrated Angostura Bitters!  My personal favourite is the Angostura 1824.  This rum is aged for a minimum of  12 years in American Oak barrels and hand picked by the master blender.   The dark rum is a delight on its own but most Trinis choose to mix it or any rum, with Coca-Cola.  This combination is very popular with a simple tag line , 'Can I get a 'Rum 'n Coke?'

Source: Angostura.com
Angostura Rum 1824

Enjoyed by everyone

• Sno Cone - a simple shaved ice treat that is served with oodles of thick coloured syrup,  is a magnet for children and adults alike.  In most circumstances, the 'sno-cone man' is riding through the streets of  neighbourhoods on his foot pedaled  cart.  The typical treat adds a condensed milk layer to the top on request.  This pushes the sugar rush to another level but it is unmistakably delicious.  That was the  kids version.  The adult version has the same basis of shaved ice and syrup, however, you get wine with it.  The first time that I had this version was at Maracas Beach and the 'sno-cone cart' was a sno cone truck! It was delightful.

  

  Sno Cone at the Queen's Park Savannah

• Coconut Water - Coconut Water not only tastes good but has been dubbed as nature's Gatorade.  Coconut water has health benefits as it is isotonic (replaces lost fluid and salt after strenuous exercise) and has electrolytes, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium and potassium, but in its natural form. One more thing, it is customary to have Coconut water at the Queen's Park Savannah.   When it comes to 'liming' (a synonym 'a gathering' or 'to hang out in a casual atmosphere') it becomes the perfect companion in a beverage, Rum 'n Coconut water!

• Red Solo with Evaporated Milk -  A 'red Solo' speaks to the local soft drink beverage known for the colour than the saccharine  flavour.  Another  Trinidadian tradition,  that combines evaporated milk to this particular soft drink.  Don't knock it until you try it.

'Red' Solo soft drink with Evaporated milk

• Mauby - Recent health studies reported from the BBC Caribbean, gave incite that the Mauby drink might be useful in the lowering of high blood pressure as it has the distinct effect of lowering the pulse rate.  Mauby is a drink extracted from the Mauby tree's bark.  Also known as Mavi in Puerto Rico and Mabi in Haiti, the Mauby drink is brewed with spices such as anise seed, nutmeg, clove and flecks of ginger.  What I like about the Mauby drink is its versatility.  It can be consumed in a fermented state or sweetened and served cold.

Mauby Drink

• Sorrel - To all my fellow Christmas lovers, this one is for you.  Sorrel drink is born from the flower of the Sorrel plant which blooms once a year in December.  The drink involves boiling the flower with local spices such as Cinnamon sticks, Clove, Bayleaf and Nutmeg.  In the days of yore, siblings would gather bags of this flower to be'cleaned' by removing its seed.  Lately, persons would simply 'wash' the flower and boil it for 15 minutes pending on the size of pot. The bright red extraction becomes complete with the addition of sugar.  Christmas in your hand!!

Source: Trinidad Guardian
Sorrel Drink

Salud!