Beverages in Barbados: A Rum-Soaked Adventure
When one lands at Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church, Barbados, one of the first people you see when you’ve arrived is: Rihanna.
No, the pop star isn’t there in the flesh: rather, a huge portrait of her is in the terminal, proclaiming her a national hero. In fact, before I set off for the tropical island (which sits as the most-easterly and one of the most-southern locations in the Caribbean), one of the only things I knew about Barbados was that she was from there. I also knew the island nation was known for being picture-perfect gorgeous, and that it was awash in rum.
Driving through the 21 mile-wide, 14 mile-long island, you first notice the lush green floral. Some of them are bearded fig trees; the long roots which hang like beards give Barbados its name. There are pops of red on the bright green leaves: those are the aptly-named Flamboyant trees, wearing their flowers like a cocktail garnish.
If it seems like drinks are on my mind, it’s because Barbados has a rich history when it comes to the wonderful world of libations. In fact, the island is home to the world’s oldest rum distillery in the form of Mount Gay. I’m set to visit there in a few days, but first it’s time to settle in.
After a short drive past beaches, colorful homes, and valley vistas, I arrive at Royaltan Vessence. The brand is known for setting up shop in the most beautiful places on this spinning globe, including Cancun. Their location here is set up beachside, but also within walking distance to neighboring businesses, including the local supermarket. Though, you probably won’t need to go on a food run.
The glory of this hotel is that it offers an all-inclusive package. Coffee in the morning? A barista is there waiting for you. Feel like having lunch? Enjoy a slice of pizza, ham sandwich, or whatever else your heart desires, anytime you want at its bevy of grab-and-go counters, cafes, and restaurants.
And then there’s the property’s full glorious bar, available all day and into the late night, just waiting for anything your thirsty heart can dream of. To kick things off, I sip down a light and salty Dirty Martini. Here they have all of the American brands, but Barbados also shines with local libations like Spitfire, which makes a smooth vodka, a taste which matches the island’s tranquil shores. The martini tastes fresh, topped with those customary olives. In fact, I’m not sure if it was the spectacular views or ocean air, but it may have been the smoothest martini I’ve ever had. I have the property’s Food & Beverage Director Tennyson Roach to thank.
Fresh is a theme here: checking into my suite overlooking the mighty Atlantic, I see my room has a balcony with those idyllic seaside views. My bed does, too. After settling in, I crack open a Banks beer. Dubbed the Beer of Barbados, it’s loaded in my minifridge along with other libations and goodies. I can get used to this all-inclusive paradise.
Everything here feels painted by hand. Tonight, the sky is setting with hues of lavender, dark blue, black, and an orange horizon. On the property, the pool is alight with a blue glow. The palm trees are a blast of green, while the building itself is stark white. Meanwhile, the activities compliment the theme perfectly. Before I check out, I’ll participate in a sip and paint watercolor class with an incredible local artist who is kind and patient as we paint the very view I’m currently gazing at; with another one of those aforementioned Dirty Martinis in hand, of course.
It’s my first time painting, ever, and while it won’t be displayed at the Museum of Modern Art back in New York anytime soon, I’m in awe that I actually created a decipherable picture of the beach with a native sea turtle. Another day, I woke up to coffee and a Tai Chi class on the beach, our mats in the sand. My moves were as smooth as the Martini from the night before.. almost.
Since one of the most iconic parts of Bajan culture is rum and the king here is Mount Gay, it’s time to pay it a visit. It’s a must, considering it’s on this island where rum was born. As a result, one day we pile into a sprinter van and head north, passing those aforementioned colorful homes and rolling hills once again. Eventually we reach Mount Gay Rum’s expansive distillery.
While the rum brand has a tourist friendly location in the form of the Visitors’ Centre in Bridgetown, their distillery lies in Saint Lucy. Surrounding it is serene nature, including rolling fields. The distillery is actually the world’s oldest running rum maker, established in 1705. Once we depart from the cool stone building that greets guests, we pop on blue hardhats and walk outside into the midday heat and make our way around the expansive property. We taste a wild-grown Barbados cherry for kicks; it’s small and red like the cherries we know back home, but extremely tart.
In one gargantuan warehouse, you’ll find seemingly endless stacks of barrels, all in different stages of the aging process. (Each one is identified using specific numbers, written in white chalk on the brown wood). Another simple wooden structure is where the sugar cane is processed. We eventually taste test all of the different Mount Gay variations, some just exclusive to the region; from Silver (their most popular) to XO, the distillery’s triple cask blend. Smooth and rich, they hit the spot after our exploration in the heat outside.
Back at the property, I toast the steamy jaunt with a Piña Colada. Naturally it’s made with Mount Gay.
“It’s refreshing and distinctly Bajan,” bartender Nicholas Rock later told me. “the cocktail brings a taste of the island into the Royalton Vessence Barbados experience.”
Enjoy that experience at home, below.
Piña Colada
Ingredients:
2 oz. Mount Gay white rum
2 oz. sweetened coconut cream
4 oz. pineapple juice
1 to 1½ cups of ice
Preparation: Blend ingredients and pour into a Hurricane glass. Add a pineapple wedge or maraschino cherry for garnish and serve.
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