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Local Libations

A great way to experience the islands is to sample the many regional drinks made from locally grown tropical fruits. West Indian restaurants, food trucks and grocery stores offer a selection of tropical juices not found in the States. Be on the lookout for these treats.

Nonalcoholic Bush tea is a local hot tea made of lemongrass usually consumed in the morning.

Soursop juice is made by pressing and straining the seeded pulp of the soursop fruit to extract the rich, creamy juice, which is then beaten with milk or water and sweetened.

Sea-moss juice is made from a type of seaweed renowned for its nutritious and energy-giving properties. The seaweed is boiled and mixed with milk and spices. It enjoys an age-old reputation as a potent aphrodisiac.

Beer Set aside some time to take a tipsy tour of the beers from this region. Tropical Mango Pale Ale was started in St John by two college buddies who succeeded in capturing the essence of the Caribbean in a beer. Blackbeard's Ale, brewed on St. Croix, is an easy-to-drink beer with a slight caramel aroma.

Other popular beers with Caribbean roots are: Carib, brewed in Trinidad, which is a lager often served with lime and has a flavor similar to Corona; Presidente, which is a light pilsner imported from the Dominican Republic; and Foxy's Lager, which is brewed on the neighboring British Virgin Island, Jost Van Dyke.

Rum Most of the major islands have their own local rum distilleries that are a source of national pride. The rum of choice on The Virgin Islands is Cruzan Rum, which has been manufactured on St. Croix since the early 1800s. Visitors to Frederiksted can tour the distillery on the weekdays. The name is born from the word "crucian,"a name given to natives of St. Croix. The rum comes in light and dark, as well as about 10 flavored versions.