August 16 is National Rum Day, and in the Caribbean, that’s less a novelty and more a way of life. Rum runs deep in island history – from Barbados, widely credited as the birthplace of rum, to St. Croix’s famous Cruzan distillery and St. Maarten’s beloved guavaberry liqueur. Here are three island-inspired cocktails worth raising a glass to.
1. Classic Barbados Rum Punch
Barbados’ claim as rum’s birthplace makes this the essential place to start. The island’s rhyme for the perfect punch says it best: “one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak.”
- 1 oz fresh lime juice (sour)
- 2 oz simple syrup or falernum (sweet)
- 3 oz Barbados rum, such as Mount Gay (strong)
- 4 oz water or fruit juice (weak)
- A dash of Angostura bitters and fresh nutmeg on top
Shake with ice, strain into a glass over fresh ice, and grate a little nutmeg over the top.
2. St. Croix Cruzan Painkiller
This creamy, tropical classic leans on Cruzan Rum, distilled on St. Croix since 1760.
- 2 oz Cruzan dark rum
- 4 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 oz cream of coconut
- Fresh grated nutmeg to finish
Shake well and pour over crushed ice, then finish with nutmeg for a genuine taste of St. Croix.
3. St. Maarten Guavaberry Colada
Guavaberry liqueur is a St. Maarten specialty, made from the island’s native guavaberry fruit steeped in rum. This colada gives it a fun, tropical spotlight.
- 1.5 oz guavaberry liqueur
- 1 oz white rum
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz cream of coconut
- Blend with ice until smooth
Blend all ingredients with a cup of ice until smooth, and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Quick Answers
What is National Rum Day? An annual celebration on August 16 honoring rum’s history and culture, with deep roots across the Caribbean.
Which Caribbean island is known as the birthplace of rum? Barbados is widely credited as rum’s birthplace, home to Mount Gay, one of the world’s oldest rum distilleries.
Taste these cocktails for yourself at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort in Barbados, Carina Bay in St. Croix, or Divi Little Bay in St. Maarten.