Rum Therapy, Author at Rum Therapy

September 29, 2016June 6, 2019

Should You Travel to the Caribbean During Hurricane Season?

We’ve all seen them. Photos of the storms and destruction caused by hurricanes. It’s almost enough to keep us from traveling to the Caribbean during hurricane season. Almost.

We used to completely avoid traveling to the Caribbean and Bahamas during the months of June – November (official hurricane season), but after looking at statistics, we have occasionally chosen to take advantage of the lower rates and quieter season with a few precautions and strategies in mind. After all, statistically, you are more likely to be involved in a serious hurricane event in parts of the US mainland than much of the Caribbean. Of course there’s always a risk, but all we can do is try to reason with the hurricane season…

A few things to keep in mind when considering island travel during the summer and fall:

1. The peak months for hurricane storms are August, September and October.
2. The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos and the Eastern Caribbean islands historically tend to be affected by more storm weather during hurricane season than islands farther south.
3. The islands least likely to be affected by hurricanes are the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao), followed by Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Grenada.
4. Even in the islands most affected by storms, the likelihood of encountering a serious one during the time you are there is slim.
5. Because more people avoid the Caribbean (and Bahamas) during hurricane season, you may be able to find some terrific low season rates.

Additional things to consider:
Some establishments (bars & restaurants) close for a month or two during hurricane season (usually in the August – October time frame), so if there’s a place you’d really like to experience, be sure to check and see if they will be open during your visit.

Travel insurance can help cover you in the event your vacation is cancelled or postponed by weather. Be sure to check with a reputable travel insurance company and make sure they specifically offer trip-cancellation insurance, which ensures that travelers who have purchased airline, cruise tickets and hotel stays will be fully compensated if a storm prevents them from traveling.

Some resorts offer a hurricane guarantee, but be sure to carefully read it and understand it before booking. It may be full or part coverage or a voucher for future travel.

Consider downloading the free Red Cross Hurricane app to keep you up to date on hurricane info wherever you are vacationing.

Armed with facts and good information to help you make the best choices of dates and areas, you might just become a fan of the lighter crowds, cheaper accommodations and beautiful weather of the summer and fall in the Caribbean.

Do you travel to the Caribbean during hurricane season? Tell us about it!

Find more Tropical Tips at our Tropical Tips & More directory

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

September 20, 2016June 24, 2021

4 Delicious Recipes to try on National Rum Punch Day!

Happy National Rum Punch Day! In case you feel like celebrating (or just need a good recipe in the future), here are 4 delicious recipes to try on National Rum Punch Day. Let us know which one is your favorite!

1. Authentic Rum Punch

1 of sour, 2 of sweet
3 of strong, 4 of weak
Find out what that means in this
Authentic Rum Punch Recipe

2. Caribbean Rum Punch

Use the juices listed, or create your own signature Rum Punch by changing up the flavors!
Caribbean Rum Punch Recipe

3. Coconut Rum Punch

If you like the taste of coconut, you’ll love this one!
Coconut Rum Punch Recipe

4. Pineapple Rum Punch

Two less ingredients than the Coconut Rum Punch and you can substitute a gold rum for the Coconut Rum. Less ingredients = more pineapple taste! Mmmm…tropically delicious!

Pineapple Rum Punch Recipe

Find more rum recipes here:

Rum Recipe Picture Directory

Rum Recipes by Category

Rum Therapy Recipes on YouTube

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

September 17, 2016June 6, 2019

8 Things You Shouldn’t Miss on Vieques

Isla de Vieques, a small island located approximately 8 miles off of Puerto Rico, is easily reached by ferry from Fajardo or a short flight from San Juan International Airport.

Considered one of the two main Spanish Virgin Islands, Vieques is probably best known for either its Bioluminescent Bay, said to be the brightest in the world, or its history with the US Navy as a former bombing test range.

Not as well known is the fact that Vieques has not been overly commercialized, has a good number of beautiful unspoiled beaches and retains its small island charm. Want huge resorts, nightlife, casinos or crowded beaches? You’ll have to look elsewhere, but if you want a quiet island with friendly people where you can get away from the grind, you might just fall in love with Vieques.

Thinking of visiting? Check out this list of 8 Things You Shouldn’t Miss on Vieques to help you start your planning.

1. Sun Bay Beach

Just one of the beautiful beaches on Vieques, Sun Bay has a long expanse of soft, golden sand and calm shallow water, making it a great beach for the whole family. A snack bar and restrooms are close by too. You may find horses wandering the grounds and enjoying the beach and scenery as well.

2. Horses

Speaking of horses… (see above) It may seem an odd addition to the list, but be sure to watch for the horses that roam freely on Vieques. Find out more about these beautiful creatures here: Vieques, Where the Horses Roam Free

3. Mosquito Bay (Bio Bay)
Mosquito Bay, on the southern side of Vieques, is a bioluminescent bay. Best observed during the New Moon phase, the waters of Mosquito Bay, that are rich in a single celled dinoflagelate organism, “light up” at night when they come in contact with another organism, such as a boat, oar, or person. There are several bio bays in the world, but Mosquito Bay has claimed the title of “the brightest” bio bay in the world by the Guiness Book of World Records.

4. Hike to Playa Negra – a black sand beach

Playa Negra is a black sand beach just west of Esperanza. The color of the sand is a little surprising given the goldens, tans and whites of the other beaches on Vieques, but the pretty hike down a riverbed to the beach made it worth it to us. We were the only ones on the path except for a mare and her foal who walked right past us.

5. Enjoy a rum punch at Bananas

Thirsty after your hike to Playa Negra? Stop at Bananas Beach Bar & Grill in Esperanza for a delightful Rum Punch. Want to stay a little longer? Check into Bananas Guesthouse – a no frills place that’s close to the Bio Bay.

6. Enjoy the shops, museum and restaurants at El Malecon, Esperanza

The coastal side of Experanza is known as El Malecon or “The Strip”. Here you will find a few small shops, some restaurants, a museum, a beach and a beautiful view. This is probably the busiest area on Vieques and a favorite hangout for visitors. Tours for the Bio Bay leave from this area.

7. The Rest of the Beaches

We visited a number of Vieques beautiful beaches during our visit and were pleasantly
surprised with the beauty and solitude of many of them. If you have the time, rent a jeep and see how many beaches you can visit. They’re all a little different, but none are crowded.

8. Catch a sunset at Al’s Mar Azul

Before catching the ferry back to Puerto Rico, stop and enjoy a sunset (with your favorite cold drink) at Al’s Mar Azul – just a block from the ferry. The sunsets here are spectacular and it’s a beautiful way to end your day on Vieques.

Have you been to Vieques? Tell us about it!

To see more island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

September 7, 2016June 24, 2021

The Best Piña Colada Recipe

There are good Piña Coladas and then there are excellent Piña Coladas and we have well, tried our fair share. Although the standard Piña Colada Recipe is by far the easiest, by taking just a little extra time and adding a few more ingredients you can turn that average Piña Colada into a creamy and rumlicious tropical delight. By freezing the pineapple, you reduce the need to use as much ice and less ice = more flavor. Plus, the addition of the fresh lime juice, heavy cream and just a dash of bitters makes this a Piña Colada you won’t soon forget.

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!

Print Recipe

The Best Piña Colada Recipe

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Author: Rum Therapy

Ingredients

2 1/2 to 3 c. fresh pineapple (cubed)
4 oz. gold rum (we used Cruzan Aged Rum)
3 oz. cream of coconut (such as Coco Real or Coco Lopez)
2 oz. heavy cream
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1 c. ice (add just a bit more if needed)
1 small dash of Agnostura bitters (easy does it!)
toasted coconut
nutmeg
1/2 – 1 oz. dark rum to be used as a floater (we used Myers’s Dark Rum)
Maraschino cherry and pineapple slices for garnish

Instructions

Freeze fresh pineapple chunks until firm. In a blender, add rum, Coco Lopez, heavy cream, lime juice, the bitters and the pineapple and blend together. Add ice and blend again until creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of cream or pineapple juice and blend until the desired consistency. Serve in a tall glass. Add a floater of dark rum, a sprinkle of nutmeg and toasted coconut and garnish with a cherry and a pineapple slices.

Other recipes you might be interested in:

Piña Colada
Skinny Piña Colada

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

September 7, 2016June 6, 2019

PiZZA Pi VI – A One of a Kind Floating Pizza Boat

A floating pizza factory? A commercial grade food truck boat? A one of a kind offshore dining experience in the beautiful VI’s? Check, check and check!

PiZZA Pi VI is the brainchild Sasha and Tara Bouis. Sasha is an MIT grad who worked on Wall Street for five years before realizing that being “cubicle plankton” was not enough for him. Tara, originally an elementary special education teacher in Indiana during the winter and a SCUBA instructor at SeaTrek BVI was also an award winning chef and culinary judge who trained specifically in the art of the New York style pizza pie.

Together they rebuilt their aluminum sailboat, retrofitted it with commercial grade pizza ovens, an oversized pickup window and an eye-catching paint job. They then named the boat Pi, with a pizza business in mind.

PiZZA Pi VI opened in November of 2014 and is anchored in Christmas Cove, Great St James Island. Sasha and Tara live on land nearby and dinghy out to open and serve pizza daily from 11am until sunset (closed Mondays & Thursdays).

Because of limited space in the galley, they offer 5 types of pizzas from traditional NY style to specials that vary depending on local and seasonal ingredients.
Some of the fan favorite pizzas include:

“Sweet Home Indiana” – Porcini sauce, sage sausage, pickled sweet corn & fresh spinach

“Blumin Onion” – Aioli sauce, chopped leeks, radicchio, blue cheese & honey to finish

“Mango Mami” – Tangy mango sauce, red onion, fresh mango, bacon & goat cheese

See their menu here

To visit PiZZA Pi, you need to find your way out on a boat. Visitors to St. Thomas or St. John can rent a charter boat for a full or half day trip and along with great pizza they get to enjoy an action packed day tailored to their group by a knowledgable captain. They also serve dinner to many of the week long charter boats that make St. Thomas their home port. Enjoying great food on a boat while snorkeling in pristine waters is the PiZZA Pi experience.

Although closed for the season right now – PiZZA Pi needs your help. The food-truck-boat has operated in Christmas Cove, US Virgin Islands for nearly two years now, but in order to continue, the local government is requesting a show of public support. If you have already enjoyed the pizza and the experience of PiZZA Pi VI, or even if you just hope to in the future, Sasha and Tara ask that you would consider signing the petition to keep PiZZA Pi VI in Christmas Cove. They are hoping to get at least 5,000 signatures, and have received over half already. If you’d like to support PiZZA Pi VI – A One of a Kind Floating Pizza Boat, you can find the petition here:
Petition for PiZZA Pi VI

And – if you’d like to find out more about PiZZA Pi VI, check them out here:
Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

all photos property of wherethecoconutsgrow.com

August 26, 2016June 6, 2019

10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss on Puerto Rico

East of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands lies the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. Approximately 3,500 sq. miles and about the size of the state of Connecticut, PR is a US territory and US citizens do not need a passport to travel to and from Puerto Rico. With one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world, many tourists visit Puerto Rico before or after embarking on a cruise.

Although the list of things to see and do on this culturally colorful island is extensive, we’ve listed 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss on Puerto Rico to get your travel planning started.

1. Old San Juan
Founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, the 7 square block area contains a wealth of history, culture, restaurants and shopping. Take time to walk down the streets taking in the colors, the historic buildings and delicious aromas surrounding you. Look to see if you can find the blue cobblestones in old town. The bricks were brought over on Spanish ships in the 1700’s and time and moisture have caused them to have a blue hue, but word has it that they are slowly being replaced due to cracking and unevenness.

Blue cobblestones

2. El Morro and San Cristobal
It’s hard to miss the forts of El Morro and San Cristobal while walking around Old San Juan. Construction on Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro) was begun in 1539 as a way to protect the city from an attack by sea, but it not completed until 1787. Castillo San Cristóbal was built to protect the city from attacks by land. The views here are phenomenal and history is always so much more interesting when you’re able to experience it in person.
Read more about exploring El Morro here

Gun turret in El Morro

3. El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest is located approximately 25 miles southeast of San Juan. Receiving over 200 inches of rain a year, this jungle like area is filled with lush flora and fauna (some species only found here), beautiful waterfalls and trails that crisscross the area for easy exploration. Listen to the sounds of 13 species of coqui fill the air and keep your eyes open for the endangered Puerto Rican amazon (parrot) – the only remaining native parrot in Puerto Rico.
Read more about exploring El Yunque here

Small waterfall in El Yunque

4. Drink a Piña Colada
Named the national drink of Puerto Rico in 1978, you won’t have a problem finding a bar or restaurant that serves one. In fact, two places in San Juan claim to have originally created the creamy rum drink, Barrachina and Caribe Hilton Hotel’s Beachcomber Bar. If you want to do a bit of “research”, you could try one at each location to see which you prefer.

Piña Coladas at Barrachina’s

5. Eat
Puerto Rican cuisine was not something we were familiar with before we started visiting the islands and now we love it. Not typically spicy – but well spiced, it seems to be a unique and tasty blend of influences from different ethnic groups that settled on the island. Mofongo (mashed plantain filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, pork, etc.), Alcapurria (fritters made of green bananas and filled with seasoned meat), Mallorca (Puerto Rican sweet brean), Bacalaítos (fried codfish fritters), Lechón (roasted pig) and Arroz con gandules (the Puerto Rican style of rice and beans made with pigeon peas and sofrito) are just a few of the succulent delicacies or dishes you might find.

Mofongo

6. Roadside Food Stands
As if there’s not enough good food to choose from in Puerto Rican restaurants, there’s another place to sample great local cuisine with the added bonus of chatting with the cook/owner. On roadways all over Puerto Rico you’ll find roadside food stands selling everything from barbeque chicken to arepas to pinchos. Want to wash it down with smething cold? Try a Coco Frio (coconut water), Medalla Light (the local beer) or another Piña Colada. Our favorite? A row of food kiosks close to Luquillo Beach!

Luquillo Beach Food Kiosk

7. Rum
Called the rum capital of the world, Puerto Rico sells 70% of the rum sold in the US. Bacardi is the best known and has a distillery with tours on island, but if you have the chance, be sure to sample the local favorite Don Q and our favorite – Ron Del Barrilito Three Star, considered the “Cognac of the Caribbean”.

Puerto Rican Rums

8. Check Out the Non-Tourtisty Areas
Sure it’s great to be able to visit the popular tourist attractions in PR – they’re popular for a reason! But there are so many other things to experience on PR if you have the time and some transportation. If you’re staying on-island and can rent a car, check out some of these less touristy, but still cool destinations. Spend some time exploring Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla – the site of a former military port that still has some of the military pier infrastructure, surf in Rincon, a sleepy town on the west coast that is a favorite of expats, kayak over to Gilligan’s Island (Cayo Aurora) from Guánica and do some snorkeling, visit Café Gran Batey Coffee Farm in Utuado for a tour, a tasting and some coffee beans to bring home, and explore the neoclassical architecture of Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second largest city, founded in 1692 by Ponce de Leon’s great grandson.

Crash Boat Beach

9. Explore Puerto Rico’s Beautiful Out Islands
There are approximately 143 islands, cays, islets and atolls surrounding the island of Puerto Rico and the only inhabited ones – Vieques and Culebra are great for day trips or longer and easy to get to via ferry.

Sun Bay, Vieques

10. Relax
After all the sightseeing, don’t forget to just take time to relax, breathe in the tropical air and enjoy the sunshine. After all, you’re in paradise!

Great place to relax in a hammock in Rio Grande

To see more posts on Puerto Rico and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

August 19, 2016April 26, 2021

10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss On Virgin Gorda

Ahhh, Virgin Gorda. This hilly beauty is rumored to have been named “The Fat Virgin” by Christopher Columbus who, upon approach, thought the profile of the island resembled a plump lady lying on her side. At 8 square miles, it is the 3rd largest island in the British Virgin Island chain, and although it offers a variety of luxurious resorts and villas and one of the highest rated beach attractions in the world, it still somehow maintains it laid-back island feel.

Are you planning to spend some time on this beautiful island? Here is a list of 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss On Virgin Gorda to help you start your planning.

1. Hike the Trail Through The Baths
Giant boulders surrounded by crystal clear, blue water. The path takes you through a maze of boulders and calm, turquoise pools of water where you can spend hours lounging and exploring. The path leads to Devil’s Bay – another stunning white sand beach. See Exploring the Baths of Virgin Gorda

2. Top Of the Baths
After exploring The Baths and Devil’s Bay, make a stop at the Top of The Baths for a little shopping a dip in the freshwater pool and a delicious rum cocktail with a beautiful view of Sir Francis Drake Channel and Tortola in the distance.
Find out more about the Top of the Baths here

3. Spring Bay
Just north of The Baths is another great beach and area to explore. Same huge boulders, more crystal clear water and a few less people. Sound good? It is…

4. CocoMaya Restaurant & Bar
After a full day of sun, salt water and fresh air, there’s nothing better than watching a colorful sunset with a cold drink in hand from a cushy chair around a beach campfire – well, technically a gas fire pit, but it’s a beautiful atmosphere nonetheless. CocoMaya is located on the beach just south of Spanish Town. We hear the food is pretty awesome as well.
Find out more about CocoMaya here

5. Saba Rock
Technically located in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, this private island offers a lot in just less than an acre. Saba Rock boasts not only a famous over-the-water lounge bar and restaurant, but also an 8 bedroom hotel, 10 slip marina, gift shop, gardens and sun deck. Go for dinner, the views, and a famous Saba Rock Banana Daiquiri.
Update: Saba Rock received significant damage in the hurricanes of 2017. It is currently being rebuilt and hopes to re-open in Fall of 2021. Please check their website for updated opening info.

6. Leverick Bay
Leverick Bay is a Resort & Marina located on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. Laid back, colorful and fun, this is a great place to dock a boat, rent a suite, enjoy a scenic dinner at the Restaurant at Leverick Bay or sip a rum punch while savoring a roti at the beachside Jumbie’s bar.
Read more about Leverick Bay here

7. Michael Beans Show
This musician, sailor and showman puts on a “Happy Arrr” musical pirate show at Jumbies at Leverick Bay Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5-7 pm during the season. The entertaining two hour show includes a lot of audience participation and good clean pirate fun for the whole family.

8. Hog Heaven
Hog Heaven is a Bar & Grill sitting high atop Virgin Gorda with an absolutely beautiful view of the entire North Sound. If you have the chance, take the drive up the hill to enjoy a plate of delicious BBQ, a Blondie Special (a rum drink named after the owner) and a spectacular view of the entire North Sound, including Necker Island, and on a clear day, Anegada.
Read more about Hog Heaven here

9. Rent a Dinghy and Tour North Sound
Got a full day to explore? Rent a dinghy from Leverick Bay (call ahead to reserve one – they sell out) and take your time exploring all that beautiful North Sound has to offer, including Bitter End Yacht Club & Saba Rock (when they re-open) and Prickly Pear Island. Our rental instructions included a warning – seaplanes have the right of way!
Read What to See and Do In North Sound here

10. Hike Virgin Gorda Peak
To be honest, you can get some almost as good views of both sides of the island (without hiking) from the road that takes you to the trailhead, but making the trek to the top is worth it to check out the foliage (seems odd to see cactus on a tropical island!) and to burn off some of the amazing rum drinks you’ve probably been enjoying in paradise. Best to go on a clear day for the best views (as you see, we didn’t), and bring water and a snack. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the summit and there are picnic tables at the top.

BONUS – Savannah Bay
From the moment we first sailed past this pretty beach, we knew it would be one of our favorites. Usually very quiet; it’s a long arc of soft, light sand fringed by gorgeous turquoise water. Great place to put your toes (and more!) in the water…

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC.
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

August 15, 2016July 10, 2021

Happy National Rum Day! Test Your Rum IQ!

To celebrate National Rum Day on August 16, we’ve assembled a short and informative quiz regarding this most fabled of spirits! Test your Rum IQ by comparing your answers to the answers here: Rum Quiz Answers

National Rum Day Quiz*

1. What is the oldest brand of rum in the world?

2. What is the strongest rum in the world?

3. It is reported that ____________ had two drinks of rum before taking his famous ride.

4. What is the most expensive rum in the world?

5. Sailors in the British Navy were given rations of rum to prevent what disease?

6. Which US President served a barrel of Mount Gay Rum at his inaugural party?

7. Which of the following is not a nickname for rum?
a. rumbullion
b. kill-devil
c. nelson’s blood
d. pirate’s drink
e. cup o’ tot
f. rumbastion
g. navy neaters
h. splice the main brace
i. demon water

Happy National Rum Day!

Find RUM RECIPES here:

Rum Recipe Picture Directory

Rum Recipes by Category

*Fun Fact Sources: Huffington Post, Ministry of Rum, Caribbean Journal, Mag for Women, Mobile Cuisine

August 11, 2016June 24, 2021

Raspberry & Rum Slushie

The kids are heading back to school and we know that we’ll soon be heading into (gasp!) fall – but while we can, we’re gonna hold on to the last weeks of lovely warm summer with a delicious, cold and fresh Raspberry & Rum Slushie. You can substitute strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or a combination of berries to make use of fruit that’s fresh in your area.

Raspberry & Rum Slushie
(makes 1)

1 c. fresh raspberries
2 oz. white rum
2 tbsp. sugar (add more or less to suit your taste)
1/2 tbsp. lime juice
1-2 cup(s) ice

Add the raspberries, rum, sugar and lime to a blender and blend until smooth. Add 1 cup ice and blend until smooth and slushy. Add more ice, if needed, for a thicker consistency.

Find more rum recipes here:

Rum Recipe Picture Directory

Rum Recipes by Category

Rum Therapy Recipe Videos on YouTube

August 4, 2016June 24, 2021

Boozy Banana

We recently received a bottle of Blue Chair Bay Banana Rum and looked to the Blue Chair Bay Recipe Page for a little “rumspiration”! Everything looked delicious, of course, but one recipe stood out and so we gathered the ingredients and gave it a try. The recipe? A Boozy Banana – easy, cold and tropically delicious! Excuse me while I go make another…

Print Recipe

Boozy Banana

A Boozy Banana – easy, cold and tropically delicious!

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Author: Blue Chair Bay

Ingredients

2 oz. Blue Chair Bay Banana Rum
4 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Cream of Coconut
1 oz. Orange Juice

Instructions

Add all ingredients in a shaker filled with a few ice cubes.
Shake and strain into glass filled with ice.
Garnish with cherry and orange wheel.