Celebrate National Rum Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Bottoms up and raise a glass (or two) on August 16
Aug 11, 2020
Fruity cockails shaken and stirred with Bambarra Rum Photo Credit Bambarra Rum Facebook
Raise a glass in Turks & Caicos Islands on National Rum Day- August 16th- as blended beverages and cocktails create a delicious island celebration. Rum is a distilled clear alcoholic beverage which is a by-product of sugar production. It can also be made directly from sugar cane juice. After the fermentation and distillation process, most rum is aged in wooden oak barrels. The spirit finds its way into citrusy mixed drinks, and cool blended summer cocktails. So much so, that rum stirs up images of sandy beaches and brightly colored umbrellas in fruity drinks. In the West Indies during the 1600s, large plantations grew sugar cane. When they extracted the sugar, they created a by-product called molasses. For years, the molasses was a waste product until it was discovered it could be distilled – into rum. Then, rum became not only a commodity for trade but also a ration on the ships delivering the product. Even in the modern Royal Navy, British sailors received an allotment of rum until 1970.
Sip local
The locally produced rum called Bambarra comes with quite a storied past. The concept developed out of the need for the Turks and Caicos Islands to have its own rum as do so many other Caribbean islands. A rum that represented the quality and heritage of the Turks and Caicos. A great time was spent ensuring that we had the best Caribbean rums available for blending and that we developed a product that represented the culture and heritage of the islands. Inspired by one of our original settlements in picturesque Middle Caicos, it takes its name from the home of the African settlers who were delivered to our shores by the winds of fate aboard the wrecked slave trader Trouvadore in 1841.
A life of freedom was theirs upon landfall; at a place, they called Bambarra Beach. From there they planted the seeds of a nation. With them came traditions and culture that those who live and enjoy the Turks & Caicos island still enjoy today – such as the colorful Masquerading party, intricate craft weaving, and the fine art of smoothly blended sugar cane rum. Everyone who worked on the creation of this product feels that we have succeeded in creating a rum that embodies all that we set out to achieve. Both the white and gold 2-year-old blends are very smooth for such young rums and are of a quality that they can be enjoyed straight up but truly come to life when mixed in classic cocktails like the Cuba Libres, Mojitos and rum punch. The ship that was the inspiration for this rum and also the cultural link that fueled the development of this nation over 150 years ago. To honor this discovery and the cultural significance it represents, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Bambarra Rum will be donated to the Turks & Caicos National Museum in Grand Turk, and the TCI National Trust, both of which protect and honor our valuable historical assets, including those on Middle Caicos, the inspiration for Bambarra Rum. http://bambarrarum.com/
Da Conch Shack & Rum Bar is a fan-favorite on the beach Photo Credit Da Conch Shack
Rummy sips and snacks
Casual Drinks & Bites
– Da Conch Shack & Rum Bar is a fan-favorite among visitors to the Islands including Chrissy Teigen, Christy Brinkley, and Drake, and offers an impressive array of creative rum-infused cocktails, including Turks Delight (Bambarra Gold rum, pineapple juice, triple sec), Blue Conch (Bambarra Coconut rum, blue curacao, pineapple juice, lime juice), Island Hopper (Bambarra Silver rum, sour apple pucker, blue curacao and pineapple juice), and the iconic Rum Punch that packs a fruity and potent punch. If you’re looking for more, finish off the meal with their Rum Cake topped with drunken raisins.
– In addition to every variety of locally blended Bambarra Rum under the Caribbean sun, Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl serves a famous Rum Punch and Rum Cake, made with Bambarra Rum.
– If a festive sweet treat is more your speed, there’s no shortage of satisfying options. Try Crackpot Kitchen’s epic Salt Cay Rum Cake, a Bambarra-infused red velvet cake served with vanilla bean whipped cream; the Crispy Rum & Raisin Bread Pudding from Kalooki’s, located in Grace Bay’s Le Vele Plaza; the Bacardi Rum Cake with vanilla ice cream from Hemingway’s at The Sands at Grace Bay; or Mr. Grouper’s flavorful and rich Rum Cake served with rum raisin ice cream.
TCI Coconut Breeze made with the local Bambarra Rum Photo Credit Bambarra Rum Facebook
Fine Dining with a Side of Fun
– For those looking to experience an upscale environment coupled with energy and entertainment, Coco Bistro is paradise on earth. Order the Dark N Stormy cocktail – made with Goslings Black Rum, fresh lime, and ginger beer – along with the Surf and Turf main dish.
– As part of the final chapter of the dining experience, Infiniti Restaurant & Raw Bar presents a lineup of Island Admiration Sipping Rums from the Caribbean and international producers, as well as a decadent Caribbean Rum & Chocolate Flight, comprising three rums paired with three handmade chocolates.
Visit www.turksandcaicostourism.com
