Above: the Avenue of Palms at the Nevis Plantation Beach Club (Photo by Nisbet Plantation)

The historic Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is located on 30 acres on the beach in Nevis.

At the heart of the site is the historic Great House, c. 1778, which looks down a lawn lined with coconut palm trees toward a white sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean.

This is Nisbet Plantation’s famous Avenue of Palms, where many couples have wed and many visitors – including Prince Charles many years ago – have strolled toward the ocean.

The Avenue of Palms was the inspiration for resort’s new signature rum cocktail.

Created by longtime Nisbet Plantation bartender Dan Perkins, the Avenue of Palms cocktail features two local favourites – CSR rum, made on Nevis’ sister island of St Kitts, and Ting grapefruit soda. The result is a light and refreshing cocktail that instantly transports guests to the Avenue of Palms, relaxing in the sea breeze under the swaying palms.

Above: Dan Perkins

Dan Perkins has been mixing up cool cocktails at the resort’s Sea Breeze beach bar and lounge in the historic Great House for 30 years.

He takes pride in getting to know each guest, and having their favourite drink ready when they arrive at the Great House for dinner before they order it.

This type of service has made Dan a favorite among guests and in 2011, earned Dan the honor of Hotel & Tourism Supervisor of the Year by the Nevis Hotel & Tourism Association.

What he enjoys most about his job is meeting new people, and making sure they are happy and comfortable.

“The one thing that I’ve learned about bartending over the years is how to approach people with different types of mood swings and to become a better listener,” he tells Rum Journal.

“I also love the atmosphere and the friendly people [in Nevis].”

When Dan is not shaking things up behind the bar at Nisbet Plantation, you can find him at the local pottery shop making beautiful ceramics.

Dan, along with three other potters, runs the Newcastle Pottery Cooperative. Many of his works can be found throughout the plantation, including light fixtures at Coconuts, candleholders and many plant pots.

To bring a taste of Nisbet Plantation and Nevis into your home, Dan is sharing his recipe “Avenue of Palms” cocktail:

Avenue of Palms cocktail

1 oz. of each:
–CSR rum
–Ting grapefruit soda
–Pineapple juice
–Malibu rum with coconut

Shake well and serve over crushed ice.

— CJ