After Caribbean Journal did a list of the top 10 beach bars in the Caribbean, Rum Journal thought it would be appropriate to do a companion list of the 10 best beach drinks in the Caribbean. Indeed, some of them happen to be served at the Top 10 Beach Bars, but others are not. Some offer recipes, others are top-secret. Here’s Rum Journal’s list of the 10 best beach drinks in the Caribbean, with special shout-outs to the small islands of Nevis and Anguilla, each of which earned a pair of mentions. Naturally, all of the drinks share one main ingredient: rum.
Above: Sunshine’s Beach Lounge
Killer Bee – Sunshine’s Beach Lounge, Nevis
A member of CJ’s top 10 Beach Bars list, Sunshine’s secret recipe is, in a word, perfect. But be careful.
Above: Da Conch Shack
Jan’s Infamous Rum Punch – Da Conch Shack and Rum Bar, Turks and Caicos
A Turks and Caicos culinary classic, Da Conch Shack also has one of the region’s best rum punches. Our recommendation? Get it by the pitcher.
Above: The Soggy Dollar
Painkiller – The Soggy Dollar, British Virgin Islands
The Soggy Dollar’s Painkiller is more than four decades old, a marvelous cocktail of dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, orange juice and Grenadian nutmeg.
Above: Elvis’ Beach Bar
Rum Punch – Elvis’ Beach Bar, Anguilla
One of two Anguilla bars to make this list, Elvis’ Rum Punch is tremendous. It might be the cinnamon that really puts it over the top.
Above: Le Petibonum
Ti’Punch – Le Petibonum, Martinique
The classic of the French West Indies, Petibonum’s Ti’ Punch is unique in that it’s made by, well, you. You get the ingredients – lime, sugar cane syrup and rhum agricole, and you make it. That’s our kind of recipe.
Above: Pinneys Beach in Nevis
Stinger Bee – Chevy’s Calypso Beach Bar, Nevis
An upstart challenger to the nearby Killer Bee, the Stinger Bee at Chevy’s is also seriously good. And the recipe is just as confidential.
Above: the Dune Preserve
Dune Rum Punch – Dune Preserve, Anguilla
One of two Anguilla bars with beach drinks that made the list, the Dune Rum Punch at musician Bankie Banx’s beach spot is the one to get. (Although you can always try the unusual “Duneshine.”)
Above: Floyd’s
Rum Punch – Floyd’s Pelican Bar – Jamaica
This bar isn’t on the beach — it’s literally in the middle of the water, and frequently rebuilt. And making the choice of rum punch is a no-brainer here – that’s because it’s pretty much the only drink they serve other than Red Stripe.
Above: Macabuca Bar and Grill
Macabuca Punch – Macabuca Bar and Grill, Grand Cayman
Set just off the water on Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, Macabuca’s signature Macabuca Punch has three different kinds of rum.
Above: Barrachina in Old San Juan
Piña Colada – Barrachina, Puerto Rico
Ok, Barrachina isn’t near the beach. But Barrachina in Old San Juan has the Caribbean’s best Pina Colada, hands down. And it’s no surprise — this is where the drink was invented, according to local lore.
— CJ