Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKS
Featuring renowned island chefs,
Puerto Rico: Grand Cuisine of the Caribbean
by José Luis Diaz de Villegas is an excellent ex-
ploration of the ways in which
comida criolla
is infused with other culinary cultures.
Nonalcoholic Drinks
You'll see signs for piña colada (the creamy mix of pineapple juice and coconut cream,
sometimes the base of a rum drink) everywhere. This, and other fruit juices, such as
guanábana
juice, are locally made in both carbonated and noncarbonated varieties.
Mavi
is
something like root beer, made from the bark of the ironwood tree. As in much of the trop-
ics, beach and street vendors sell
cocos fríos
(chilled green coconuts) to the thirsty.
Coffee, grown in Adjuntas and many of the mountain regions, is a staple at all hours.
Alcoholic Drinks
Simply put,
ron
(rum) is the national drink. Puerto Rico is the largest producer of rum in the
world, and distilleries prop up the island's economy. The headquarters of the Bacardí Rum
Factory is in Cataño, but most Puerto Ricans drink locally made Don Q or Castillo.
Because Puerto Rico is a major producer of alcoholic beverages and taxes are low, it is
one of the cheapest places to drink in the world. Island-brewed beers generally cost about
$2 in bars. The India brand has been around for years; Medalla is a popular light pilsner that
many islanders drink like water.
The website
www.ricanrecipes.com
specializes in recipes from the Enchanted Island, with a comprehensive list that includes
everything from
brazo gitano
to
pollo en fricasé.
