| Throughout history, people all over the world | | | | tourists to the island.While travelers are most |
| have made alcoholic beverages out of indigenous | | | | likely to encounter the Sint Maarten's brand, |
| ingredients. Guavaberry liqueur is one of the most | | | | handmade guavaberry liqueurs still exist. In the |
| unique examples of this universal endeavor. Made | | | | Virgin Islands, Ashley Nibbs (also known as "the |
| in a number of places in the Caribbean, the | | | | Bush Tea Doctor") brews his own small brand, A. |
| concoction is usually associated with St. Maarten, | | | | Nibbs Sons & Daughters, according to family |
| where it's considered the national drink.The | | | | tradition. And in the Dominican Republic, people |
| PlantContrary to its name, the guavaberry isn't | | | | often make their own guavaberry liqueur by filling |
| related to guava at all. It's actually a closer relative | | | | a jar with guavaberries, pouring in rum to cover, |
| to clove and eucalyptus. Guavaberry trees grow | | | | and then burying the jar for a year.TraditionsA |
| wild in the Caribbean islands and a few areas of | | | | treasured Christmas drink, guavaberry liqueur |
| South and Central America. The fruits, sometimes | | | | inspired holiday traditions. On St. Maarten, carolers |
| called rumberries, have also been introduced to | | | | would go from door to door, singing "Good |
| Florida, Hawaii, Bermuda, and the | | | | morning, good morning, I come for me |
| Philippines.Because the trees grow best in rocky, | | | | guavaberry." At each house, they'd receive a |
| difficult terrain, and their fruit grows out of reach, | | | | small sample from the owner's bottle. But this is |
| harvesting the berries is challenging. High winds and | | | | not reserved for St. Maarten; residents of the |
| insects can lessen the amount of fruit the trees | | | | Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic likewise |
| produce; in fact, the trees are so susceptible that | | | | associate the spirit with Christmas festivities.Many |
| some years they don't yield any berries at all. The | | | | people prefer to mix guavaberry liqueur in drinks |
| berries themselves ripen to either yellow-orange | | | | rather than drinking it straight because of its |
| or dark red verging on black, and are about half | | | | sweet, fruity taste. It's considered especially |
| the size of cherries. On St. Maarten, the trees | | | | delicious as a colada, made by mixing guavaberry |
| bear fruit at different times from year to year, | | | | liqueur, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. A small |
| but only when conditions are just right.The | | | | amount of the liqueur added to sauces or |
| DrinkFor centuries, people in the Caribbean made | | | | desserts lends a special flavor to the |
| their own guavaberry liqueurs from a combination | | | | dish.Historically, guavaberries were used to make |
| of guavaberries, rum, and sugar cane. A profitable | | | | jams, juices, tarts, and cakes on various |
| business even sprang up in the Virgin Islands in | | | | Caribbean islands. Those tasty treats can still |
| the late 1800s, exporting guavaberry wines and | | | | occasionally be found by lucky travelers. Cubans |
| rums to Denmark. But its market never | | | | savor the juicy, bittersweet fruits, eating them |
| broadened, and currently it is hard to find outside | | | | plain or making juice. They also make a |
| of the Caribbean.The Sint Maarten Guavaberry | | | | guavaberry syrup, which is used medicinally for |
| Company is the main producer of guavaberry | | | | liver problems.Because of its rarity and uniquely |
| liqueur these days, keeping the legendary | | | | pleasant taste, those who encounter guavaberry |
| beverage alive. Their Guavaberry Emporium in | | | | liqueur should be sure to give it a try. You might |
| Phillipsburg offers free samples of their wide | | | | even be inspired to bring home a bottle to add to |
| assortment of liqueurs. With their vintage varieties | | | | your own Christmas traditions.Karen Joslin writes |
| and hand painted bottles, they've perfected the | | | | for Segisys travel Web sites, such as |
| guavaberry liqueur like no one else. They also sell | | | | Anguilla-Guide.info. To learn more about St. |
| rums, barbeque sauces, guavaberry honey, and | | | | Maarten's cuisine, take a look at this culinary page |
| similar items. Located in a quaint old house on | | | | at StMartin-Guide.info. |
| Front Street, the Emporium is a popular stop for | | | | |