What do all of these items have it common? Each would make an excellent gift for someone who wears flip flops in the winter, dreams of sandy beaches and is allergic to winter (or you would think so by their reaction to snow!) From jewelry to island themed gadgets, we hope this list will help you find the perfect gift for all of the beach lovers on your list! Click the link after each photo for information on where to buy each item.
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1. Fire Opal Palm Tree Earrings, $19.99! Find them here.
Ahhhh….beautiful palm trees. Wear these anytime you’re feelin’ beachy!
2. I’m the Captain, I’m the First Mate Drink Coolies. Set of 2, $11.99. Find them here.
Who’s the boss on your boat?!
3. 4Ocean Signature Blue Bracelet, $20.55. Find it here.
The purchase of one 4Ocean bracelet funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines! Made with recycled materials recovered by 4Ocean employees. Blue cord is made with recycled PET plastic bottles, Clear beads are made with recycled glass bottles.
4. Rum Therapy 16 oz. Boating and Beachin’ Cup, $10.99 each. Lids and re-useable straws also available! Find them here.
Great for enjoying that rum drink while boating, beachin’ and hanging around the swimming pool. Soft and non-breakable AND they’re reusable, so they help reduce trash in our landfills and oceans! Matching lid and straw available here!
7. Sand Colored Rum Therapy Trucker Cap, $22.00. Find them here.
You’ll love these great looking hats with 100% washed cotton twill on the front for a relaxed look, an unstructured low profile fit, snapback closure and supersoft mesh on the back. GREAT for both men & women! Comes in 4 colors: Sand, Blue, Red and Tropical Teal.
Barbados is the easternmost island in the Caribbean chain and an independent British Commonwealth nation. It is a major cruise ship port, but also a popular vacation destination with direct flights from the US, Canada and England. Islands closest to Barbados include St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. At 147 sq. miles in size, it is not considered a very large island, but what it may lack in size, Barbados definitely makes up for in its relaxed and welcoming attitude, friendly people, beautiful scenery and the variety of activities to enjoy. Read on to see why we think you should consider planning a trip to Barbados.
Mount Gay Visitor Center, Barbados
Rum
Considered by many as the birthplace of rum, Barbados offers so many ways to learn about and enjoy this golden elixir. Ways to enjoy Barbados Rum?
1. Rum Distillery Tours
* Take the Mount Gay Rum Tour at the Visitor Center in Bridgetown to find out more about the history and the making of Mount Gay Rum, first produced on Barbados in 1703. And yes, samples are provided.
* Visit the St. Nicholas Abbey Plantation. St Nicholas Abbey rums have won numerous international awards and the public can tour the beautiful facilities located in the northern parish of St. Peter. A general admission includes a tour of the Greathouse, the plantation grounds, the syrup factory and bottling plant and a rum tasting. Read about our visit to St. Nicholas Abbey here.
*Foursquare Rum Distillery Tour. Foursquare Rum currently produces some of the finest rums around, such as RL Seale, Rum Sixty Six, Old Brigand, Doorly’s XO and of course, the Foursquare series of rums. The Foursquare Rum Distillery is located St. Phillip Parish on the southeast side of the island. The tour is free and self guided which allows visitors to take their time walking through the facility and reading about all of the rum making equipment and history. After finishing the tour, stop by the tasting room to sample a variety of their rums which cost approximately $20 for 6 samples.
2. Rum Shops: Rum Shops, small local establishments that sell beer and rum and sometimes food, are scattered all over the island of Barbados. These neighborhood shops give visitors a taste of Barbados from rum to beer to getting a chance to chat with the locals. Catch a rowdy game of dominoes and join in while sipping on your favorite Barbados rum. A few popular rum shops? John Moore’s Bar and Braddie’s Bar are two, but Barbados is literally dotted with Rum Shops, so don’t hesitate stopping by one that you are staying close to or spot while exploring the island!
Rum Punch at St. Charles Yacht Club, Barbados
3. Rum Punch Barbadians know rum punch. Although just slightly different at each location, the authentic recipe is generally used – one of sour (lime juice), two of sweet (simple syrup), three of strong (rum) and four of weak (water), with a dash of Angostura bitters and some freshly grated nutmeg. Balanced, refreshing and delicious. Get the Authentic Rum Punch recipe here.
Paynes Bay Beach, Barbados
Beaches
There are so many beautiful beaches on Barbados that it’s hard to know where to start. If you are looking for calm beaches that are good for swimming, focus on the calmer south and west side. The north and east side are generally rocky, incredibly scenic, and well worth a visit, but may not be as good for swimming. A few of our favorites? On the west – Gibbs, Sandy Lane, Paynes Bay, and Brandon’s, Brighton and Brownes. In the south – Accra/Rockley, Welches, Dover, Miami and Crane. North and East? Bathsheba Beach is rugged and beautiful with unusual rock formations dotting the coast, Bottom Bay is sandy with beautiful palms and turquoise water – very scenic. It’s great for walking and picnicking, but swimming is not recommended due to the undertow.
Flying Fish Sandwich at The Fish Pot, Barbados
Eats
There’s certainly no shortage of places to eat in Barbados. Delicious offerings are available from food trucks, beach bars, rum shops, Oisten’s Friday Night Fish Fry and finer dining restaurants such as The Cliff, and Champers. Typical Bajan food is infused with elements of African, Indian, Irish, Creole and British cultures. The national dish of Barbados? Cou-Cou and Flying Fish which is can be found in many establishments during the Flying Fish season. Other foods to try? Fish cakes, Cutters, Conkies and Macaroni Pie!
What to Buy in Barbados
Want to bring home something that reminds you or your wonderful vacation in Barbados? Here are a few suggestions: 1. Rum (check to see how many bottles you are allowed to return home with) 2. Bajan Seasoning and Bajan Hot Sauce. 3. Local art and handmade jewelry 4. Pottery (check out Earthworks Pottery for local, handmade pieces) 5. Sweet Bread and Tamarind Balls
A day on the water with Calabaza Sailing Cruises
Explore
Harrison’s Cave – a limestone cavern with stalactites, stalagmites and streams Animal Flower Cave – scenic north shore stop with sweeping views Hiking – join Hike Barbados for some of their scheduled hikes in different locations on the island Churches – take a tour of some of the oldest churches on Barbados, such as St. James Parish Church, the oldest church in Barbados, which was originally built in the 1600’s. Get on the water – book an excursion with a local company such as Calabaza Sailing Cruises to enjoy the sunshine, water, snorkeling and a whole different view of the island!
These are just a few of the reasons why we think you should plan a trip to Barbados. Who’s ready to go?!
Do you like rum and Halloween? Are you looking for a couple of good rum cocktails for a spooky Halloween party or get-together? We’ve got you covered. Check out the “boo”zy recipes below. No tricks here – these 6 Tasty Rum Recipes for Halloween make rumtastic treats for adults!
Bloody good and easy to make, this deep red concoction will have your guests screaming with delight. Spooky Rum Punch Recipe
Even if you’re not a fan of the age old Halloween staple, you may really dig this layered Candy Corn looking Jello Shot. With 3 types of rum, this recipe definitely makes an “adult treat”, but if you substitute water for the booze, it could make a tasty treat for the young goblins too! Candy Corn Jello Shot Recipe
Thick, delicious and just pumpkiny enough, this “Boo”zy Pumpkin Shake probably has as many calories as the candy you’ll be sneaking out of your kiddos bags – but hey, who’s judging?! Pour me another, please! Boozy Pumpkin Shake Recipe
The only thing scary about this drink is its name and the amount of rum it contains. Be careful for it will surely put you under its spell… Voodoo Juice Recipe
Still looking for a Halloween cocktail that you can serve when you have friends for dinner…er…I mean have friends over for dinner? (insert evil laugh…) You might enjoy this one called The Slimer. The Slimer Recipe
St. Thomas, one of the 4 main islands in the US Virgin Island chain, is a top cruise ship destination, offers an array of fun tropical attractions and amenities, and is also a convenient base when wanting to explore other nearby islands. As the second largest and most populated island in the chain, there’s a myriad of options to fill your days there, from duty-free shopping to just lounging the day away under a palm tree with a drink in your hand and everything in between. Here is a list of reasons that we think might make you consider planning a trip to sunny St. Thomas, USVI.
US Residents Don’t Need a Passport to Travel to St. Thomas
Because St. Thomas is a US Territory, US residents don’t currently need a passport to travel to St. Thomas. (However, you may need proof of US citizenship to leave St. Thomas, which may include a birth certificate and a government issued ID – be sure to check with your airline to make assure you have the required documents).
In addition, there are daily non-stop flights from several major US airports including New York, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale. Less travel time = more beach time!
Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay
Beaches
St. Thomas is approximately 32 sq miles in size and dotted with scenic beaches. Many are easy to access and some have amenities such as beach bars or snack bars, restrooms and showers. A few of our favorites?
~ Magens Bay on the north side of the island. It’s incredibly scenic, good for walking the beach and swimming. There is an entry fee and a parking fee. (note: can be very busy when there are a lot of cruise ships in port) More about Magens Bay here.
~ Sapphire Beach on the east side of the island has a pretty stretch of white sand and is good for watersports and swimming. There are a few additional amenities such as a beach bar, restrooms and a restaurant within the Sapphire Beach development.
~ Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay is also on the east side and has gorgeous white sand fringing usually calm, turquoise water. It’s great for swimming and has picnic areas, restrooms and showers. There is an entry fee and a parking fee.
Shopping
Due to the high volume of cruise ship traffic, there are excellent shopping opportunities in historic Charlotte Amalie, in the kiosks at the harbor, Havensight and the high end, Yacht Haven Grande. Best things to buy? Paintings, artwork and jewelry from local artisans, spices and hot sauces, sea glass gifts and rum! Speaking of rum…
Rum
Although there are no rum distilleries on St. Thomas, there is no shortage of rum. Best places to enjoy a frosty rum drink in our opinion?
~ Bones Rum in Charlotte Amalie. Pour your own Bones rum drink – an excellent stop after a day of shopping. You might want to bring back a bottle or two as although it is now available in a few states in the US, it’s not available everywhere. Read more abut Bones Rum here.
~ Rum Island Pub in Charlotte Amalie. It’s under new ownership, but I can’t imagine they don’t still pour tasty, RIP’s – Rum Island Punch!
~ Duffy’s Love Shack – a restaurant bar in a parking lot in Red Hook. Try their signature drink, a Lime in Dee Coconut. The food is great too! More about Duffy’s Love Shack here.
~ Paradise Point, the skyride behind Havensight and the cruise ship dock. Try a Bushwacker while looking at the spectacular view of Charlotte Amalie from above- frozen chocolate and rum deliciousness, but be careful – they’re strong!! Read our post about Paradise Point and Bushwhackers here.
Adventure
Want to do something a little more adventurous? Here are a couple of great options.
~ Tree Limin’ Extreme – soar through the trees with an amazing view of Magens Bay on an exhilarating zipline with six ziplines, two foot bridges, and eight aerial tree platforms. Book ahead of time if possible – this zipline adventure fills up fast!
~ If you like hiking, take the trail down to Mermaid’s Chair (on the west side of the island). The hike is paved, but strenuous (mostly the hike back), but you will be rewarded with a view of a beach where the Atlantic and Caribbean waters meet.
~ Get on the water! Rent a stand up paddleboard (SUP), kayak, or jet ski, go snorkeling in the crystal clear water or take a half or full day excursion on a catamaran!
Those are just a few of the reasons why we think you should plan a trip to St. Thomas, USVI. Who’s ready to go?!
A special thanks to Glenn for allowing us to review the concept, packaging and contents of this product. We enjoyed the “research” immensely.
Imagine having the opportunity to sample rum from 24 different countries, compare tasting notes and get details about each of the rums including the type of still used, the country it’s from, alcohol content, and age. A rum lover’s dream…
Well, that’s exactly what’s available in a product from 1423 World Class Spirits called 24 Days of Rum – the Original Rum Calendar.
Fashioned after an advent or Christmas countdown calendar, this unique package includes two tasting glasses, 24-50ml bottles of rum, some well known, others unknown gems, and two tasting note books to document your findings and make comparisons. Plus, after sampling each offering, you can go to the 24 Days of Rum website and find additional details about each of the producing rum companies and their rum.
12 of the rums in this package
The package is a treat in and of itself; black with silver lettering and just enough information to make you want to open it immediately. Inside you will find 2 compartments at the top of the box with the tasting glasses and 24 numbered compartments below containing the rum samples. Also inside – two tasting books. It’s almost like a private rum class in a box!
1423 has released a new 24 Days of Rum Calendar for the last several years; each new release features a different assortment of rums. 1423 World Class Spirits is based in Denmark, so it is already available in many European countries, but this year marks its first venture into the US markets. Originally, I’m told, it will be available at Lee’s Liquor Stores in Nevada by the end of October with a retail price of $99 – $109. As we hear of additional US and Canadian distribution outlets, we’ll update the information here.
Everything from the concept to the packaging in the 24 Days of Rum Original Rum Calendar is first class and is sure to delight anyone who loves rum, from connoisseur’s to those who just want to explore the delicious spirit.
If you’re fortunate enough to be able to get to Lee’s and pick up one this season, you might as well pick up a couple; one for you and one as a gift for a lucky rum lover on your “very nice” list.
As we watch in disbelief the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian, a Cat 5 as it slowly passed over the Bahamian Islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama, it’s hard to fathom the relief and recovery process for residents of these beautiful islands. It will take years to clean up and re-build and, of course, the funds needed will be staggering. If you’d like to help, check out the links below to reputable charities that are accepting donations that will be used to help those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Thank you for your help!
Recently, lawmakers in the US Virgin Islands passed a bill that prohibits the sale of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. The ban is set to go into effect in March of 2020. Although these chemicals are probably not the sole cause of reef and coral damage, the US Virgin Islands is taking steps to slow down any damage that sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate may be causing.A study done in 2015 highlighted the effects of one of these chemicals, oxybenzne, on reef health. Florida and Hawaii have already passed similar bans.
FYI, Rum Therapy may receive a small share from purchases made via links on this page.
So, how do we protect ourselves from the damaging effects of too much sunshine while doing all we can to help protect our oceans? Suggestions include increasing the use of rashguards and sun protecting hats, limiting our exposure to the sun during the times of greatest UV exposure (10am-4pm), and finding reef-safe sunscreens, such as these brands listed below. These brands are zinc oxide and titanium oxide based and deemed safer alternatives by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
There are other brands that have developed a “reef safe” sunscreen that you may run across. Be sure to read the labels, because the ingredients vary, even within a brand. AND, be sure to find a sunscreen that will not only protect our beautiful oceans, but will protect you!
July 11 is officially dubbed National Mojito Day according to the folks that have put together the National Day Calendar (along with National Blueberry Muffin Day and National Cheer Up the Lonely Day). So in honor of this Rum Therapy observed holiday, we have put together a list of 10 Mojitos to try. Get that mint ready and try one or all! Which looks best to you?
Cheers to National Mojito Day!
Click on the name of each drink under its picture for the recipe.
We were recently invited to taste a very special rum, ARÔME True Rum 28. As we were not familiar with the name, we did a little research prior to our tasting and found that this luxurious rum is produced in Panama under the guidance of a rum mastero with over 50 years of experience making Cuban style rums and it had been awarded a Double Gold Award at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards in 2018. Additionally, ARÔME 28 has been aged for no less than 28 years in white oak casks formerly used to age Kentucky bourbon, and is a very limited edition.
The bottle and outer packaging were extraordinary – a white hand stitched box with an embossed leather label. The appearance of the box was quite luxurious and was a worthy container for the simple, but elegantly curved glass bottle with a black label and gold embossed lettering. The color of the rum in the bottle was deep and inviting.
We poured a sample, neat, and studied the nose. The aroma was one of the best we’d experienced (perhaps why it’s named ARÔME?) and we anticipated the taste would be equal, or perhaps even better (if that was possible), than the aroma. Once we forced ourselve to stop sniffing the deliciousness, we took our first taste. It certainly did not disappoint! A beautiful balance of spices and flavors that was not too sweet and an incredible smoothness from start to finish.
As mentioned previously, ARÔME 28 has been produced in a very limited edition and can be purchased at these fine shops according to their website. The price is indicative of a very fine rum ($500+ per bottle), so this is one for rum collectors and those that appreciate a limited edition, luxurious rum. In our opinion, ARÔME 28 would be one that is reserved for the most important occasions and shared only with those that really appreciate a fine rum. Use your best rum glasses for this one and try it neat so you can appreciate the excellent aroma and velvety smoothness.
Have you been lucky enough to sample ARÔME 28? If so, tell us what you thought!
Summer is finally here! Time for BBQ’s, long warm days and summer rum drinks… Need some good warm weather rum drink recipes to try? Here are 10 of our summer favorites. Print them out and try them all summer long! Click the name under each photo for the recipes. Enjoy!
