With sorrel season in full swing, I thought I’d highlight how important this fruit is to Trinidadians. Similar to how pumpkin flavored drinks are for Americans during the fall and winter, sorrel is the staple drink ingredient in the Caribbean during the holidays. It is traditionally used for making popular Christmas-time drinks, but it is also used to make jams, jellies, syrups, cakes and other desserts. A member of the hibiscus family, the sorrel flower is edible. Tart in taste, some locals like to simply eat the petals with a pinch of salt.

Sorrel made its way to the Caribbean hundreds of years ago from West Africa and has planted itself in island traditions. Trinidadians would say that without sorrel, there is no Christmas! The drink is paired with every meal or alongside a rum cake, and for adults, it is mixed with rum, wine or sherry. Every Trinidadian has a fond memory of sorrel during the holidays whether it was helping mother with taking the seeds out of the flower to prepare the drink or simply drinking it during the festivities.

I’d like to feature one of my favorite holiday drinks, the sorrel mojito, created by the amazing mixologists here at Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

Ingredients

2oz Appleton rum

3oz Sorrel juice

1 Lime

8 mint leaves

Splash of soda water

Method

Muddle mint and lime, pour all beverages, roll in a shaker and pour into rock glass garnish with fresh limes and mint.

This recipe was submitted by Hyatt Regency Trinidad’s executive chef Fernando Franco and his team, which are members of this year’s ‘Caribbean National Team of the Year’ at Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.

The post How to Make a Sorrel Mojito appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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This is the hub of the British Virgin Islands: Tortola, the green-hilled beauty that is both the heart and the launching point for all of the BVI archipelago, whether you’re taking a sailing charter, or hopping to an island Virgin Gorda. But Tortola is a beachy paradise in its own right, with long stretches of perfect white sand, a vibrant community and some great places to stay. Here are 13 photos that will have you thinking of Tortola as your next destination in the Caribbean.

Tortola’s West End is the gateway to the island, particularly if you’re coming from the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands on a ferry.

Long Bay is the jewel of Tortola, the perfect stretch of sand that’s among the greatest beaches in the Caribbean.

If there is a Mecca in Tortola, it is this: Bomba Shack, the world-famous beach shack (famous for its full-moon parties) that is among the island’s most energetic places.

Stoutt’s Lookout, owned by Prince Stoutt, above, enjoys the best views on the island.

It’s a great place to enjoy local spirits like Arundel rum.

Road Town is the capital of the BVI and a lovely little town that recently unveiled a major new cruise port.

Tortola is the charter sailing capital of the Caribbean, home to hub of The Moorings, the world-famous charter company.

Pusser’s is a hallowed name in the BVI, and the company’s Road Town Pub is a must-stop.

Yes, it’s a full-fledged British-style pub.

Cane Garden Bay is Tortola’s beach bar capital, and Myett’s, above, is a great place to stay.

It’s a place for endless beach bar crawls.

Paradise Club is perhaps the stretch’s best beach bar.

But it all begins and ends with Long Bay. At dusk the place takes on an almost mystical quality.

The post 13 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Tortola appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Hilton Aruba is readying for a major relaunch.

The hotel on Aruba’s Palm Beach is set to unveil a $25 million redesign project in mid-December.

The project includes the addition of specialty cabanas, a professional beach tennis court, redesigned guest rooms and suites, an overhauled lobby, “reconceptualized” menus and decor at the property’s restaurants and new landscaping.

Set in the heart of Aruba’s Palm Beach Strip, the resort has 355 guest rooms.

Hilton took over the former Radisson Aruba property in the summer of 2015.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Hilton Aruba Set to Relaunch Following $25 Million Redesign appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Hotel giant Riu has debuted its first-ever adults-only all-inclusive in the Mexican Caribbean.

The company has reopened the Riu Palace Las Americas as an adults-only property following a renovation project.

The changes to the resort include a new cappuccino bar, a new open-air bar, a new 24-hour lounge and completely renovated common areas.

All-inclusive amenities on hand include free Wi-fi throughout the hotel and premium liquor, including in-room dispensers.

Riu operates all-inclusive properties around the wider Caribbean-Mexico region, including hotels in Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, the Bahamas, Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Aruba and St. Martin.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Riu Opens Its First Adults-Only in the Mexican Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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European carrier Norwegian has resumed its nonstop service from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to the French Caribbean.

The carrier has resumed flights from cities including New York, Boston and Baltimore-Washington to both Martinique and Guadeloupe for the tourist season.

Norwegian is operating flights to Martinique twice weekly from Baltimore; thrice weekly from New York City and twice-weekly from Boston.

The carrier is also operating flights to Guadeloupe twice weekly from Baltimore; thrice weekly from New York City and twice-weekly from Boston.

Norwegian is also set to launch new nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to Guadeloupe beginning Dec. 4.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Norwegian Resumes Nonstop Flights to Martinique, Guadeloupe appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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