Set upon the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, French Leave Resort overlooks a paradise of pink sand.

The French Leave Resort

To accompany the view, the resort’s restaurant, 1648 Bar & Grille, offers a signature rum punch that’s as laid back as the tropics.

Here’s how to perfectly set the mood for a day in paradise with 1648 Punch.

Combine:

¾ oz. Wray & Nephew Rum

¾ oz. Ricardo Coconut Rum

¾ oz. Plantation Dark Rum

1 oz. Grapefruit Juice

1 oz. Orange Juice

1 oz. Oleo Saccharum

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Strain into glass and garnish with mint leaves.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post Your Next Bahamian Rum Punch Recipe Is From Eleuthera appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Trinidad — it’s home to some of the Caribbean’s best rum (and appreciation for rum), led by the world-famous Angostura.

Whether you’re in the rum shop, at carnival or just sitting in a hotel bar, rum is always here in abundance.

That brings us to the latest cocktail creation from Trinidad’s Hyatt Regency, the Chutney Rhythm.

It’s a delicious blend of fruit and spice, with a lovely Angostura foundation.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

Angostura White Rum -1 oz

Angostura 1919 Rum -1 oz

Fresh mango  juice – 2 oz

Native clove syrup -0.5 oz

Method:

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass with a salted rim and add a maraschino cherry as garnish.

— CJ

The post This Is Your New Cocktail Recipe From Trinidad appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A creative approach to combat unemployment

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Jamaican company Bartley’s All In Wood has launched a crowd-funding campaign to increase employment in one of the island’s rural areas while developing their business.

The Mandeville-based family-owned company uses woodworking off-cuts to make art, accessories and souvenirs. According to managing director Lacey-Ann Bartley, Jamaica has one of the highest youth crime rates in the Caribbean, and there is a strong correlation between youth crime and youth unemployment. The five-year-old company has a team of 10 full- and part-timers, all of whom are unskilled young men from the local community, who are taught the art of wood carving and turning.

“Bartley’s offers hope, skills, purpose and an alternative to crime. Not only are we helping stem youth unemployment, but we are also a community business, which means that the income we earn is distributed throughout the community,” Bartley asserts.

The goal of the $3,000 campaign, launched August 1 on isupportjamaica.com, is to allow Bartley’s to employ more local staff and to purchase their own engraving machine so they can keep up with demand for their popular hardwood coasters and cutting boards.

“Why should a guest come to Jamaica and get a souvenir that’s made elsewhere? Our vision is that tourists will come here and by Jamaican gifts made by Jamaican labor from Jamaican wood,” said the 29-year-old entrepreneur.

Backers can contribute as little as $10 to the fund, which expires August 31, and, as a token of appreciation, may receive with their donation (depending on its size) items ranging from key rings to having a tree planted in their name.

“Employment and training provides empowerment and change in these young men’s lives,” said Bartley. “I’m building upon what my father started with the aim of growing [Bartley’s] into a sustainable enterprise that benefits our community and Jamaica.”

For more information or to make a donation, go to isupportjamaica.com or bartleysallinwood.com.

The post How This Jamaican Art Company Is Combating Youth Unemployment appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Jamaica keeps getting greener.

Following the launch of a major new wind farm on the island, the country’s government announced that it was finalizing an agreement with Eight Rivers Energy Company to build and operate a 33.1-megawatt solar facility at Paradise Park in Westmoreland.

The plant represents an investment of $50 million, with construction slated to start in the next calendar year.

Supply to the grid is slated to begin in 2018.

“This will be the lowest cost ever for solar power in Jamaica. It will also advance the Government’s major policy objective, namely, the diversification of Jamaica’s energy supply mix to reduce cost and dependence on imported oil,” said Jamaica Energy Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley.

Jamaica is also returning to the market with a new request for proposal for 100 megawatts of renewable energy.

“It is our intention to grow the Jamaican economy in a sustainable, endogenous and inclusive manner. This is the notion of prosperity for all. The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology is playing a leading role in this regard. One only has to look at our net billing arrangement which has significantly boosted the capacity of individuals to earn from their renewable energy efforts,”he said.

The post New $50 Million Solar Facility Coming to Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Hotels in the region have announced creative new positions in all kinds of fields in recent years, from wellness concierges to rum sommeliers.

Now, Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort has announced its newest hire: a vibe manager.

The St Lucia property has appointed Yasa Sereno as its new vibe manager, or, as it describes, “the person who creates the overall feel of a resort.”

Sereno works with the hotel’s team on all creative levels, “from setting the perfect mood for a romantic dinner at the Bayside Restaurant, to curating the perfect playlist at the pool,” the property says.

— CJ Staff

The post This Caribbean Hotel Now Has a “Vibe Manager” appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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