Belize's Liquid Gold: Exploring The Country's Unique Drinking Culture

Belize is known for its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and ancient Mayan ruins. But did you know that it's also home to a variety of unique and delicious local drinks? From refreshing fruit juices to potent rum cocktails, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Belize.

Belikin beer is the most popular beer in Belize. This refreshing lager has a crisp, clean taste that's perfect for hot days spent lounging on the beach. It's brewed in Belize City using locally sourced ingredients, including malted barley, hops, and water from the country's pristine rivers. There are several varieties of Belikin beer available, including the classic lager, a full-bodied stout, and the fruity sorrel stout.

In addition to beer, Belize offers a range of creative cocktails and unique alcoholic beverages. Rum is a popular spirit in Belize, and it's often mixed with fruit juices to create drinks like the Panti Rippa (a combination of coconut rum and pineapple juice) or the Cranbarrel (One Barrel Rum with cranberry juice). The Rum Punch is another classic Caribbean cocktail, made with rum, fruit juice, and grenadine.

For something truly unique, visitors can try cashew wine, made from the fruit of the cashew tree, or the Seaweed Shake, a blend of fresh seaweed, coconut water, and sweetened condensed milk. Horchata, a traditional Mexican drink made with rice, almonds, cinnamon, and sugar, is also popular in Belize.

So, whether you're looking for a refreshing beer, a fruity cocktail, or a unique local beverage, Belize has something to offer every type of drinker.

What do they drink in Belize?

Rum-based drinks, including rum punch and the national cocktail, the Panty Ripper

Belize is known for its rum-based drinks, with over 15 types of rum produced in the country. One of the most popular rum-based drinks in Belize is the Panty Ripper, also known as Panti Rippa or Panty Rippa. This cocktail is a mixture of Kuknat coconut rum and pineapple juice, creating a refreshing and tropical taste. With the perfect balance of sweetness and a smooth finish, the Panty Ripper is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

Another beloved rum-based cocktail in Belize is the Rum Punch. While the exact recipe may vary, the classic Rum Punch combines light and dark rum with cream of coconut, fruit juice, grenadine, and pineapple juice. The result is a delicious and potent drink that embodies the Caribbean flavours of Belize.

One-Barrel Rum, produced by Travellers Liquors, is a popular choice for rum enthusiasts in Belize. This award-winning rum has a smooth finish and hints of passion fruit, hibiscus, and papaya. It serves as the perfect base for many cocktails, including the Cranbarrel, which is a combination of One-Barrel Rum and cranberry juice.

Belizean bartenders take pride in their craft, constantly experimenting with new concoctions and techniques. While Belikin beer may be the most popular drink in Belize, the country's rum-based cocktails, like the Panty Ripper and Rum Punch, offer a unique and memorable taste of Belize's culture and history.

Local beers, including Belikin and Lighthouse Lager

Belize is a small Central American country known for its beaches, jungles, and Mayan ruins. It also has a variety of unique local drinks, including local beers such as Belikin and Lighthouse Lager.

Belikin is the most popular beer in Belize. It is brewed in Belize City using locally sourced ingredients, including malted barley, hops, and water from the country's pristine rivers. The name "Belikin" comes from a Mayan term for the Belize River, meaning "road to the east". Belikin is a multi-generational family-owned business based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City. With a state-of-the-art brewery, they produce 450 bottles per minute. The company was founded in 1969, and the first Belikin beer was brewed in 1971.

Belikin offers a range of beers, including:

• Belikin Lager: The classic European-style lager with a 4.8% alcohol content.
• Belikin Stout: A full-bodied stout with a rich, smoky taste. It is made with German hops, Canadian malt, and local cane sugar.
• Belikin Premium: A malty, hearty beer made with two types of hops and three different malts.
• Belikin Sorrel Stout: Introduced a few years ago, it features a blend of German hops, specialty malts, and local sorrel.
• Chocolate Stout: Inspired by a traditional Mayan recipe, it is a creamy beer with a chocolate finish.

In addition to their regular offerings, Belikin also produces seasonal brews and bottles a locally produced Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.

Lighthouse Lager is another popular beer in Belize. It is a lighter beer, a Canadian Pilsner with a 4.2% alcohol content. It is described as a refreshing, crisp lager. Lighthouse Lager is brewed by Lighthouse Brewing Co., a company that has been dedicated to crafting high-quality, handcrafted beers for 25 years.

Whether you're enjoying the beaches or exploring the ancient ruins, Belikin and Lighthouse Lager are two local beers that offer a refreshing taste of Belize.

Fruit juices, such as watermelon, papaya, mango and lime

Belize is a small country in Central America known for its lush jungles, beautiful beaches, and ancient Mayan ruins. The country also boasts a variety of delicious and unique local drinks, including refreshing fruit juices.

Belize's balmy climate and fertile soils make it ideal for growing organic fruits such as watermelon, papaya, mango, and lime, which are commonly used to make fresh juices. These juices are often paired with local seafood dishes, such as grilled conch or barbecued lobster, or enjoyed on their own as a refreshing beverage on a hot day.

Watermelon juice is a perfect choice for those seeking a hydrating and revitalizing drink. The fruit is abundant in Belize and is transformed into a refreshing juice that is sometimes blended with other fruits or herbs for added flavour.

Papaya, another popular fruit in Belize, yields a sweet and creamy juice. Its unique flavour profile, reminiscent of a blend of strawberries and pineapples with a hint of tartness, makes it a favourite among locals and visitors alike. Papaya juice is not only delicious but also packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants.

Mangoes, with their vibrant colours and flavours, are a treat for the senses. Mango juice in Belize is a celebration of the fruit's natural sweetness and can be enjoyed on its own or blended with other ingredients to create tropical cocktails.

Lime juice, a staple in Belizean cuisine, adds a tangy twist to both food and drinks. It is often used to enhance the flavours of seafood dishes and is a key ingredient in the beloved Rum Punch, a classic Caribbean cocktail. The sourness of lime juice balances the sweetness of the other ingredients, creating a perfect harmony of flavours.

The abundance of fresh fruits in Belize ensures that the juices are packed with flavour and nutritional benefits. Whether enjoyed pure or mixed, these fruit juices showcase the country's vibrant culture and hospitality.

Wine, including cashew and chocolate-infused wines

Belize may be better known for its beers and rums, but the small Central American country also has a unique wine culture. While the climate is not conducive to growing Vitis vinifera grapes, Belizeans make wine from a variety of other fruits and ingredients.

One of the most notable examples is cashew wine, made from the fruit of the cashew tree. The cashew fruit is typically discarded after harvesting the nuts, but in Belize, it is used to make a sweet and tangy wine with a distinct nutty flavour. Cashew wine is often compared to a light sherry and is perfect for sipping on a warm evening. Mr. P's Genuine Cashew Wine is one popular option, described as having "hints of residual sugar, pleasant, almost port-like or sherry-like but in modest tones not overbearing".

Another unique wine from Belize is chocolate-infused wine, made using locally sourced cacao. Marie Sharp, a Belizean hot sauce entrepreneur, offers a range of chocolate wines at her tourist centre in San Ignacio. While there are no specific tasting notes for her chocolate wine, her spicy sauces and habanero hot sauces are beloved by many.

In addition to cashew and chocolate wines, Belize also produces wine from other local ingredients such as sorrel. These wines tend to be on the sweeter side, but they are a delightful treat for those with a sweet tooth.

So, while Belize may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of wine destinations, the country certainly offers a diverse and intriguing selection of wines for those willing to explore beyond the typical grape varieties.

Cocktails made with Caribbean Gold rum

Belize, a small country in Central America, is known for its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and ancient Mayan ruins. The country also offers a variety of unique local drinks, including refreshing fruit juices and potent rum cocktails.

Caribbean Gold Rum is a very delicious rum, and there is no consensus on the best mixer to accentuate its taste. Here are some cocktail recipes that use Caribbean Gold Rum:

Caribbean Rum Punch

Caribbean Rum Punch is a classic Caribbean cocktail that is popular in Belize. It typically includes a combination of rum (white, gold, dark, or coconut), fruit juices (such as pineapple, orange, passion fruit, and grenadine), and bitters. The traditional recipe, credited to Barbados, calls for "one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, and four of weak." The "sour" can be lime juice, the "sweet" can be sugar or syrup, the "strong" is rum, and the "weak" can be water, club soda, ginger ale, or fruit juice. A dash of bitters, such as Trinidad's Angostura brand, completes the drink.

Classic Daiquiri Cocktail

The Classic Daiquiri Cocktail is a simple yet elegant drink that has just three ingredients: Bacardi Gold Rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. It is a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, with the rum shining through, making it a favorite among rum enthusiasts.

Mai Tai Cocktail

The Mai Tai Cocktail is a fruity and refreshing drink that blends sweet and sour flavors. It is made with Bacardi Gold Rum, orange liqueur, amaretto, lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and grenadine. The combination of rum, amaretto, and orange liqueur gives this cocktail a unique flavor.

Pineapple Mojito

The Pineapple Mojito is a refreshing and flavorful cocktail that transports you to a tropical paradise. It is made with Bacardi Gold Rum, fresh pineapple puree or juice, simple syrup, lime juice, and fresh mint. Serving it in a cup made from a fresh pineapple adds a fun and unique touch. The sweetness of the pineapple and the freshness of the mint perfectly complement the smoothness of the rum.

Classic Hurricane Cocktail

The Classic Hurricane Cocktail is a fruity and refreshing drink that originated in New Orleans. It combines white and dark rum with freshly squeezed orange and lime juice and a splash of grenadine. It has a beautiful pink color and is perfect for a tropical-themed party or a backyard barbecue.

Caribbean Gold Rum is a versatile spirit that can be mixed with various ingredients to create delicious cocktails. These recipes showcase the range of flavors and styles that can be achieved, from the classic and elegant to the fruity and tropical.

Frequently asked questions