Local Drink specialties

Romana · Post by **Romana** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:55 am

I know rum punch is big, but any other local drinks? Leaving in exactly one week and cannot wait!

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 11:32 am

in some reastaurants you can get local homemade wine in tastes like banana, mango and other fruits and even in ginger... check it out (if you ever come to castara check out marguarites local cuisine and asked her...

Romana · Post by **Romana** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:40 pm

Brian, please excuse my American ignorance, but a coworker mentioned that I have to try a beverage or liquer by the name of 'Soca'. . . would this be what you mentioned?

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:29 pm

not drinking too much myself I would not know "soca". but local wine is not it. try what you can get....

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:10 pm

except for whisky,eh Brian?

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:22 pm

a little one now and then...

but not on a daily basis as some....

Ray Vanner · Post by **Ray Vanner** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:07 pm

Romana

The only Soca I know of is a type of music

Below is an extract from
http://caribplanet.homestead.com/101_Soca.html . You might want to have a look at the whole page as it goes into the history a lot more than I would like to paste here

Soca is a modern form of calypso with an up-tempo beat. There is a popular misconception that soca is a fusion of American soul music and traditional calypso. Hence the name "so-ca," soul/calypso. Though this sounds plausible, it is simply not true. Soca music originated as a fusion of calypso with Indian rhythms, thus combining the musical traditions to the two major ethnic groups of Trinidad and Tobago.

Not sure if this helps or not, but enjoy it anyway

I'm going to be there in 5 days

Ray

Romana · Post by **Romana** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:50 pm

Ray, thank you for the clarification - it will save me some embarrassment when I get there! Maybe my co-worker said he was drinking while enjoying the soca and I mistook it for a beverage!!!

Thanks for the link. . . I'm sure it will prove helpful to my trip. We're leaving in 5 days as well.

Ray Vanner · Post by **Ray Vanner** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:55 pm

Romana

You're welcome for the feedback. It may be fun finding that there is a cocktail called soca!

We are staying at Manta Lodge (2nd home for us!) for 2 weeks from 2 March if you want to stop by and have a Stag beer.

Ray

Romana · Post by **Romana** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:57 am

Ray,
So you are regulars to Tobago, eh? Do you often go around this time of year? If so, do you think we'll have any luck with seeing any turtles on the beach? I've read that typically it's later in March, but we're all crossing our fingers that we might get a glimpse of one! My family and I will be staying at the Hilto Tobago and unfortunately, we're only there for a short time. . . four days. Is the Manta Lodge far? If we're in the area we'll definetely swing by and look you up!

Ray Vanner · Post by **Ray Vanner** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:05 pm

Romana

Manta Lodge is the other end of the island in Speyside. Check out http://www.skyviews.com/tobago/tobagoroadmap.html for the only reasonable map of the island. Handy for all shops, eating, sports etc.

Not sure about the turtles though. We always go end Feb-early March for diving.

We are going to try and get to Plantations Golf Resort on Saturday afternoon. For cigars, not golf! New to me, but I've heard that Tavaco Tobago has moved there and I need to re-stock. Bad habit, but my only vice

Well, that and the rum

Oh, and the Stag beer

May catch you there.

Ray

Romana · Post by **Romana** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:01 pm

Ray,
That's a great tip about cigar shop. . . my husband is into the 'smelly' things as well!

I'll have to mention the Stag beer too!

Happy travels!
Romana

Nikos · Post by **Nikos** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:02 pm

Also, if you want beer but prefer something stronger/tastier to Carib and Stag, try Mackeson. It's dark and a bit bitter, in the Guiness variety, and much much better than the island's lager. I think it comes from St.Kitts.

Ray Vanner · Post by **Ray Vanner** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:23 pm

Oh yes

, forgot to mention the Mackeson

. Funny thing is that I only drink it on Tobago, not back in the UK

Be a bit careful with it though on your first try-it can make you a little loose

Ray

Chris Cross · Post by **Chris Cross** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:53 pm

Why did not anyone mention Ginger - Beer?

I had 2 of those at the turtlebeach from an elder lady - cannot remeber her name because my lights went off as i finisihed the last one...

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:05 am

Hi Chris,

are you sure it was beer you were drinking?

Chris Cross · Post by **Chris Cross** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:58 pm

sure! she called it GingerBeer... STRONGGGGGGGGGGG

Jane H · Post by **Jane H** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:30 pm

Sounds like some kind of home brew to me - and those can certainly pack quite a punch!

Jane

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:23 pm

Jane,you are right.Ginger beer strong is home brewed ok.It tastes like good quality old fashioned ginger beer,slightly opaque and has been fermented for two or three weeks(the more sugar the longer to ferment,the stronger itis).It is very refreshing,but,as Chris found out a little powerful!!!!!!
David