Favorite drinks
Submitted by puerto george on Wed, 2005/07/13 - 17:35.
so i have read all the ecology, political important stuff and i have one question that will make or break a good time in nicaland....what is the most popular drinks and what are they made of......
well maybe it wont make or break but it cant hurt to know
FDC
The rum from Nicaragua is first rate. If you intend to mix it with a little (or a lot) of Coke (or whatever), it might not matter much how good the rum is (diluting anything, dilutes one's ability to differentiate it from, any other thing, good or toherwise, especially one thing of great quality...). Nicaraguan rum is good compared to anything liquorwise, made anywhere in the world. It has ranked in the top 3, by country, by category, many times in the last 20 years. The 4-year aged bottles are not "cheap" (price yes, value definitely no), which are $4+, and hold there own to bottles in the U.S. or Candada which cost $12-$26, irrespective of what anyone tells you (though the 5-year, and especailly, 7-year bottles reign supreme, but one should expect this, based on age and price); the Flor de Cana Limon rum won many awards, recently, for best flavored rum under $40 (even though it costs a mere $17 outside Nicaragua). Depends what you want, and what you know about rum. Nicaraguan rum is nothing to joke about, and holds its own against comparabel items, even the famed "Cubans" -- like in the same way as say Honduran beer, or Chilean wine or whatever you find in the Americas Centrales -- things prized for quality...
That's easy
You need a bottle of Flor de Caña and optionally some ice and some Coke or Pepsi. If it is serious business, you generally skip the options.
Now, a tip. The "typical" Flor de Caña (meaning what a Nicaraguan usually buys for a party) is very similar to lighter fluid. If you like drinking lighter fluid, fine. But, for maybe 20% more (that boils down to about $5/fifth) you can get the 7-year stuff which is actually excellent. Your choice.
Ice is No Option -- No "Gran Reserva"..
In Corn Island for 10 years, all of us drank the 7 year "Gran Reserva".
In Port, I only drink the "Extra Light". The sugar content in the "Gran Reserva" is much too high and too sweet -- Especially when mixed with the "Coca-Cola". I do not mix with "Pepsi" because that cola is too sweet -- Only "Coca-Cola".
I have a friend (72 years old) in Corn Island who used to check his blood sugar with one of those electronic gizmos every day. When he drank "Gran Reserva", the sugar level would go very high. When he drank the "Extra Light", the sugar level would go very low.
Use a short drinking glass and use ice (mandantory) and the lime and the perfect "Cuba Libre". In Cuba -- only White rum. ____________________________________________________________________
Rum Alert!
Rum Alert Rum Alert Rum Alert
While passing through Managua airport last week, there were several posters in ingles y español advertising "take an 18-year old home with you". I figured that sounds good...
Flor de Caña has an 18-year old rum. Winner of a bunch of awards. Bought a liter for, gulp, $25. Haven't seen it anywhere else but then Boaco is a Ron Plata or Extra Lite kinda place.
This stuff is awesome!!! No mixer, very little ice. Smooth, rich, awesome!!! Ah, I repeat myself.
Miskito Alan - will find some in Managua and bring with to Port. Gaston should love it!
As said below - don't buy FDC or cigs at Managua duty-free. Much cheaper WITH taxes outside the airport!
i got my work cut out
i am really depressed right now. i was going to retire but i guess i will have to go to work as a drink sampler in nicaragua for awhile.....its a bad job but someone has to do it. but social life might be a benefit!!!! first job i have had that i have to pay to keep doing
promise i wont buy cigs or FDC at the airport.
learning the hard way
i have always it seems learned the hard way....will probably try the cheaper stuff first just to have a taste for the gooooood stuff. thanks
Cheaper is "Ron Plata".
Better you just buy kerosene at "Petronic" and mix that with whatever mix.
You can buy the 750ml of "Extra Light" by the case for about U$4/bottle.
Leave the "Ron Plata" and run.
George -- I told you via email how much money that you will save on cartons of cigarettes; so, I think that you can handle the U$4 for the fifth of "Extra Light". ___________________________________________________________________
ok ok
"Extra Light" it is......
i'll walking around nica retired with a pack of smokes and a fifth. maybe doing some artwork.
well the artwork will suffer but i'll be happy in my own world.
Scotch.
On my very infrequent trips to the USA (America); I buy "Dewars White Label" for about U$20 and the "JW Black" is about U$30.
On leaving or returning of the Managua airport "duty free"; I can buy the "Dewars" for U$10 (1/2 price) or the same price U$30 for "JW Black". Of course, the Nicaraguans love the "JW Black" and I think that is the reason for the price/same difference.
Note: I don't support dictatorships; but, the last Somoza only drank "Dewars White Label" -- So, I guess we had a little something in common. ____________________________________________________________________
i will stop
i will stop at the "duty free" for sure. think we can handle two whole bottles on a 30 day stay?
Buy What You Want.
The customs (aduana) does not care what you buy from the "duty free" shop and 101% of the time, the customs (aduana) will not check anything anyway for gringos unless you have 48 suitcases.
Just get me one bottle of the "Dewar's White Label".
Don't buy any cigarettes or "Flor de Cana" at the "duty free".
Just come. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
good as done
its a deal