A "Santo Libre": Rum and Lemon-Lime Soda |
Presidente Beer
Even Hillary Enjoys a Bien
Fría.
|
Rum
Just as ubiquitous as Presidente is Brugal, the favored
hometown Dominican rum. Take it straight out of the bottle, as is done in the
countryside, or play it cool by mixing it with Coke and ice. Urban Dominicans
turn to Barceló, a smoother and slightly more expensive brand of rum. Other
lesser-known brands include Siboney and Macorix. Rum generally comes as both
white (blanco) and dark, of which
there are three kinds: the cheapest and sharpest, dorado; a mid-level variety, called añejo; and the longest-aged, most expensive, extra viejo or extra añejo.
One of the most popular, and intriguing, rum-based drinks is
mamajuana. An empty bottle is filled
with cinnamon, clove, and any other number of other herbs, bark and spices. Another
seaside variation involves the eyebrow-raising ingredients of octopus, conch,
oysters and squid. The solid ingredients are first cured with honey or molasses
and red wine. Rum is then poured in and allowed to soak in the various flavors
before being consumed. Dominicans will enthusiastically speak of mamajuana’s aphrodisiac qualities, usually
accompanied by a corresponding hand gesture.
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