Ginger Beer! Ponche ah Crème and Sorrel! A glass of local wine went to his head! He turned to me and said! Oh Yes! Trini Christmas is the best!

You know you bell out the lyrics to this song every Christmas but do you know what’s in these drinks? The next best thing to Trinidad’s fruit cake is its local beverages for Christmas. Ever had a cold glass of sorrel and yuh park up?

Ponche De Creme

Drink ah rum an ah ponche ah crème drink ah rum! Ponche ah crème is personally my favourite Christmas drink. The smooth silky taste of milky alcohol to make your taste buds throw a fete on ya tongue. Its ingredients are eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, bitters, nutmeg and lemon zest. The potency of the drink is dependent upon the percentage of alcohol in the rum used. The preferred rum for this drink is Puncheon. Ponche de crème is usually made by the bottles during Christmas time because it finishes so quickly. People even put it to freeze for months to crack it open in the middle of the year. Its that good!

Sorrel Drink

Yuh wa some sorrel or wa?! You know its Christmas time in Trinidad when there are piles and piles of sorrel in the market. Sorrel or Roselle , as its called in other parts of the world, is from the hibiscus family. The sorrel drink is made from the sepals of the sorrel. Its added ingredients include water, sugar and cinnamon. Though a non-alcoholic drink, some people add rum.

Five Finger Wine

Ah want some homemade wine! Madam Gloria! Gimmeh the homemade wine! It nicee! Ever had a delicious glass of homemade wine from your grandmother that Merlot and Carbernet couldn’t contest? Well homemade wine is that wine! Five finger wine includes, five finger or star fruit ,yeast sugar , water and raisins. Made sometimes months before Christmas so that the yeast can create that pungent and alluring aroma to woo your senses. Like other wines, the longer it stays fermenting the higher your chances of toppling over.

Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a fermented drink. Not exactly a beer but the longer the ginger stays fermenting the stronger the drink. It is definitely an acquired taste. Usually served chilled or with ice to quench the thirst of those who like the love burn of ginger. Its ingredients include ginger roots, lime or lemon juice,cloves and cinnamon.