Jamaican Yard Vibes

INGREDIENTS

White, dark & coconut rum (Cocomania) — 1 part ea
Triple Sec — 1/2 part
Peach schnapps — 1/2 part
Simple syrup — 1/2 part
Lime juice — 1/2 part
Pineapple juice — apporx 2 oz.
Grenadine — by eye
Blue Curacao syrup — by eye

STEPS

1	Add white rum, dark rum, coconut rum, Triple Sec, peach schnapps, simple syrup, lime juice and pineapple juice
2	Shake mixture with ice
3	Pour Grenadine slowly down the side to the bottom
4	Gently pour Blue Curacao on top to layer
5	Garnish as desired

The Houseboat Grill

Location: Jamaica

Bartender: Rick

The Houseboat Grill is a delightful floating restaurant in Montego Bay that requires taking a small barge a few feet from land to the eatery.

The food and drinks, with their divine taste, are a true indulgence and the scenery captures the beauty of Jamaica.

Having lived in Jamaica, I can attest to the saying that a part of your soul never truly leaves. Jamaica holds a special place in my heart, with its breathtaking beauty, rich culture, vibrant music, laid-back lifestyle and deep respect for others. It’s a place that truly has it all.

Our wonderful host, Rick, introduced us to The Spirited Jamaican Yard Vibes, a delightful rum-based drink that he personally crafted.

For those seeking a more mellow option, the Jamaica Me Happy is a colorful concoction of various fruit juices, offering a refreshing and vibrant taste of the island.

Entrance

Barge to Get There

IRIE!

That sound says, “All’s well,” accompanied by comfort and chilling out.

It’s not the sound I heard when I face-planted on a moped, losing consciousness and waking up to hear the doctor say, “Don’t let her see a mirror!”

My Rastafarian friend brought me medicine grown in her garden to treat the 36 stitches in my face. She also made me daily fresh hand-squeezed juices.

And the miraculous transformation from injury to healing, thanks to her concoctions, would rival the most expensive plastic surgery, which was Irie indeed.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

The Bathtub

INGREDIENTS

Herradura Tequila Reposado 1.5 oz.
Lime Juice 1 oz.
Passion fruit syrup .75 oz.
Peach Schnapps .5 oz.
Egg white 1 oz.
Edible foam
Bathtub and rubber ducky

STEPS

1	Shake all ingredients and strain into a mini bathtub
2	For extra points, create edible bubbles and add a little ducky for company

Glowbal

Vancouver, B.C.. Canada

Bartender: Alberto Hernon
Drinks by Martin Coles

So, this night I need a relaxing bath… not to bathe in but to drink.

What a surprise to find The Glow Bar, an elegant upscale restaurant and bar. And even more surprising was enjoying the creation of by far and away one of my all-time favorite drinks. Alberto and his glowing personality lit up the bar in a luxurious atmosphere with music to match. I agree with the Travelers Choice Award 2021 that this is in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. The unique drinks at The Glow Bar are not just a must-try but a thrilling experience for any adventurous soul.

My girlfriend and I split our spirited drink, The Bathtub, a unique concoction served in a miniature pink bathtub, garnished with bubbles and a rubber ducky, which was quickly drained. I bought a souvenir tub and ducky that makes me smile when I see it on my bookshelf. And our free-spirited Dalgonas coffee, a perfect end to our evening, did not disappoint.

Entrance

Drained bathtub!

AHHHH!

The sound of the relaxing ride down a Cat. 2 river that turned into AYYYYYYYE Cat. 4-s! Recalling the thrill of not one but two of my not-so-relaxing river rides that were sold as a leisurely float down a scenic river. One was in Colorado and the other was in Costa Rica.

The unexpected turn of events transformed these rides into rip-roaring and challenging adventures, forcing me to navigate the rapids as I prayed to get through in one piece.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Hemingway’s Special

INGREDIENTS

Dark Rum, Cavalier local rum
Blue Curacao
Coconut
Orange juice
Crushed ice
One shot of a secret surprise (36 years old)

STEPS

1	See video for steps
5	Garnish as desired

Hemingway’s

Location: Antigua

Bartender: Schion

Antigua, like every island, has its own unique charm and Hemingway’s is no exception. Nestled in the heart of St. Johns, just a short walk from the cruise ship pier, this gem was a regular haunt for me during my days working on cruise ships with Antigua on the itinerary.

The second-floor terrace, a serene oasis above the bustling town, offers the perfect setting to savor the ocean breezes, relish the flavors of great Caribbean cuisine and sip a refreshing drink.

After a yummy lunch with a friend, Schion, the delightful bartender, whipped up some local drinks.

The Hemingway’s Special, a spirited drink, contains a surprise ingredient that’s been a secret for the past 36 years. The free-spirited drink turned out to be a fruit punch, a delightful and refreshing choice that was far more enjoyable than the sucker punch I referred to earlier.

Entrance

The terrace

OPA!

The Greek exclamation typically accompanies a plate smashing on the floor, not my head bashing against a door.

As a Shore Excursion Manager decades ago, while working on a cruise ship docked at a Greek Island, I did my usual rounds visiting my tour operator’s establishment.

The last thing I expected was to be ambushed by a stranger who followed me around the block and into the store, unbeknownst to me. Suddenly, he grabbed me by my arm and hair and began smashing my head into the wall while screaming, “I’m going to kill you,” leaving my head with a large lump.

Now that’s what I call the ultimate sucker punch! Three guys pulled him off me and I lived to tell the tale.

So what better drink to celebrate the end of that calamity than a Fruit Punch.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Blue Mountain Snake

INGREDIENTS

Snake rum 2 oz.
Blue Curacao 1 oz.
Lime juice 1 oz.
Orange juice 2 oz.

STEPS

1	Mix all ingredients in a shaker and shake
2	Pour into a highball glass

The Ruins Rock Cafe

Location: Dominica

Bartender: Thomas

I laughed at the name of the bar, The Ruins Rock Cafe, recalling a passenger who told me what she thought of the tour I offered to the Mexican ruins in Chichen Itza.

She said if she wanted to see ruins, she would look in the mirror. In Mexico, mescal is famous for having a worm inside, accompanied by folklore about hallucinating if you eat it.

The Ruins Cafe in Domenica, a wild and crazy-colorful bar, is nestled in the ruins of a burnt-out building. It’s a resurrection that is truly mind-blowing. This bar tops the list in all my travels as having the most shockingly unique contents in their alcohol.

The choices are extensive, a true adventure for the palate, including rum bottles with centipedes, slugs, lizards and grasshoppers, locusts and lucky snakes marinating inside bottles of local rum.

If you’re not in the mood for the daily kill, you can chill with a marijuana rum punch! By far and away, the most exotic bar I’ve visited, I’m pretty sure I would have ended up psychotic had I decided to imbibe.

Our bartender, Thomas, this afternoon showcased his craft by creating a vibrant Blue Mountain Snake rum drink, a spirited choice indeed. And for those with a free-spirited palate (and a preference for animal-free cocktails), he whipped up a refreshing Tropical Fruit Punch.

Inside the colorful bar

Exotic concoctions if you dare

HISS!

The sound of a snake when not marinated in a bottle of alcohol. And a flashback to a snake who conned me out of my condo.

I bought my dream condo pre-construction when living in Cozumel. After a tropical storm turned into a Cat. 5 hurricane churning over the island like blending a margarita, I faced my apartment after losing all my possessions.

The emotional toll of a legal battle with a developer who repossessed my condo with the help of forged documents and a months-long battle in a Mexican court case was immense.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Ti Punch

INGREDIENTS

Rum
Fresh cane juice or brown sugar
Ice
Limes

STEPS

1	Squeeze two lime wedges into a glass
2	Add ice
3	Add rum
4	Add fresh cane juice

Trois Rivières

Location: Martinique

Bartender: Steffi Emilen

Right along the waterfront, a short walk from the cruise ship pier, are markets filled with vendors selling their local wares and fun outside bars offering a variety of places to try the local drinks.

My bartender, Lucie, with a smile as bright as the sunny day, concocted a local specialty rum drink called “Ti-punch.”

The super refreshing, free-spirited drink of the day was a Nojito, a delightful surprise that added just the spark I needed for my day.

After the fall

The bar side view

WHOOPS!

Rather than flashing back to a past calamity, this bright and sunny day provided the perfect environment for a fiasco right there on the spot.

After strolling the boardwalk and ordering my drinks, I saw people posing for pictures in front of a bench and a giant monkey statue holding a sign that said “Bar!”

Since I rarely get photos of myself, this would be an opportunity to change that. Little did I know, this seemingly innocent photo op would lead to a series of hilarious mishaps.

What could possibly go wrong? You can read all about it in my blog, Trips and Falls.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Joy Juice

INGREDIENTS

Orange juice
Grenadine syrup
Blue curacao non-alcoholic
Bitters
Pineaple juice
Nutmeg,
Cinnamon powder
Lime juice
Denros

STEPS

1	See video for steps
2	Garnish as you wish

Rum Therapy

St. Lucia

Bartender: Steffi

Discovering a bar in St. Lucia called Rum Therapy: Bar and Treatment Center was a joyous revelation.

I laughed at how often I had gone through therapy but not in such a colorful oasis where I could kick back and enjoy local cocktails. The name itself, Rum Therapy, seemed to promise a cure for what ailed me. It was a reminder that life is full of new adventures and that we should always be ready to embrace them. After all, we’re toasting the end of a setback and cheering for the joy of new experiences.

And what better therapist / bartender than Stephi to help me wash away tears of the past and cheer for a better tomorrow? Stephi was not just a bartender; she was exactly the therapist I needed — a laughter therapist. Our spirited drink is appropriately called Rum Therapy and what better name for the Free-Spirited drink than Joy Juice?

View of the bar

Welcome to sunny St. Lucia

TIC TOC!

The sound of every unbearable minute working for a beast of a boss. Have you ever worked for someone who, no matter what you did, you could not get a break?

Everything was wrong. I had a boss on a ship who I’ll call Marsha. She looked like a marshmallow and was as sickly sweet on the inside. This power-hungry, narcissistic boss was unbearable. And on ships, you don’t get to go home tonight. 24/7, you’re under the watch of someone looking for any reason to lash out.

Luckily, the torture ended after two of the longest months of my life. But one thing was for sure. Buoy, oh buoy, did I need therapy.

The relief and joy I felt when I finally found a supportive environment was indescribable. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I could finally breathe again.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Rum Therapy

INGREDIENTS

1 shot Bounty lime
1 shot Bounty white
1 shot Denros
1 shot Triple sec orange bliss
Lime juice
Simple syrup
Splash of Coke

STEPS

1	Add a shot of each ingredient except lime juice
2	Then add lime juice
3	Top with a splash of Coke

Rum Therapy

St. Lucia

Bartender: Steffi

Discovering a bar in St. Lucia called Rum Therapy: Bar and Treatment Center was a joyous revelation.

View of the bar

Welcome to sunny St. Lucia

TIC TOC!

The sound of every unbearable minute working for a beast of a boss. Have you ever worked for someone who, no matter what you did, you could not get a break?

Luckily, the torture ended after two of the longest months of my life. But one thing was for sure. Buoy, oh buoy, did I need therapy.

The relief and joy I felt when I finally found a supportive environment was indescribable. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I could finally breathe again.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Cruzan Confusion

INGREDIENTS

Cruzan strawberry/mango rum
Cruzan coconut rum
Cruzaan guava rum
Cruzan blackberry rum
Cruzan cranberry rum
Grenadine
Pineapple juice
Orange juice
Cherries and lime garnish

STEPS

1	Add Cruzan rum
2	Add Grenadine and juices
3	Shake well
4	Garnish with cherries & lime

Virgin’s Haven

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

After a delightful day in St. Thomas, my girlfriend, an island resident and I were about to return to our cruise ship. We had just spent a fun-filled couple of hours after work and she decided to treat me to a visit to the Virgin’s Haven bar, located at the bustling Havensight cruise ship pier.

The bartender at Virgin’s Haven was a true character, her personality as vibrant as the labels on the local rums she used to craft her signature Cruzan Confusion cocktail. This spirited drink, a mix of five rums and juices, was aptly named. It was so potent that they didn’t even need to enforce a drink limit — who could possibly order a second after that?

One would expect the perfect “virgin” drink in the Virgin Islands and Virgin’s Haven did not disappoint. Our banana daiquiri with two cherries was a sweet, satisfying end to our time at the bar, leaving me content and ready to return to the cruise ship.

Front of the bar

WHAM!

The unexpected sound that jolted me out of bed and onto the floor of my cabin, as my cruise ship collided with an island in the Mediterranean still sends shivers down my spine.

The terror of the unexpected shipwreck (a result of some significant Cruisin’ Confusion due to the negligence of the Safety Officer on duty) added to the confusion, making our rescue later that morning even more dramatic.

Get the full story in the book,
Laughing My Baggage Off.

Spirited Recipes

Featured Recipe

Jamaican Yard Vibes

Recipe by Rick of Montego Bay

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INGREDIENTS

White, dark & coconut rum — 1 part ea
Triple Sec — 1/2 part
Peach schnapps — 1/2 part
Simple syrup — 1/2 part
Lime juice — 1/2 part
Pineapple juice — apporx 2 oz.
Grenedine — by eye
Blue Curacao syrup — by eye

STEPS

1	Add white rum, dark rum, coconut rum, Triple Sec, peach schnapps, simple syrup, lime juice and pineapple juice
2	Shake mixture with ice
3	Pour Grenadine slowly down the side to the bottom
4	Gently pour Blue Curacao on top to layer
5	Garnish as desired
	Click & Watch

Watch Rick Make
Jamaican Yard Vibes Below

Spirited Recipes Gallery

Click images for recipes and info

The Bathtub

by Martin Kovalov, Vancouver, B.C.