I’m pretty sure that there are very few Jamaicans, at home or in the wider diaspora, still unaware of the amazing Newton Marshall’s running of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Newton and his team have been slogging on with (I’m going to say it) dogged determination and have now passed the half-way point of “The Last Great Race.”

Last October, when the Jamaica Dogsled Team was doing some serious fundraisers, I developed a few special cocktails and sent them on to the Team. I understand they were served at at least one function. I started with the idea that the drink should mix Jamaican and Canadian liquors and went from there. I tried different variations to find the best mixture but husband and friends pronounced them all good.

With Newton on the home stretch I think the time is right for us all to mix a drink and cheer him on. So here they are, mix your favourite and have a sip while you’re “Rootin’ for Newton!”

Mush Mon

1 oz Canadian Vodka
1 oz Appleton White Rum
½ oz Coconut Rum
1 Tbsp Sugar Syrup
2 oz Coconut Cream
Blend with crushed ice and serve in a Margarita glass garnished with coconut flakes.

Yellow Snow

1 oz Canadian Vodka
1 oz Appleton Gold
1 oz Crushed Pineapple
2 oz Coconut Rum Cream
Blend with crushed ice and serve in a Margarita glass garnished with pineapple wedges.

Danny’s Dream

1 oz Vodka
1 oz Appleton Gold
4 oz Coconut Cream
Mix together and serve over ice.

While you’re sipping read about how the team got started and bookmark the webcam at the finish line.

Follow the Jamaica Dogsled Team on Facebook

For daily updates visit: Jamaica-Allspice.com

No self respecting Jamaican blogger would start with anything but Planter’s Punch. The traditional formula goes like this:
“One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong and four of weak.” One part lime juice, two parts sugar syrup or strawberry syrup, three parts rum (dark, white overproof or a mixture of both) and four parts water.

The eastern Caribbean offer a delicious drink called Cream Punch, the formula varies from Island to Island:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup whipping cream or evaporated milk
1 cup dark rum or overproof rum
½ cup brandy or Tia Maria or ½ Angostura Bitters
Shake vigorously and serve over ice. Makes about a litre.

Who’s afraid of the notorious Devon Duppy?
1 oz gin
1 oz overproof rum
1 oz grapefruit juice
Dash of Angostura Bitters and hold on tight!

Hummingbird
1 oz vodka
1 oz Tia Maria
1 oz rum cream
1 medium banana
1 oz strawberry syrup
1 oz cream
add ice and blend

Yellow Bird
1 oz dark rum
½ oz Crème de Banane
½ oz lime juice
½ oz sugar syrup
Pour over crushed ice in 12oz glass, fill glass with orange juice

Sea Breeze
1½ oz vodka
2 oz grapefruit juice
2 oz cranberry juice
Serve over cracked ice with a wedge of lime

Sunset
1 oz wild orange liqueur
1 oz coconut rum
½ oz strawberry syrup
splash of lime juice
Pour over crushed ice and fill the glass with orange juice

Big Bamboo
1 oz. overproof rum
1oz dark rum
½ oz wild orange liqueur
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz orange juice
1 oz lime juice
1 oz sugar syrup
Serve over crushed ice

Why not end the evening with Sex on the Beach?
1 oz vodka
1 oz peach schnapps
2 oz orange juice
2 oz cranberry juice
Serve over crushed ice

Enjoy your sampling of Jamaican drinks and remember to drink responsibly!