Beverages

Trinidad claims many national drinks, the most famous of which are rums and Carib and Stag, the locally made beers. The rum shop, an old-style bar similar to a social club, was once the preferred venue for drinking and men could be found at any hour of the day sipping rum and chasing it with Carib, talking and joking loudly or playing All Fours, a game similar to bridge on which big money bets were often made.

Because of Trinidad’s wealth of local ingredients, there are many other nationally notable drinks. There is Mauby, a tree-bark brew reminiscent of root beer; and Sorrel, a steeped, sweetened drink made from a type of hibiscus. Any number of teas and tisanes brewed from local flowers, herbs, and fruits also exist and are collectively called “bush tea.” They are usually credited with medicinal properties as well.