Happy Hour

Gem here. According to Jimmy Buffett whose empire has a massive presence in this part of the world..."It's 5'Oclock somewhere"! Who needs an excuse to hit happy hour? Very few in Cayman that's for sure and particularly on a Friday. And what better way to let the woes of the working week slip slide away by watching the golden sun dip over the Caribbean Sea while sipping on a quenching beverage.
Since we have lived here, we have been introduced to the delicacy of fresh coconut water. Legend has it coconut water is so full of electrolytes and nutrients (and is generally sterile when retrieved from the coconut) that in years gone by if the intravenous fluid ran out at the local hospital, patients were given coconut water in their intravenous drips for hydration, babies have been refreshed on a warm day with coconut water in their bottles and generally it is the Caribbean 'go to' when one is sporting a hangover. Who knows but it was certainly made to be drunk with rum!
There is never a shortage of coconut palm's bulging with the glorious green fruits but getting them down is another story. Not many of my friends are willing to scale the tall skinny trees and many a local have refused to make the climb due to the fact iguanas hang out amongst the branches and so we have had to get creative. Our friend M often leads the charge with yet another makeshift item this time made out of a pool vacuum handle and taping a small saw to the end. It works! However this morning I was blessed with raining coconuts as I walked out our front door to find the gardener precariously balanced up a long ladder cutting down the fruit with a giant machete- Xmas!
Traditionally there is a knack to hacking at the coconut with a machete without severing fingers, creating a hole at the top and accessing the coconut water without spilling a drop, add your straw and there you have it. None of we expats really like the idea of a massive machete lying around in our utility cupboards so yet again we have found a way to yield the goods. For a while there the boys delighted in taking to the coconuts with an electric drill and draining the water. It works but is very messy so after another trip to the hardware store (boys will be boys), the latest method is extremely effective and oh so technical- hammer a peg into the coconut, drain water into jug while creating air vent with screwdriver, strain and put on ice.





Add your rum of choice (we prefer white rum with the delicate taste of the fresh coconut water), add a sprinkle of sugar and or/a dash of bitters (or neither) depending on the flavour/ripeness of the coconut water and there you have it. Grab your fishing rod, watch the sunset with friends and relish in Caribbean living 'mon'

SUNSHINE!