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Drinks

Haitian Crémas (Kremas or Cremasse) A Christmas Favorite.

5 Comments on Haitian Crémas (Kremas or Cremasse) A Christmas Favorite.

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You’ll find a version of this creamy drink throughout the islands but with subtle differences, as you move your way across the Caribbean (and Central America). Rich in milk, a layer of sweetness, some spice and how could one not include rum. Crémas (Kremas or Cremasse) is one of those drinks every Haitian (grown) expects to be served during the holiday season. And while you’ll find subtle differences in everyone’s recipe, this one is as simple to prepare while maintaining the taste and flavors of the traditional version.

You’ll Need…

3 cups coconut milk
1 cup milk (optional)
1-2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1 lemon or lime (zest + juice)
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch salt
1-2 cups rum (dark preferably)
2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond extract

Basically all you have to do is place all the ingredients into a blender and blend until fully incorporated. Or into a large bowl and whisk until combined.

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Traditionally a dark (strong) rum is used, like Rhum Barbancourt… but I opted for a white rum which I had on hand. I also used the zest of a lemon (and juice of 1/2 of it), but as mentioned in the demo video, I would much prefer to use a lime.

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After it’s all combined in the blender, you can serve the  Crémas on ice or keep it in a sealed bottle in your fridge for at least a month. Be sure to give it a good shake before serving again.

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Do keep in mind that you can control how much rum is used and be mindful of that so you don’t serve it to the little ones. I used 1 tin of the sweetened condensed milk in my version, but  that’s only because I’m trying to cut back on the amount of sugar I consume. I’d recommend between 1 1/2 and 2 cans. I do hope you give this awesome drink a try during the holiday season and bring part of Haiti into your home.

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Drinks

Big People Lemonade?

4 Comments on Big People Lemonade?

Give the kids some chocolate milk and let’s proceed to make a drink for the grown! Our family home like so many in the Caribbean was surrounded by citrus trees… oranges, grapefruit, shaddock, limes and lemons. Basically we were never out of freshly made juice with our meals and on those scorching Caribbean days when an ice-cold glass of juice would hit the spot. Though I don’t have access to the variety of citrus fruits these days, here’s a concoction I made up in true island style.

Granted as a young fella there wouldn’t be any rum in our ‘lemonade’, but with the holidays quickly approaching I thought I’d add some to get us in the festive mood.

 

You’ll Need…

3 lemons
3 limes
4 juice oranges *
5 cups water
3 drops Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon mixed  essence
1 cup sugar (adjust accordingly)
3/4 cup white rum

* 3 lemon and 3 orange slices for adding some brightness to the jug.

Note: Juice oranges are a bit smaller than the everyday oranges, have seeds and it’s juice is well balanced between sweet and tart. Mixed essence can be found at most Caribbean specialty grocery stores. BTW if you want to make this like the spike drinks you get at the liquor stores, you can replace the rum with vodka.

Juice all the citrus fruits mentioned above, and strain into a big bowl so you can prevent seeds from getting in. Then it’s just a matter of adding all the other ingredients and giving it a good whisk.

Tip: Dissolve the sugar in 2 cups (off the 5 mentioned in the ingredients list)  of warm water, so it dissolves faster. After you’ve mixed everything together you can pour it into your serving jug, add some ice (or chill in the fridge) and top with some slices of fruit to give the jug a punch of color and to make people really thirsty when the  see it. If rum is not your thing you can leave it out and have a virgin drink the entire family can enjoy. If rum IS your thing.. you can certainly go a bit heavier.

* do not add ice if you plan on serving later, it will only water-down the drink.

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