Authentic Island Tastes by Susan Campbell There’s such an eclectic choice of fine dining emporiums on Aruba, you can take your taste buds around the world without ever visiting the same country twice! But this island also has its own unique flavors you should seek out for truly genuine taste experiences. Here are a few… Suds, spirits, and shakes
First up, a must-sip is this island’s famous Balashi beer – the only suds on the planet made from desalinated seawater! It’s crisp and clear and a perfect foil for a hot, tropical day. Visit their factory for a tour to see how it’s made or just grab a cold one from the beach bars or supermarkets. The snack spot and beach bar shakes are also a must-try thirst quencher. They are made from fresh fruit and resemble the Latin American batidos; try exotic flavors like mango, papaya, watermelon, soursop, tamarind, and mispel (tastes like applesauce!) Locally made spirits are also worth sampling. The rich, liquor-laden eggnog called Ponche Crema is especially popular at Christmas time, and every Aruban family has their own timehonored recipe. Ask your bartender for a taste
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as a sipping drink; it’s also excellent in coffee or over ice cream. Coecoei is another favorite local liqueur – it’s bright red with a syrupy grenadinelike consistency and tastes like licorice or anisette. Made from rum, cane sugar, and the sap of the agave plant, it plays a prominent role in famous signature cocktails like the Aruba Ariba and the Aruban Sunset. Palmera rum is another locally made spirit; in fact the Palmera company bottles most of Aruba’s unique liquors as take-home keepsakes, and they’re available in most grocery stores and souvenir shops.
Fish and seafood soup served with fried plantain and an ice cold Balashi beer
Aruba’s famous aloe is also a prime ingredient in a special cocktail made at the Aruba Marriott Resort; they use its juice to create a unique twist in a classic rum punch. And The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, incorporates the island’s abundant cadushi cactus as an infusion into one of its signature drinks. But if you’re searching for something seriously different, head out to the markets and craft fairs, and you might happen upon some very cool libations like homemade cashew liqueur, sea grape wines, and cordials made in small batches. If you’re looking for a caffeine kick, the island has its own coffee brewing company in downtown Oranjestad. Look for the Coffee Break (on the last trolley stop) to try a cup from the Aruba Coffee Roasting Company. It’s also available to take home.
And of course, coconut water straight from the nut is also something excellent to sip, but don’t forget the island’s own H2O made from desalinated seawater! It’s purified at the Balashi plant and always delicious and completely safe to drink from any tap. A common local expression if you want a glass of water is to simply ask for a “Balashi cocktail”! Savory flavors
Traditional Aruban cooking focuses around fresh fish and seafood prepared with a rich red creole sauce and lots of soups (sopas) and stews (stobas). Goat, beef, or chicken is the typical meat used in the stews, and sometimes seafood, but iguanas no longer make it into the pot, as it’s been illegal to hunt them for decades! Soups lean towards seafood – conch (calcos) or fish chowder – but the velvety rich pumpkin soup is also a superb island specialty. !
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