Guavaberry, Seafood, and Croissants on St. Martin

St. Martin is the smallest island in the world divided between two countries, France (roughly 60%) and the Netherlands (roughly 40%). The French call it Saint-Martin and the Dutch say Sint Marteen. Either way, the island is a culinary leader in the Caribbean. With so many different cultural influences—you can find food with European, North American, Latin, and even African influences alongside typical local cuisine—it’s little wonder that Sint Maarten/St. Martin is one of the best dining islands in the Caribbean. According to Caribbean Journal’s list of 2021’s 50 best restaurants of the Caribbean, 20% are found on St. Martin. 

Let’s Eat…in! 

Popular on St. Martin is the guavaberry, traditionally used to make jams and drinks. Guavaberry liqueur, which is made from rum, is a common Christmas drink on many of the islands. According to their website, guavaberry is the legendary folk liqueur of Sint Maarten, first made there centuries ago in private homes. It became an integral part of local culture and tradition, and now guavaberry is their national liqueur. This explains why it’s found everywhere on the Island. However, the use is not saved for the holidays alone. This recipe is a delicious way to cool off while enjoying your girlfriendship® conversations. Make it yourself in your vacation home or have your favorite bartender make it for you.

The Famous Sint Maarten Guavaberry Colada

Ingredients for 4 | Multiply by degree of thirst, divide by number of girlfriends!

Ingredients

•     9 ounces fresh pineapple juice (not from concentrate)

•     3 ounces cream of coconut (not coconut milk or coconut cream)

•     6 ounces (3/4 cup) guavaberry liqueur

•     Lots of ice

•     Freshly-grated nutmeg and maraschino cherries, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Combine the pineapple juice, cream of coconut, guavaberry liqueur, and a few large handfuls of ice in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Step 2

Pour into glasses and top with freshly-grated nutmeg. Top with a cherry, if desired!

Let’s Eat…out! 

Looking for a place to gather with girlfriends for lunch or dinner? Here are a couple of great options if you’re girls-weekending in Philipsburg or Marigot. 

• Chesterfields |  Chesterfields is an oceanfront restaurant and bar located in Philipsburg, and overlooks the majestic Great Bay Beach and the marina. It’s a cozy, friendly, and breezy nautical-themed restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chesterfields became famous for its large variety of top quality seafood on the menu. They take full advantage of the ocean’s treasure by serving lobster, shrimp, scallops, and fresh fish including grouper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and conch fritters. For those who prefer meat, there’s prime cut steak, chicken sandwiches, burgers, and roast duck on the menu. The portions are generous and moderately priced for all meals. 

A delicious appetizer is the hurricane shrimp—tender shrimp simmered in a spicy cream tomato sauce with hot local peppers. (Heat warning!) For dinner, our choice was their very popular seafood sampler which is an assortment of shrimp, scallops, calamari, and fresh mahi-mahi seasoned and grilled with garlic butter. 

We’re drooling at the memory of this dish.

• The Croissant Royale | Here's their Instagram ) On Marigot, is The Croissant Royale owned by Eva. So, after shopping or jet skiing around the island, our girlfriendships crew is going to enjoy what that girlfriend has on her menu!  

Croissant Royal is a great place to have breakfast or lunch. Don't be misled by the name, this is not a luxurious or fancy kind of place. It's warm, friendly, clean, and reasonably priced with a quick turn around, high quality food, and a great view of the marina. 

Their croissants and bread are out of this world (word is they serve the best french toast on the Island. Read their reviews here). When we were there, everything looked delicious, but we settled on the crabmeat salad with grilled shrimp and a lemonade. Here’s a fun fact. In French, the lime is called citron vert. So, even though the menu lists it as lemonade, it is really a refreshing, delicious limeade.

Did we hear someone say, “let’s go and let’s eat”?

Recipe source:

http://www.spachethespatula.com/the-famous-sint-maarten-guavaberry-colada/