If there’s one drink you’ve got to try when you’re in The Bahamas, it’s Sky Juice. Persons are at all times talking about this creamy cocktail, so we get numerous questions on our Bites of Nassau Food Tour about Sky Juice: what it’s, what’s in it, the way it got it’s name, and the list goes on and on. We’re at all times glad to make clear, though, because this drink is amazing and even a degree of national pride! And besides, who wouldn’t be interested by a concoction with the promise of a heavenly escape? Before you exit in search of a taste on-island or recipe for recreating at home, here’s a number of facts about Bahamian Sky Juice to enhance your foodie IQ- every good bartender has an important story!
Origins Of Sky Juice
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Sky Juice, also often called Gully Wash amongst locals of the Bahamian Out Islands, dating back to the early twentieth century, when low cost rum was flowing through the country throughout the American Prohibition Era. While locals had a taste for specialty cocktails, many did hardly have access to canned juices or sodas to chase their liquor, so indigenous tropical fruit juices like that from coconuts became very talked-about additives to mixed drinks. Though a Tru Bahamian Sky Juice recipe calls for gin, which was low cost to purchase for the poorer island folk during that period. The cocktail became a staple a part of the Bahamian bar scene as a consequence of the accessibility of the ingredients and the cool, refreshing taste, making it the one in every of the favored local drinks amongst natives and visitors alike!
What’s In Sky Juice?
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Sky Juice is a quite simple, yet striking drink, by some means packing an enormous punch with only three ingredients. Okay, we admit, gin, the key rum ingredient, is powerful, but the sleek, silky flavor of fresh coconut water mellows the alcohol substantially. Fresh, young green coconuts are best, but you may at all times use canned coconut water, or local bottled coconut water like Coco Splash. Sometimes, your mixologist will cap your Sky Juice off at those two ingredients, gin and coconut water, but as a rule, an ample serving of sweetened condensed milk can be added to melt the bite of the gin. The milk adds a sweetness that balances the liquor and emphasizes the coconut’s natural flavor, providing you with a very heavenly drink that lives as much as name.
How Sky Juice Got Its Name
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Speaking of living as much as it’s name, there are two prevailing assumptions as to how the name Sky Juice got here to be. Some locals will let you know it’s due to the coconuts: the story goes that coconuts grow up high in tall palm trees, so that you’re essentially drinking the sky’s fruit juices. Others will let you know that it’s due to the color of the assembled drink, for Sky Juice has a milky, cloudy color as a consequence of the mixture of condensed cream and gin. The reality is, nevertheless, that Sky Juice was a reputation concocted by the famous bartenders at Goldie’s Conch House, who leave the interpretations open ended. So, regardless of which origin story you subscribe to, the drink remains to be guaranteed to be absolutely delicious.
Variations Of The Recipe
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There aren’t many variations to Sky Juice, most bartenders and mixologists agreeing that the three staple ingredients of gin, coconut water, and condensed milk suffice, but there are a number of additions that may take the drink up a number of notches on the Richter Scale. Adding a splash of cinnamon and nutmeg highlights the coconut flavor, and adding one other teaspoon or two of sugar gives the drink an additional boost of sweetness if the gin remains to be pushing for centerstage. Some bartenders here in Nassau will dab a little bit of coconut rum or John Watling’s Pale Rum in your Sky Juice so as to add one other level of flavor. We advise adding some fresh coconut chunks for garnish, or perhaps a fresh pineapple wedge.
At most establishments, the drink can also be available in non-alcoholic (or “unleaded” as we are saying within the islands) variations, affording individuals all of the delightful tastes of heaven without the hellish hangover!
What We Eat With It
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Sky Juice is certainly a drink you desire to enjoy around a hearty meal, having a solid Bahamian plate complete with Peas N’ Rice, Macaroni & Cheese, and Cracked Conch, or other fried fish and meats is recommended- it’s amazing how well-hidden that gin might be! Most locals reserve Sky Juice for an after-supper cocktail, because it’s very filling by itself and is usually a sweet substitution for traditional dessert. Though we are saying, the very best option to enjoy Sky Juice is over ice, slurped through a straw, and served out of a Styrofoam cup on the beach with a sinfully good snack reminiscent of Bahamian Conch Fritters.
Where To Find Sky Juice In Nassau
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If you happen to’re planning to be in Nassau within the near future, you’re in for a treat! Sky Juice is amazingly popular amongst locals and visitors alike, so many bartenders in Nassau have mastered the art of Gully Wash. Hands-down though, the very best places to get Bahamian Sky Juice downtown are:
Bahamian Cookin’
Location: Trinity Place
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am – 4:00pm
More Info: Facebook, Instagram, Website
Sky Juice King
Location: Arawak Cay
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10:00am – 6:00pm
Goldie’s Conch House
Location: Arawak Cay / Potter’s Cay Dock
Hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00am – 12:00am
More Info: Facebook
Athena Cafe
Location: Bay & Charlotte Streets
Hours: Mon-Sun, 11:00am – 10:30pm
More Info: Facebook
Lukka Kairi
Location: Woodes Rodgers Walk
Hours: Mon-Sun, 11:00am – 10:30pm
More Info: Facebook, Instagram, Website
How To Make Bahamian Sky Juice
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Sky Juice may be very easy to make because its list of ingredients is so short. Here in The Bahamas, we’re known for the 80/20 rule, 80% of your drink being alcohol with the remaining 20% being chaser, but we’ll keep things moderate here and leave the proportion of liquor per serving in your hands!
Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water (4 green coconuts or 16oz canned/bottled juice)
1 cup gin (or white rum, if preferred)
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cinnamon
Directions:
If using fresh coconuts, fastidiously poke a big hole in each shell with a hammer and screwdriver to retrieve water. Drain the water through a sieve to eliminate broken shell residue and pulp. Add the coconut water to a 1-2 liter pitcher together with gin and condensed milk. It’s possible you’ll add more of gin and/or condensed milk to suit your preference. Add nutmeg and cinnamon, then mix well. Set pitcher within the refrigerator to relax for 1-2 hours. Serve over ice.
Serving Suggestions:
- For a tropical presentation, keep the coconut shell to pour the Sky Juice into before serving!
- Garnish your cocktail with a wedge of fresh pineapple or other fruits for a sweet treat.
