Forty residents attended a workshop on October 7th dedicated to the craft of making guavaberry liqueur, the Virgin Islands' signature festive beverage.
Janice Nibbs Blyden, who has spent five decades perfecting the drink, facilitated the session. Blyden is a retired Deputy Chief Librarian and author who has published two children's books and a mini recipe guide focused on the traditional Virgin Islands preparation method.
During the workshop, attendees learned the drink's history, observed a demonstration of syrup preparation, and had the chance to produce their own guavaberry rum blend to take with them.
The Department of Culture organised the event as part of its broader initiative to document and preserve island heritage. Anne Lennard, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, noted that public enthusiasm for the series has been strong. She explained that while Virgin Islanders regard guavaberry liqueur as their own, the drink is also produced in St. Maarten and the Dominican Republic, with guavaberry trees growing in Cuba and elsewhere. The liqueur appears on tables during the Christmas season and holds deep cultural significance for the islands.
"This liqueur is an important part of BVI culture and through this workshop we are doing our part to help preserve it," Lennard said.
The Jennie Wheatley Virgin Islands Studies Institute at the HLSCC supported the event. The Department of Culture continues to offer workshops on cultural subjects and can be reached at 284-468-4374 or 284-468-4408 for details on future programmes.
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