The Panty Rippa may as well be the national cocktail of Belize.  They’re served everywhere and in mass quantity.  Tourists like them, locals like them, they’re inexpensive and taste great.  We like them because the local coconut rum is among the best on the market, the pineapple juice is fresh and everyone should have an easy-to-make tropical cocktail in their drink making bag of tricks.  Give it a try.  Cheers!

Panty Rippa

Fill a collins glass half way with ice

Add 2-3 oz. of coconut rum (we’re using Kaknat, but pretty much anything will do the trick)

Top off with fresh pineapple juice

Swirl glass to mix ingredients

Garnish with lime wedge

Crank up the tunes and enjoy!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEN. LEMIEUX AMENDMENT IGNORES ALL FEDERAL PRECEDENT,
WOULD DESTROY ECONOMY OF U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

LeMieux Proposal Transfers U.S. Virgin Islands’ Revenue
to Puerto Rico Government

Statement from John P. deJongh, Jr., Governor, United States Virgin Islands

Senator LeMieux of Florida today ignored almost 100 years of federal precedent and clear Congressional intent by filing an amendment that drastically alters the rum excise tax cover-over program. His amendment would severely harm the economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands and overtly favors Puerto Rico.

Senator LeMieux’s amendment looks like it was developed alongside Puerto Rican lobbyists. The proposed amendment takes excise tax revenue paid by U.S. Virgin Islands rum makers on rum produced in the U.S. Virgin Islands and directly transfers it to Puerto Rico’s government coffers. Puerto Rico would end up with billions of dollars generated by rum production in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

As we search for solutions to the economic downturn, America needs smart, thoughtful leadership – not desperate attempts to pander to powerful special interests. Senator LeMieux is directly attacking his fellow Americans in the U.S. Virgin Islands by doing Puerto Rico’s bidding.

We are strengthening the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy and stabilizing our government’s finances. The rum cover-over is a long-standing and successful economic development program that has provided benefits to the U.S. territories.

Furthermore, the rum cover-over program is of great economic and financial importance to the U.S. Virgin Islands. For the first time, we are making full use of these tools given to us, and we have done so without hurting any other location. I cannot understand why Puerto Rico and certain other interests are determined to hold back and undermine the economic interests and future of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Senator LeMieux’s plan could cause us to default on hundreds of millions of dollars in bonds, which would stop progress on infrastructure projects and environmental improvements, and would force the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands to the brink of receivership.

By promoting this amendment, Puerto Rico has not only given up any pretense of negotiating their concerns with the U.S. Virgin Islands as we  have been asked to do by Congressional leaders, but Puerto Rico now also seems willing to walk away from the long history of friendship and collaboration which has linked America’s two Caribbean possessions.

Palapa patrons

The legendary Palapa Bar has been in operation for years and is a popular drinking and socializing spot for locals and tourists alike. Perched at the end of a wooden boat dock and elevated about 15 feet off the water, it is one of the coolest little watering holes around.  Like most beach bars here, The Palapa is uncomplicated and laid back.  A large thatch roof covers a U-shaped bar with about 20 bar stools.  Every inch of the place has been tagged with the names of tourists who have passed by for a drink.  A team of friendly bartenders happily mix up stiff rum drinks and pour cold beers.  A cool breeze continuously blows off the water and the Margaritaville Serius Radio station fills the air with good tunes.  Sunburned tourists engage in “where are you from” conversation, people point and cheer as a dolphin swims by, more rum is consumed and suddenly all is right in the world.

Friendly faces

The drink of choice here is usually beer – Belikin Regular, Stout and Lighthouse are on offer as well as Guiness.  Rum also flows at a rapid clip, especially during happy hour when Rum & Cokes are 2-for-1.  On a recent visit our crew was astonished that four rum & Cokes cost a mere $10bz.  That $5us if your counting…..best deal on the whole damn island.

So, Rum Connection Friends, whether it’s interesting people, great views or super cocktails you seek, get on down to The Palapa Bar.  It’s all waiting for you there.  Cheers!

To get there, head north from San Pedro Town by boat, bike, golf cart or foot for about a mile.  You can’t miss it.

RC crew was there

www.palapabarandgrill.com