In Punta Cana, the drinks are as varied and vibrant as the landscape. Punta Cana in the Caribbean is idealized as the perfect place to relax on the beach while listening to the sound of the waves and enjoying a good beer or rum. When it comes to enjoying drinks, Punta Cana offers a rich and diverse Dominican beer culture, allowing visitors a chance to experience the local flavors and traditions.
Presidente Beer: The Dominicans Favorite
In the Dominican Republic, Presidente Beer, also known as “cerveza presidente,” is a well-known brand around the country. Produced by the Dominican National Brewery (Cervecería Nacional Dominicana), Presidente is a must-try! Locals love it, and I’m pretty sure you will too. This pilsner beer has 5% alcohol content and is best enjoyed ice-cold. There’s even a funny saying when the beer is so cold that ice forms a white frosting covering the whole bottle – we call it “Vestida de Novia” (dressed like a bride).
Presidente dominates the Dominican beer market, but there are some other Dominican Republic beers that are also very good. Here’s a list of Dominican beers you HAVE to try while you’re in the Dominican Republic:
- Bohemia Especial (highly recommended)
- Bohemia Light
- Quisqueya beer (highly recommended)
- Quisqueya Light
- One
- Presidente Light
- Presidente Black
Rum + Coke: Classic Drinks Punta Cana Visitors Love
This is one of the most popular drinks Punta Cana visitors order at beach bars. When the sun is setting and night is falling, I would definitely go for a rum & Coke. It’s a perfect option for a summer afternoon, lying on one of Punta Cana’s beaches, watching the sun go down, feeling the breeze, and listening to the waves. Over the years, the Brugal brand has developed various types of Dominican rum. Any of these will be a perfect match for your rum and Coke, except for the white rum, which we usually use to mix drinks. If you ever try the Brugal Siglos de Oro (Golden Centuries), I recommend drinking it on the rocks. It’s an amazing drink to share and enjoy with good company.
Another famous drink in the Dominican Republic, also made with rum, is the Santo Libre. This drink is prepared with:
- Brugal (any of your preference)
- Lime Juice
- Sprite
- Ice
Simply pour lime juice into a glass over ice cubes. Add the rum, fill with Sprite, stir, and serve. Garnish with lime and mint leaves for better flavor.
Read also: Top 10 things to do in Punta Cana
Mamajuana: The Most Famous of Drinks in Punta Cana
Is it true that the Mamajuana drink is well known as an aphrodisiac? YES, IT IS. We locals call it the Dominican viagra. This spiritual drink from my lovely Dominican Republic is made with rum, red wine, and honey, soaked in a glass bottle with tree bark and herbs. On some excursions, like Dune Buggies and Safari, you’ll have the chance to try this amazing concoction.
There are many ways to prepare Mamajuana; another popular version includes seafood, cinnamon, gin, rum, honey, a stick called Brazil, raisins, and a Carey turtle penis. This last ingredient is key and the reason why this drink became popular. The Carey member is believed to have an effect against erectile dysfunction. Don’t believe me? Believe in my ancestors, who are wiser than me.
The Mamajuana was originally prepared by the native Taino Indians as an herbal tea. After Columbus, they started to add alcohol as a way to extract the herbs’ curative properties. Besides being an aphrodisiac, Mamajuana is also consumed for its medicinal value, such as flu remedies, digestion and circulation aid, blood cleanser, and kidney and liver tonic. Interesting, huh? Let’s go have a shot now!
Piña Colada + Vitamin (Rum): A Tropical Start to Your Day
Don’t think I’m an alcoholic, but this is the perfect drink to start your day in Punta Cana. Believe me when I say here in the Dominican Republic, summer never ends. It’s such a refreshing drink made of natural pineapple juice, coconut milk, and ice. Put all the ingredients in a blender, add lots of ice cubes to make it frozen style, blend for a while, and serve. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a cherry on top if you want to.
Coco Loco: One of the Iconic Drinks in Punta Cana
Coco Loco is among the signature drinks Punta Cana resorts serve to visitors seeking a true Caribbean taste. You can find the Coco Loco in every Caribbean country, and each one has a different way to prepare it. Here in Punta Cana, it’s a classic! This is our alcoholic Dominican recipe, which I’m sure you’ll love and will be the first thing you ask for at your hotel bar when you come to Punta Cana.
Ingredients:
- Vodka
- Tequila
- Lime Juice
- Coconut Milk
- White Brugal (white rum)
- Ice
Some people add coconut pulp too, but that’s up to you. Put all the ingredients in a highball glass over ice cubes, stir, serve, and enjoy!
The Caribbean, especially the Dominican Republic, is known for its endless tropical summer. This is why we’re always developing new, refreshing drinks to make our sunny afternoons at the beach more pleasant. I hope you enjoy this post and try all these drinks whenever you come to visit Punta Cana. They’re a delicious way to experience Dominican beer culture and the vibrant Dominican brewing scene.
Looking for excursions in Punta Cana? Check out all of our excursions and immerse yourself in the local culture, including the opportunity to taste some of these amazing drinks and perhaps even try some Dominican street food along the way!
