9 April 2022

“They call me Jello-Man”

While sitting by the Lazy Lizard in the Split and enjoying a cocktail, we were approached by a gentleman who was selling jello shots. He had two flavors and they were made in an orange peel. “You can throw away the peel in the water – the fish love it. My jello shots are bio-sustainable!”. His accent was very different. I could clearly understand what he was saying. None of the local dialect.

We bought two of the shots. But when he came back for the money, we got him to sit down and talk to us. He is from St. Louis (which explains the lack of dialect) and has moved to the island because he loves the life here. His two sons also have moved with him. They (the sons) work in some local stuff. And to pass his time, he himself makes jello shots and sells on the beach!

“What is your name?”
“They call me Jello-Man!”

Jello Man, it was!!

9 April 2022

Gotta love the simplicity of island life

Noticed the man come biking to the shore of the island on the other side of The Split. He then took a ride in a canoe with his bike. Upon reaching this side, he put his bike on his shoulder and climbed up the step. Then he simply biked away. He had a small purse in his right hand.

All the time he was carrying a beer bottle in his left hand and drinking from it though!!

8 April 2022

The most exquisitely made Old Fashioned I have ever had

The previous night I had met Johan at the pool bar and we got talking about Old Fashioned. He invited me to join at the Piano Bar the next day. I was promised that I will never forget the Old Fashioned from there.

So, I showed up the next evening. Met Subhash who is a molecular mixologist. He has been tending bars at various Marriott locations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Belize etc. Looks like we missed each other at the Kempinski in Muscat by a few months. Also, we found an intersection point with another bartender – Varghese – who I had first met in the JW in Juhu Beach, Mumbai!

The process to make the Old Fashioned was very elaborate, to say the least.

First, the bitters are a mix of a couple of bitters they make in the bar. The bourbon is a mix of bourbon infused with orange peels (for thirty days) and some caramelized bourbon. The infused bourbon loses its ABV to 35% and the caramelized bourbon restores it to around 40%.

There is the smoking of course and the round ice!!

It was a total spectacle!

The Old Fashioned tasted great! Nothing like I have ever had anywhere before. The length was unusually long!

Loved it. If any of you ever come to Alaia Belize, make sure you visit the Piano Bar and have Johan or Subhash make you their special Old Fashioned!!