There’s nothing better than rum punch on the beach.

As a by-product of the sugar making process, for rum production in Puerto Rico became a major industry in the 16^th century. Sugar cane juice (guarapo) is extracted and boiled at a high temperature. The process yields a syrup called molasses, which when mixed with water and is fermented, produces the distilled spirit rum.  This is just a taste of Puerto Rican  rum history and here are two places you can visit to learn more.

Don Q Rum & the Serralles Castle in Ponce

A Taste of Puerto Rican Rum History

A refreshing mojito is my favorite rum drink.

If you’re interested in the history of rum production in Puerto Rico, the Serralles Castle museum in Ponce is an interesting place to start.  This elaborate summer home of the family of Juan Serralles, the founder of the Serralles Rum Distillery, is the producer of the very popular Don Q Rum which is known for its distinctive flavor.   Build in the 1930’s, the mansion sits high on a hill with stunning views of Ponce and the Caribbean Ocean from its elaborate gardens and terraces.  Tours are offered of the mansion, which contain many of the family’s antiques, and includes information about the history of sugar cane production and rum distillation.   You unfortunately do not get any rum samples to taste here, this is strictly Puerto Rican rum history.   The rum is produced at the Serralles distillery in town, but they do not give tours.

You can purchase a ticket to just visit the castle or you can buy a combination ticket which will also include the Cruceta del Bigia and the Japanese Gardens which are across the street.  The Cruceta del Vigía or the Watchman’s Cross is a 100-foot-tall cross used by early Spanish settlers in the 1800s as a look-out for invaders and pirates.  This ten-story vertical tower with a horizontal sky bridge provides amazing views of the city of Ponce and the Caribbean Sea.  A Japanese garden was built on the grounds near the cross with the purpose of encouraging spiritual peace and harmony by the means of nature and Zen music. The garden features small lakes, rivers, bonsais, and bridges.

Hours for the Castle: Thursday through Sunday 9:30-5:50. Admission can include the museum only, the museum and gardens, or the museum, gardens, and crucifix.
Address: #17 Sector El Vigia, Pso De La Cruceta, Ponce
Phone: 787.259.1774
Web: Museo Castillo Serrallés or castilloserralles.org

The Bacardi Factory in San Juan

At the Bacardi factory you will learn how to make delicious rum drinks.

The Bacardi Visitors tour in San Juan is a popular tourist destination devoted to the history of Bacardi Rum.  The company actually began in Cuba and moved over to Puerto Rico in 1936 before Fidel Castro took power. The Bacardi brand’s fermentation process gives Bacardi rum its clear color and distinctive taste.

There are three tours:

• $15 History Tour Includes: Learning about the past, present, and future of the Bacardi brand and how it evolved from being a small rum manufacturer in Santiago de Cuba to becoming one of the largest rum producers today.  This informative tour takes you through the history of sugar production and rum making and includes a movie about the Bacardi family and their rum production business. You receive: A commemorative Bacardi cup, a Bacardi special “welcome” cocktail for adults, and refreshments for children.
• $45 Rum Tasting Tour includes: All of the above and PLUS guests will learn how to prepare a cocktail and learn about the attributes of the finest rums within the Bacardi portfolio. A  Distillery Tour and access to the Cathedral of Rum with an assigned Brand Specialist is also included .You receive all of the above, plus an  Honorary Certificate of Completion.
• $45 Mixology Tour Includes: All of the above PLUS a class on how to prepare three legendary cocktails: Cuba Libre, Mojito and Daiquiri.

Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 4:30pm
Sunday from 10:00am to 4:30pm

Address: Carretera 165, Catano, 00949, Puerto Rico

Phone: +1 787-788-8400

Website: casabacardi.org

Ron del Barrilito Rum

Ron Barrilito rum is a local favorite.

I would be remiss if I didn’t write about Ron del Barrilito, Puerto Rico’s oldest rum brand, and one highly esteemed, it is often called a “cult rum”.  Lauded for its deep, almost whiskey-like complexity, the two-star rum rests for three years, and the three-star is a blend of six- to ten-year-aged rums. Barrilito only exports to Spain and a few states.

As the story goes, in 1871, Pedro Fernández took over the property where his father was running a sugarcane plantation.  He had been producing small amounts of rum for guests. Fernández developed the secret rum formula, aged in Spanish sherry barrels that his family still uses today, and produced a smooth and mellow rum.   The small family run factory in Bayamon is not seeking endless growth. They only want to make excellent rum.

It’s 5:00!

Time for a Pina Colada.

It’s 5:00 somewhere, so it’s time for a taste of Puerto Rican rum history. Cuba Libre, Mojito, Pina Colada, and coconut rum are some of my favorite rum drinks. Which one should I have today?  Which one is your favorite? The history of rum and its long-standing relationship with Puerto Rico must be tasted to truly understand The culture.

Read more here:

3 Places to Visit for Coffee Production in Puerto Rico

5 Things to do in Puerto Rico

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Hacienda La Esperanza

In the town of Manati, Puerto Rico, I was fortunate to be able to take a tour of the restored structures of one of the most important sugar plantations of the 19th century, Hacienda La Esperanza. The legacy of this hacienda owes its homage to both the lives of the 170 slaves who worked the land, as well as to a new invention of that time, the steam mill. We’ll explore Puerto Rican history at this sugar plantation.

The rich soils of Hacienda La Esperanza were perfect for sugar cane production and in 1830 Fernando Fernández, a Spanish officer, was able to grow a profitable business due to the demand for sugar by the United States.  Slaves at that time, unfortunately filled the need for this labor-intensive industry, which is why there is the bitter taste of history at this sugar plantation.

Puerto Rican History at a Sugar Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

The hacienda sits on the estate of the plantation.

Fernando’s eldest son inherited the estate, and in 1861 installed a West Point Foundry Steam engine.  This highly efficient new machine increased sugar production and he was able to expand to 2,000 acres of planted sugar cane.  This also increased his need for additional slave labor.

The Bitterness at a Sugar Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

A mundillo is on display which lists the complaints of the slaves.

At the hacienda, complaints from the slaves are poignantly preserved and encased in a large glass case.  The grievances are crafted on what’s called a Mundillo, which is handmade bobbin lace.  The lace is created using wooden bobbins about the diameter of a pencil.  The bobbin is wound with thread, twisted, and crossed to form a design. Depending on the pattern, as few as two dozen or as many as several hundred bobbins may be used. The pattern formed the words of the complaints.

The grievances were about the horrible treatment, the abuse, and the lack of any possible help from authorities. It is very moving to see something so beautifully and intricately woven and at the same time read the vile, heartbreaking and painstaking abuses endured by the slaves.

Impressive Collection of Machetes at

Hacienda La Esperanza

The collection of machetes is an unusual in interesting display.

There is also an impressive collection of machetes on display.  The machetes used by the slaves were shorter and blunt, making it useless as a weapon, an extremely poor tool and since sugarcane needs to be cut low to the ground, the short blade required the slaves to bend over all day resulting in life-long pain and disfigurement for many.

Steam & Progression at the Plantation

Hacienda La Esperanza

The steam engine at work is a fascinating piece of engineering.

In what are the remains of the sugar mill building is the infamous steam engine which was used to crush the sugar cane in order to release the liquid. Before the steam engine, the sugar cane had to be crushed by hand, a time consuming and labor intensive process.  The highly embellished engine was built in 1861 in Cold Spring, New York by the West Point Foundry, not far from my home.

View this short movie of the sugar mill in action:

Sugar Plantation

The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico fully restored the steam mill and today it is an amazing site to see in action. In 1979, it was even named a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. It is quite mesmerizing to watch all the intricate wheels and pistons turn and rise creating the steam needed to power this immense machine.  This lavishly decorated steam engine is the only West Point Foundry steam engine known to survive.

The Blood Mill and Puerto Rican History

Hacienda La Esperanza

Tour the grounds for other amazing artifacts.

We also toured additional ruins of the sugar mill where the sugar cane juice was boiled.  The original “blood mill,” is also on display.  This manual press was used before the onset of the steam engine to extract the juice out of the sugar cane, oftentimes resulting in crushed hands or arms, thus the name, blood mill.

After the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico in 1873, the sugar industry in Puerto Rico crumbled. However, the bitterness still remains as we are reminded of slaves who worked long and hard at this plantation. The hacienda went bankrupt, and in 1879 the land was sold.  Thanks to the Conservation Trust and their mission to conserve natural spaces and educate the public about important historical places, we are able to experience this piece of bitter history at such a sweet location. I recommend a visit to learn about Puerto Rican History at a Sugar Plantation (Hacienda La Esperanza).

 Go to Para la Naturaleza.org to make a reservation (required). Tours are available for a small fee in Spanish and English. Hacienda la Esperanza is at 616 Cll La Esperanza, Manatí, 00674, Puerto Rico

The Best Way to Explore Puerto Rico is with a GPS.  I use this one:

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For more information on Puerto Rico Tourism Visit: http://www.seepuertorico.com/

For more information about Puerto Rico History visit:

Where to go for Puerto Rican Rum History

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