Want to know the secret to why cocktails taste even better on St Croix? It’s something called “the island pour.”
The Island Pour
Here on island, bartenders pour a little heavy handed. To be clear, I’m not complaining!
Every time a bartender pours my drink, I watch it from start to finish. As a woman, I think it’s important to keep an eye on your cocktail to make sure you know what’s going into your drink. As a bartender, I count along to measure out the pour and make sure it’s a balanced cocktail.
The first time I ordered a drink here, my eyes bulged when I saw the bartender build my beverage. There was so much alcohol in it! But, the drink was perfectly balanced and tasted fantastic. I just figured that the bar was very generous with their drink pours.
When I went to a second bar, I realized they were pouring heavy there too. Then a gentleman next to me ordered a “gin and tonic, stateside pour.” Not being familiar with the language, I inquired about the meaning of the term.
The Island Pour vs The Stateside Pour
A general bartending rule in the states is 1-1.5 ounces of alcohol as a base. A rocks pour would be considered 2 ounces. And if you want that extra half ounce, you have to pay for it.
In St Croix, the pour is much different. Most drinks contain between 2-4 ounces of alcohol. This is a big difference! HUGE!
If you’re drinking on the island, be sure to watch your alcohol intake. Someone next to me at breakfast said “I can drink the same amount of cocktails in the states and am never this hungover!” But after watching the drinks be slung around here, I see why! Especially when they’re mixed with different types of alcohol and sugary bases.
Remember to stay hydrated with water in between beverages. I even brought electrolytes to help my body rehydrate after a fun pool or beach day! Again, all of that alcohol can creep up on you and potentially ruin your next day.
If you aren’t much of a drinker or you don’t want as strong of a cocktail- just tell your bartender! Tell them you want a “stateside pour” and they’ll know exactly what to do. They want you to enjoy yourself, and are happy to do it. Besides, their goal is to keep you happy, satisfied, and continuously drinking.
You’re down here to kick back and enjoy yourself. As someone who approves of “the island pour,” it’s one of my favorite things about St Croix! Cheers to the island pour!