On a hot day (and there are many of those in Barbados), many Bajans reach for a refreshing glass of mauby to quench their thirst and cool down.

Mauby is made from the bark of the Mauby tree, boiled with cinnamon, orange peel, nutmeg and cloves, and sweetened to taste.

It is rather a unique flavour, with a bitter after taste, and some people really dislike it! But of course it's a favourite of many others. So it's worth at least trying... you might find yourself adding it to rum punch, coconut water and Banks beer as your go-to drinks in Barbados!

Mauby was traditionally sold by vendors who walked around the towns & villages dispensing the delicious drink from buckets expertly balanced on their heads. Today mauby is on the menu at many local cafes and even at the Chefette chain of fast food restaurants.

While some Barbadians do still boil mauby at home, many prefer the convenience of instant mauby syrup readily available in the supermarkets. You can order mauby syrup at Amazon.com.