MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The Parrot Club by day. ABOVE: The Water Club, the boutique hotel on the beach.

Resources Hotel Wyndham Condado www.wyndhamcondadoplaza.com The Water Club www.waterclubsanjuan.com Puerto Rico Tourism Company www.gotopuertorico.com The Parrot Club 363 Calle Fortaleza Old San Juan 1 787 725-7370

   The most glamorous stage of the tour is certainly at the art déco bar that embodies the very image of the Bacardi Bar in Havana, Cuba. The original bar experienced its heyday during American Prohibition, when artists and party goers would hop over to Cuba to sip daiquiris to their hearts’ content. Sipping many a daiquiri at the Floridita bar in Havana, Ernest Hemingway is commonly associated with the cocktail—though the refreshing elixir was actually made before the great literary figure brought it to fame. A gentleman named Jennings Cox first assembled it in the late nineteenth century at the village of Daiquiri, close to Santiago, and it soon went

To this day, they still use the same yeast strain that was used in 1862, giving Bacardi its distinctive taste and aroma

onto be the chic sip of bars all over Havana.
   At the Casa Bacardi art déco bar, you will also learn about other cocktails that were born out the glitzy Havana cocktail era, such as the Cuba libre and the mojito. Simply a rum and coke, the Cuba libre isn’t the most inspiring drink; the mojito, however, is one of the most refreshing libations, water aside. It is a wonderful mix of rum, sugar, fresh lime juice, mint and (optional) soda water. It has made quite a comeback in modern-day mixology and rightly so because it is a great drink.
   The most valuable information gleaned from our visit lies in the very making of Bacardi rum. To this day, they still use the same yeast strain that was used in 1862, giving Bacardi its distinctive taste and aroma. We also discovered, during a rum tasting, that Bacardi has a house style that is light and refreshing. This character makes their rum so ideal for mixing and a few of the older rums are good for the snifter, too.
   Once you have learnt all about rum, you might want to see how it fares outside the Casa Bacardi and make your way to Old San Juan for a taste of some thirst-quenching mojitos at the Parrot Club. This Nuevo Latin bistro serves up tasty dishes in a colourful atmosphere and has a range of rum-based elixirs.
   Once satiated, you should take a stroll down the cobbled streets of Old San Juan. Admittedly, it is a small area but it preserves much of Puerto Rico’s history. The Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, or ‘El Morro’ fortress, is a stunning sight on the bay that cannot be missed.
   This part of San Juan also offers one of Puerto Rico’s luxury hotels, Hotel El Convento. The beautiful old-world Spanish hotel was originally a convent back in 1651 through to 1903. Other historical landmarks to check here would be the San Juan Cathedral and the La Princesa, which once served as a prison but now houses the Puerto Rico tourism headquarters.
   We spent one balmy evening sipping rum libations at the Water Club, a boutique hotel on the beach. Water is the theme and you will find it in motion throughout the entire hotel. We quenched our thirst at their appropriately named rooftop bar, Wet. If you fancy a hip residential stay, we suggest you check into one of their all-white, minimalist and serene rooms, overlooking the ocean.
   Rum libations aside, Puerto Rico makes for an enjoyable stop when island hopping across the Caribbean. The island is relaxed, the folks are friendly, the food is hearty and the hot, humid air smells of the sea, these things conspire to make a thirsty tourist and very content. •

Pameladevi Govinda is travel correspondent for Lucire.