Haitian Cremas
27.10.20
| Recipe by Renz
The holidays call for drinks you can sip slowly with your family. This Haitian cremas is just that. This sweet and creamy drink flavored with spices is just what you need to entertain your guests while spending some holiday time.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.
Christmas time in the Caribbean is a very festive time.
All the islands are filled with a lot of traditions that also include the food we make that is associated with that time of the year.
Cremas is the traditional Haitian drink they enjoy during the holiday time.
It is a sweet drink that is creamy and smooth. It is a blend of condensed milk, coconut cream, simple syrup, and spices.
There is nothing like a good drink with family.
A lot of the islands have their own drink that is enjoyed around Christmas time.
And a lot of the drinks, are a bit common across the islands.
It may have a different name and various different processes of making.
Haitian cremas or kremas or cremasse, is the Christmas drink that belongs to Haiti. And it packs its weight in delicious creamy liquor drinks categories.
As I mentioned initially, cremas is a creamy drink. It is also sweet and thick. Kind of like a thick milkshake.
The base of this sweet drink is cream of coconut, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and some rum. It is also spiced up with additional flavorings of extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
The color can vary depending on what color rum is used. So don’t be alarmed if you may see some with an off-white color or even down to beige.
Traditionally the rum used for this is Rhum barbancourt, but any dark rum can be used. I even know some people use white rum instead.
Popularly served at Christmas time and at other important social events, cremas is very similar to ponche de creme from Trinidad and Tobago. I think it is thinner in consistency than ponche de creme though.
It is also a cousin to the Puerto Rican coquito.
People usually say that it’s such a sweet drink that it should be consumed in small amounts. Ha. Just throw some ice in there.
Methods of making this drink can vary from person to person. The ingredients are usually very close. But the process is basically mixing all your ingredients together to make a combined, flavor-filled drink.
The ingredients you will need are:
For mine, I made a simple syrup. The sugar blends in better this way. You don’t
have lumps of sugar since it’s already dissolved in the process of making the
syrup.
Once that syrup is made and cooled, it is just to mix it in the rum, the milks, and coconut cream. But make sure you are adding them in with a steady flow since we want it to be smooth.
After that, it’s time to add the additional spices.
Once combined, I like to leave it to sit for a few hours before that first taste so that all the flavors can really mesh together.
How long does kremas (cremas) last?
My mom would tell you the safest place to store anything when in doubt, is in the fridge.
Cremas can be stored in a cool place once not opened and serving. And can be there for up to two years.
There is enough alcohol in it to save the milk, don’t worry.
It can also be stored in the refrigerator. It can go there from initial making or it can go there after you’ve started using it continuously.
Storing it in the fridge obviously gives it a longer shelf life.
In the fridge though, make sure you are not opening and closing the bottle too often. Or letting it experience too many temperature changes. It can solidify with constant temperature adjustments.
So the safest process is to serve and immediately return any leftovers to the fridge.
I have never had mine get solid so I am not sure if there is any way to salvage it. I think I would personally discard if I had this experience. If anyone knows what can be done let me know.
Regardless of where you store it, I suggest giving the bottle a good shake before pouring. Sometimes it gets clumpy from sitting. This is because of the coconut cream.
It is also commonly paired with some type of dessert or sweet pastry of some sort.
Like Pain Patate or plantain bread. But you can also indulge in some coconut bread pudding or pone along with a glass.
I love cremas over ice. And I really don’t need to pair it with any dessert. It’s the perfect nightcap. Strong and sweet.
If you are looking for some other Caribbean Christmas drinks, here are a few of my favorites:
Pin Me for Later:
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.
Christmas time in the Caribbean is a very festive time.
All the islands are filled with a lot of traditions that also include the food we make that is associated with that time of the year.
Cremas is the traditional Haitian drink they enjoy during the holiday time.
It is a sweet drink that is creamy and smooth. It is a blend of condensed milk, coconut cream, simple syrup, and spices.
There is nothing like a good drink with family.
A lot of the islands have their own drink that is enjoyed around Christmas time.
And a lot of the drinks, are a bit common across the islands.
It may have a different name and various different processes of making.
Haitian cremas or kremas or cremasse, is the Christmas drink that belongs to Haiti. And it packs its weight in delicious creamy liquor drinks categories.
What is cremas? Or kremas or cremasse
As I mentioned initially, cremas is a creamy drink. It is also sweet and thick. Kind of like a thick milkshake.
The base of this sweet drink is cream of coconut, evaporated milk, condensed milk, and some rum. It is also spiced up with additional flavorings of extract, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
The color can vary depending on what color rum is used. So don’t be alarmed if you may see some with an off-white color or even down to beige.
Traditionally the rum used for this is Rhum barbancourt, but any dark rum can be used. I even know some people use white rum instead.
Popularly served at Christmas time and at other important social events, cremas is very similar to ponche de creme from Trinidad and Tobago. I think it is thinner in consistency than ponche de creme though.
It is also a cousin to the Puerto Rican coquito.
People usually say that it’s such a sweet drink that it should be consumed in small amounts. Ha. Just throw some ice in there.
How to make cremas
Methods of making this drink can vary from person to person. The ingredients are usually very close. But the process is basically mixing all your ingredients together to make a combined, flavor-filled drink.
The ingredients you will need are:
- Rum. I used dark rum. Actually used rhum barbancourt
- Granulated sugar
- Water
- Cinnamon sticks
- Condensed milk
- Evaporated milk
- Cream of coconut
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Lime zest
Once that syrup is made and cooled, it is just to mix it in the rum, the milks, and coconut cream. But make sure you are adding them in with a steady flow since we want it to be smooth.
After that, it’s time to add the additional spices.
Once combined, I like to leave it to sit for a few hours before that first taste so that all the flavors can really mesh together.
Storage Options
How long does kremas (cremas) last?
My mom would tell you the safest place to store anything when in doubt, is in the fridge.
Cremas can be stored in a cool place once not opened and serving. And can be there for up to two years.
There is enough alcohol in it to save the milk, don’t worry.
It can also be stored in the refrigerator. It can go there from initial making or it can go there after you’ve started using it continuously.
Storing it in the fridge obviously gives it a longer shelf life.
In the fridge though, make sure you are not opening and closing the bottle too often. Or letting it experience too many temperature changes. It can solidify with constant temperature adjustments.
So the safest process is to serve and immediately return any leftovers to the fridge.
I have never had mine get solid so I am not sure if there is any way to salvage it. I think I would personally discard if I had this experience. If anyone knows what can be done let me know.
Regardless of where you store it, I suggest giving the bottle a good shake before pouring. Sometimes it gets clumpy from sitting. This is because of the coconut cream.
What to accompany this drink
Though it’s quite easy to have some cremas on its own. Either on ice or at room temperature.It is also commonly paired with some type of dessert or sweet pastry of some sort.
Like Pain Patate or plantain bread. But you can also indulge in some coconut bread pudding or pone along with a glass.
I love cremas over ice. And I really don’t need to pair it with any dessert. It’s the perfect nightcap. Strong and sweet.
If you are looking for some other Caribbean Christmas drinks, here are a few of my favorites:
Pin Me for Later:
Comments
Post a Comment