Participants received information on the history of the traditional Virgin Islands holiday liqueur and a demonstration on how to mix the special syrup for the final product. Persons were also given the opportunity to create their own guavaberry rum brew. Photo: GIS

The workshop was held on October 7, 2026, and was facilitated by Mrs Janice Nibbs Blyden, who has been making Guavaberry Liqueur for fifty (50) years. Photo: GIS

The upcoming Christmas season promises to be merrier for approximately 40 residents who completed a workshop on ‘The Art of Making Guavaberry Liqueur.’ Photo: GIS

The workshop was held on October 7, 2026, and was facilitated by Mrs Janice Nibbs Blyden, who has been making Guavaberry Liqueur for fifty (50) years. 

Ms Blyden is also a retired Deputy Chief Librarian and a local author who in recent times has published two (2) children’s books: I Want to be a Thatcher Man and I Want to be a Baker. She has also published a mini recipe booklet which serves as a guide to making The VI traditional Guavaberry Liqueur.

Participants received information on the history of the traditional Virgin Islands holiday liqueur and a demonstration on how to mix the special syrup for the final product. Persons were also given the opportunity to create their own guavaberry rum brew.

'An important part of BVI culture'

According to a press release from the Government Information Service (GIS), Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Ms Anne A. Lennard, welcomed participants and expressed that the department has been very pleased with the response and support by the public for these workshops. 

Ms Lennard said, “Guavaberry Liqueur may have been around for centuries, and while Virgin Islanders call it our own, it is also made in neighbouring St Maarten and the Dominican Republic, with trees also likely found in Cuba and other select countries. Guavaberry Liqueur is traditionally served around Christmas time as a holiday drink. This liqueur is an important part of BVI culture, and through this workshop we are doing our part to help preserve it.”

The workshops have formed part of the Department of Culture’s ongoing series of cultural educational efforts designed to document, preserve and share aspects of Virgin Islands heritage with the wider community. This event was also supported by The Jennie Wheatley Virgin Islands Studies Institute at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).