Discover Puerto Rico’s Rum Heritage with Don Q

Puerto Rico’s love affair with rum has endured for centuries. Among its best distillers are the Serrallés family, who have been on a constant quest to perfect the art of rum making since 1865. Their commitment to the techniques and eco-friendly processes that define Don Q Rum make them the unquestionable favorite on the island, which leads the world in rum production. In fact, it was Don Q Rum that went into the first-ever Piña Colada, Puerto Rico’s national drink, when it was concocted in 1954 at the Beachcombers Bar in San Juan’s Caribe Hilton hotel.

An Exquisite Culinary Event

iBestTravel was proud to celebrate this rich history with a dinner hosted in collaboration with Discover Puerto Rico. At this supper club-style event, guests were welcomed to Vauxhall’s Brunswick House, a Georgian mansion juxtaposed against the modern city skyline, complete with candle-lit chandeliers and numerous architectural gems. An interactive Don Q Rum station greeted guests, where they could try their hand at making their own Piña Colada, overseen by the expert eye of the Trailer Happiness team.

Exceptional Menu Highlights

With Chef Mario Pagán flying in from Puerto Rico specially for the event to curate a bespoke menu alongside London legend Jackson Boxer, the food was destined to be spectacular. Highlights included:

• SERENATA: English pea coconut chilled soup, bacalao frito, radishes, quail egg
• MORCILLA: Queen sea scallop, morcilla pudding pegaíto rice, avocado, cilantro lime aïoli
• LECHÓN: Adobo suckling pig Wellington, yuca anise buñuelo, tamarind emulsion, chicharrón
• BUDÍN: Almíbar guineíto budín, Don Q Reserva 7-Year, earl grey ice cream, toffee sticky sauce

With Don Q cocktail pairings flowing throughout, Puerto Rican music, and bright florals by Blooming Haus, the island’s spirit was undoubtedly brought to London, even if for only one night.