Never mind “let it snow.” If you’ve ever experienced a Caribbean Christmas, you know the joys of swapping sleigh rides and snowflakes for sun, sand and sea, or passing up eggnog for ponche de creme (Trinidad), coquito (Puerto Rico) or kremas (Haiti). For those stuck in frigid climes this holiday season, Nicole Grimes, CEO and Founder of Carib Biz Network, takes over my column with the remedy: 12 Caribbean-American brands capable of delivering a slice of the islands to your doorstep.
Island Pops
Heritage: Trinidad & Tobago
What: An artisanal Caribbean ice cream and popsicle shop
At Island Pops, every mouth-watering scoop takes you on a nostalgic journey to the Caribbean islands. The owners, married couple Khalid Hamid and Shelly Marshall, started the company because they—like many who relocate to the US—were desperately missing a taste of their home country, Trinidad & Tobago. Nine years later, with top-selling ice cream flavors like grapenut, nutmeg, soursop, guava cheesecake and sorrel rum sorbet, they continue to spread their dessert love far and wide. National shipping available via Goldbelly.com.
Island Love Cakes
Heritage: Guyana
What: Rum and Cognac infused-cakes
Island Love Cakes was born from a secret Guyanese family recipe: owner Sandra Soogrim’s mother’s Christmas rum cake, a dessert rich with fruits, nutmeg, and rum. Wanting to take things a step further, she experimented with other spirits found only in the Caribbean. Today, the brand’s delicious cakes are flavored by a range of premium Caribbean spirits, including Hennessy Pure White, Hennessy Very Special, Malibu Coconut Rum and El Dorado 5 Year Aged Rum.
Paper Papayas
Paper Papayas
Heritage: Trinidad & Tobago
What: Hand-made polymer clay jewelry
At the helm of Paper Papayas is Trinidadian-American artisan Shae Rogers, who dedicates herself to fashioning handcrafted accessories inspired by the flora and fauna of the Caribbean. Every piece bears deep cultural meaning, empowering individuals to embrace their heritage while indulging in beauty and liberation. As the proud owner of a small, Black woman-led business, Shae pays homage to the strength and elegance of the women of her ancestry.
CariBBrew
Heritage: Haiti
What: Haitian Coffee & Chocolate sources directly from the island
CariBBrew is on a mission to make an impact “one cup at a time.” Coffee remains one of Haiti’s chief agricultural commodities, so the brand works in partnership with small-scale farmers on the island to grow and hand pick some of the world’s best Arabica beans. Owner Beverly Malbranche was on a mission to create long-term, sustainable jobs for her people; today her growing brand can be found online and at coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores and subscription box services across the US.
CariBBrew Coffee
Ten to One Rum
Heritage: Trinidad & Tobago
What: Caribbean blended rums
Founded in 2019 by Trinidadian Marc Farrell, Ten to One aims to be a disruptor in the rum marketplace. The ex-Starbucks VP touts his brand as “rum reimagined,” creating unique rum blends and telling a new, authentic story grounded in Caribbean culture, starting with the brand name: “Ten to One” is in tribute to the West Indies Federation, a union of 10 Caribbean nations from 1958 to 1962.
Uncle Waithley’s
Heritage: St. Vincent
Location: New York
What: Scotch-bonnet spiced ginger beer
Uncle Waithley’s is not your ordinary ginger beer. Its proud founder Karl Franz Williams—whose grandfather cultivated ginger on St. Vincent and crafted delectable ginger beer—wanted to launch a fresh, unique mixer to use in bars he owns in New York and Connecticut. So he decided to “spice things up” by adding scotch bonnet, a pepper common throughout the Caribbean and prized for its heat and sweet flavor. Other recipe ingredients include ginger, turmeric and the freshest limes.
Jam + Rico
Jam + Rico
Heritage: Jamaica & Puerto Rico
What: Handmade bold, Gold-plated and unique jewelry
The team at Jam + Rico goes to extra lengths to create perfectly island-inspired jewelry pieces. They travel to Caribbean countries to find inspiration from the people, culture, music and terrain, and have named special collections after Puerto Rico, Cuba, Aruba & Jamaica. Influenced by her immigrant grandparents from Jamaica and Puerto Rico—hence the name of the brand—owner Lisette Scott credits her creative and design to the colors, art, traditional celebrations and beaches of both islands.
LS Cream Liqueur
Heritage: Haiti
What: Award-winning liqueur inspired by Haitian kremas
In Haitian culture, kremas is a homemade delight typically served at family gatherings and during the holidays. LS Cream Liqueur, an award-winning cordial founded by husband-wife team Myriam Jean-Baptiste and Stevens Charles, taps into this ancestral recipe as a nod to Steven’s late grandmother—LS were her initials—and uses all-natural Caribbean ingredients like coconut, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. The liqueur has already garnered accolades, including a gold medal at the Wines and Spirits Wholesalers of America Competition in Las Vegas.
Scotch Boyz flavor
Scotch Boyz
Heritage: Jamaica
What: Authentic Jamaican sauces
Scotch Boyz was born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, by four childhood friends competing in a Jamaican BBQ competition. After now-CEO Neil Hudson and friends claimed victory, they faced a demand for their sauce and launched their company. A little Scotch Boyz will surely spice up your Christmas dinner.
Reyna Noriega
Heritage: Cuba & Bahamas
What: Lifestyle products
Teacher-turned-artist Reyna Noriega creates eye-catching work as a reflection of her commitment to the transformational power of visual art, taking bold, colorful illustrations and turning them to products: print art, stationery, nail art, home decor items like throw pillows and blankets. Noriega also has numerous national brand partnerships under her belt, including a swim collection with Nomad Swimwear and a partnership with Clif Family Winery.
Natural Annie Essentials
Heritage: Jamaica
What: Non-toxic soy candles & home decor inspired by the Caribbean
Lovers of natural ingredients and tropical decor will adore Natural Annie Essentials: Caribbean-inspired home fragrances, art prints and other home-enhancing items capable of lifting your mood and transporting you to your favorite tropical destination. Owner Annie White-Brown’s initial passion for natural remedies connects to her childhood in Jamaica, where she grew up using oils and herbs. While Natural Annie began its focus on body products back in 2015, the brand’s soy candles, including wholesale white-labeling for numerous other companies, fast became the brand staple.
Uncle Waithley’s ginger beer
Pisqueya
Heritage: Dominican Republic
What: Caribbean inspired hot sauces, adobo seasoning and BBQ sauce
Pisqueya, founded by Dominican-American Maritza Abreu, is a line of all-natural, high-quality spices and sauces, including such top sellers as a spicy-sweet passion fruit hot sauce and a tamarindo bar-b-que sauce. The brand— born in the merengue-filled kitchen of Maritza’s parents’ Brooklyn restaurant Puerto Viejo—is all about adding to the culinary gap in the Caribbean food space and touts the values of family, love and community, hallmarks of any holiday season.
For more Caribbean-American brands to support, check out Carib Biz Network’s 2023 Holiday gift guide, featuring 70+ small businesses.
