Walking around downtown Christiansted is a visually intriguing experience. The abandoned buildings seem to alternate with the renovated ones giving it a very eclectic vibe. There’s overgrown rubble, like something out of an apocalyptic movie on one corner. Opposite a freshly painted, modernized spa or eatery. This trend continues through the streets as your feet transition from old, dilapidated sidewalk to Mediterranean inspired tiles. As we make our way down Strand Street, which could classify as an alley, there are more overgrown structures lining the road leading up to the address we are seeking. 40 Strand Street. Our motivation? MUTINY Island Vodka! The world’s first, breadfruit derived spirit.
40 Eats and Drinks – no Longer in Business
40 Strand Street, Christiansted was home to 40 Eats and Drinks, a small restaurant with only a handful of tables and a few seats at the bar. The building is the old island icehouse. Built by the Danes in the 19th century and used to store ice that was delivered to the island. The location has since turned over to a couple different businesses.
Meeting with Mutiny
Originally, we are to meet with Todd Manley, chef, restaurateur, “2015 St. Croix Business Man of the Year” and MUTINY Island Vodka co-founder. Unfortunately, Todd is busy with a 40,000lbs breadfruit delivery that arrived at MUTINY’s soon to be island distillery, earlier in the day. Formerly from Virginia, Todd moved to St. Croix and has become one of the popular faces of the food and beverage industry on the island. Instead, but not regrettably, we are introduced to Brant Pell, culinary expert, restaurateur, “2015 St. Croix Businessman of the Year” and MUTINY Island Vodka share holder. And with him, is a bottle of MUTINY Island Vodka.
Brant greets us warmly and offers us a seat at the bar where Carson Delledonne, 40’s own craft cocktail wizard is already mixing us a MUTINY concoction. The clear spirit is distilled from breadfruit using the vodka distillation process. However, because it is not derived from grains or potatoes, MUTINY is branded as ‘Island Vodka’. We start off by sampling the Island Vodka straight. The clear, breadfruit spirit has a very characteristic aroma and presents unique tropical notes on the palate. It is slightly sweet upfront with a clean finish, and quite enjoyable on its own. Stop!!…
What is BREADFRUIT?!?!
OK. Let’s take a step back here. What is breadfruit? Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a small melon-size, gluten free, staple starch in the Caribbean. Originally from the South Pacific, this relative to the mulberry and jackfruit was introduced to the Caribbean by European settlers back in the 18th century. It is a highly regarded resource, as one tree can develop over 200 fruit per season! The trees can grow up to about 26 meters (85 feet), are extremely low maintenance and can be easily propagated via root cuttings (more here). They say the sound it makes when it falls off the tree tells you how ripe it is, which will dictate the preparation process. At one stage in its ripeness, it produces a ‘fresh bread’ like flavour, hence its name. You can cook it in its main form or grind it down to produce flour. Here is a fun little summation of the breadfruit’s versatility as a culinary item: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
versatility is the name of the game
So as a spirit, what exactly does breadfruit pair with? “It goes well with anything that grows next to it!” says Brant. “Mangoes, pineapples, papaya, guava,” he continued. It’s evident in talking to Brant that he is very passionate about MUTINY. He explained that the MUTINY team has been traveling the world over the last year, introducing people around the globe to this unique new spirit. They recently returned from a trip to Hawaii and the Global Breadfruit Summit where it won the award for innovation. Just prior to that they were in Europe for Bar Convent Berlin. By the sounds of it, this 80-proof spirit is quickly becoming a new favourite on an international scale!
We start to discuss the versatility of MUTINY and it’s “Swiss army knife” character as a spirit, easily supplemented for vodka, rum, tequila and even gin, in various cocktail recipes. The bartender prepares us a couple cocktails including “Blood Moon” and “Island Mule”. Our favourite is definitely the “My Old Thai”. Here’s the recipe:
“Island vodka and vodka are different. Not that one is better than the other. With island vodka, you can taste citrus and green banana as you experience its silky smoothness. You don’t get that with other vodkas.” ~Todd Manley, co-founder of MUTINY Island Vodka
Where Can You Get Your Hands on Mutiny?
MUTINY is now produced on the island at Sion Farm Distillery, about a 10 minute drive from downtown Christiansted. You can also sample MUTINY at one of several locations (40 Eats and Drinks, The Mill, and RAW). The bartenders at these locations are sure to wow you with a MUTINY based cocktail. They also regularly host tastings at random locations on island, be it the Plaza Extra West or a local culinary event. You can even pick up a bottle at Plaza Extra West on island; a 750 mL bottle of MUTINY Island Vodka retails at $25 USD. MUTINY is also available at select locations on the mainland, in ABC stores across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
For more information, including the historic events that inspired the name, check them out on their website: http://www.
Check out the rest of our Day 3 itinerary, including our meal at 40 Eats and Drinks. Looking to plan a trip to St. Croix? Start here.
Love Mutiny. Hurry and start shipping to Texas. 😀
Hi Lawrence! Isn’t it a wonderful spirit? We are so excited about it becoming available in the Mid-Atlantic. I’m sure it’ll head towards the Gulf before you know it! Where did you get a chance to sample it?
Hi!!! Just discoveres Mutiny a month ago.
I love it. How can I submit my coctel and win the week in the Island?
Hi Jose, thanks for stopping by! How did you come across Mutiny Island Vodka!? We love to hear where people meet Mutiny for the first time. Also, that is a fantastic idea! Maybe Mutiny could pick up that idea for a contest. We’d love to enter too! Happy traveling 🙂
FYI Muntiny Island Vodka has just started to hit the Atlanta, GA. market.
It turily is something you MUST try…
Thanks for sharing with us Jeff! Here’s hoping it will eventually be widely available on the mainland! Our closest shop is in Virginia Beach.
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