Looking for a tasty beverage to drink during the holidays, then try this Haitian style drink called Cremas. My version of the drink is vegan with the option to omit the alcohol.
Just when you thought I was done posting an amass of Caribbean festival beverage and now we have cremas. Yes my friends, this drink is pretty much straight forward but don't be fooled by it's simplicity, it's very tasty.
Just like other parts of the world that are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, the Caribbean is no different. Even if you're an islander living in the diaspora, you will never let go of your cultural ties.
There's nothing like a Caribbean Christmas, although most island celebrations have their similarities.
For example most islands will make a fruit cake which is popularly known as Black Cake and we love to drink Chocolate Tea which is like a rich chocolate made from the coco balls/sticks.
In terms of drinks, well that varies which brings me to the recipe in hand Haitian Cremas (aka kremas).
A drink that is super sweet from the use of condensed milk, with a balance of coconut from the cream of coconut/coconut milk, evaporated milk, spices (star anise, cinnamon and nutmeg) and alcohol (Barbancourt rhum is what makes the drink truly Haitian).
The texture of the drink is more on the thick side, similar to a cream liqeur (liquor) and can be drank in the comfort of your own home or at special occasions like weddings or christenings.
Like most Caribbean recipes, the actual recipe for cremas will vary from household to household. It's like a secret in terms of how each person may make theirs.
Today I'm going to show you how I make mine totally vegan, as I don't drink alcohol I simply swap the Barbancourt rhum (Haitian dark rum) for some dark alcohol free rum flavouring/essence and use almond milk in place of evaporated milk.
How to make Haitian Cremas
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender
- Blend into a smooth consistency
- Pour the drink into a bottle and refrigerate/serve accordingly.
Do you have any other Haitian recipes?
Yes, these are the links to my Haitian recipe so far (a combination of vegan/non vegan) - Epis, Haitian Pikliz, Akasan, Haitian Stewed Chicken
Do you have to use almond milk?
No, you can use oat milk or cashew milk if you don't care for almond milk.
What is cream of coconut and where can I buy it?
It's a thick sweet syrup like coconut milk that is specifically used in cocktails and drinks because if it's sweetness. You can buy it from most ethnic grocery stores i.e latino or simply go onto Amazon to order it there.
Notes and tips
- To keep the recipe vegan, you will want to use my Vegan Condensed milk. The recipe should be enough to cover this one.
- If you can't get hold of cream of coconut, chill 2 cans of FULL FAT coconut milk (must be full fat or it won't work) in the refrigerator and scoop it out and mix it with ¾ cup maple syrup/agave.
- Cremas is an extremely sweet drink, I only used about about 1 cup or less of condensed milk because I don't have a insatiable hunger for sweet drinks.
- You may want to do a taste test for sweetness and alcohol content as you go along. Start with half the amount stated and adjust to YOUR preference.
- If you are using rum flavouring/essence, you will need about 1-3 tbsp, again test taste as you go along.
- Keep you cremas refrigerated at all times, if you are using alcohol it should help to preserve it for some weeks.
- Non alcoholic cremas will have a short life span of about a week (we finish ours in less than a week).
Other festive drinks to try
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Haitian Cremas
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk (236ml)
- 2 cups cream of coconut (475ml)
- 1-2 cups vegan condensed coconut milk (236ml-475ml) see notes for the link
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon star anise extract optional
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 1-2 cups barbancourt rhum (236ml-475ml) or rum flavouring see notes
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend into a smooth consistency.
- Pour the drink into a bottle and refrigerate/serve accordingly.
Notes
- To keep the recipe vegan, you will want to use my Vegan Condensed milk. The recipe should be enough to cover this one.
- If you can't get hold of cream of coconut, chill 2 cans of FULL FAT coconut milk (must be full fat or it won't work) in the refrigerator and scoop it out and mix it with ¾ cup maple syrup/agave.
- Cremas is an extremely sweet drink, I only used about about 1 cup or less of condensed milk because I don't have a insatiable hunger for sweet drinks.
- You may want to do a taste test for sweetness and alcohol content as you go along. Start with half the amount stated and adjust to YOUR preference.
- If you are using rum flavouring/essence, you will need about 1-3 tbsp, again test taste as you go along.
- Keep you cremas refrigerated at all times, if you are using alcohol it should help to preserve it for some weeks.
- Non alcoholic cremas will have a short life span of about a week (we finish ours in less than a week).
Beth
These look so delicious and refreshing! I can't wait to make this for my husband and my kids! So excited!
Charla
Yay!! Enjoy it Beth.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
This sounds like such a tasty drink - I can't wait to give it a try!
Charla
It is! Enjoy it too Bintu.
Laura
I love the opportunity to try a Haitian drink. I made them with rhum and it was delicious.
Charla
I'm so glad to hear that Laura.
Katherine
So creamy and delicious. I love the addition of lime juice to brighten it up!
Charla
Thank you so much