Mamajuana Dominican Republic Style

Mamajuana is a Dominican Republic alcoholic drink that originated from the herbal tea the Taíno people of Hispaniola, the island now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti used to drink. Sometime in the 16^th century rum was added to this classic herbal tea. The drink is also associated with Dominican folklore about health and vitality. Mamajuana is a traditional drink to share with friends and family at gatherings. Dominican mamajuana is a mixture of tree bark, herbs, spices, Dominican rum, red wine and honey. The base (herbs, spices and tree bark) can be used over and over again and all you need to do is add rum, wine and honey to the base.

Step 1. You will need to ferment the tree bark, spices and herbs in a mixture of 50% red wine and 50% honey. After one week of fermenting throw out the liquid in the bottle and you will be ready to make the mamajuana. We call it the fermenting process, but, along with fermenting the base you are also washing the tree bark, spices, and herbs one more time to ensure that they are properly cleansed in case this was not done by the people who sold you the mamajuana. Step 2. Mamajuana is much like BBQ sauce in the United States. There are many different versions of the sauce -some are sweeter, and some are spicier, etc. This is the same for Dominican mamajuana, but a good base recipe is:

• Rum 50%
• Red wine 40%
• Honey 10%

In time you will figure out the perfect mixture for your taste buds. If you like it a little sweeter, you can add a little more honey, and, if you like it a little stronger, then add a little less wine and more rum. While most Dominicans don’t add anything other than the herbs, spices and tree bark with the rum, red wine and honey, there are people who like to add such things as ginger, cinnamon and vanilla, for example. I once had mamajuana where they had added coffee beans to the mixture and I really liked that mix. I now incorporate a little cinnamon and coffee beans. Note: If you buy a bottle with the herbs and tree bark already inside the bottle and the bark looks a little wet, then in most cases the store where you bought the mamajuana has already fermented the tree bark and herbs for you. It never hurts to clean the herbs and tree bark one more time when you are back home just to give you that feeling of knowing that you cleaned them.

Before traveling with mamajuana, check your destination’s customs and agricultural rules and your airline’s alcohol and baggage requirements. Plant ingredients may be restricted; adding rum does not guarantee admission. For U.S. entry, declare the bark, herbs and other agricultural ingredients and let Customs and Border Protection determine whether they are allowed. See official U.S. customs declaration guidance.

The longer you use the base (herbs, spices and tree bark), the smoother it becomes. The base is known to last 10+ years. This makes a great memory of your time in the Dominican Republic for years to come. We have many past clients who for years have sent us pictures of them enjoying their mamajuana back home with friends. It makes for a great story for all your friends back home and they will for sure enjoy the experience alongside you. Beyond the folklore, this drink is often enjoyed as part of a shared Dominican experience. Open the bottle, pour a few glasses for your friends and yourself, then watch the power of this Dominican elixir come alive, ensuring you have a wonderful time in the present while filling your thoughts with special memories of the past -your time in the Dominican Republic. This is one of our suggested souvenirs to take back with you from your visit to the Dominican Republic and you can read here for more Dominican Republic souvenir ideas.