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Green Sands

12 November 2008 2,274 views 6 Comments

Green Sands

It was some time ago when I learnt via Can Cook Must Cook that one of my childhood faves was back on the block! Growing up, a sip of Green Sands was a really big deal as it was the closest that I was allowed to ‘alcohol’ (not including the thimble-sized portion of red wine that I was allowed at special dinners). In my teens I took to making my own shandies by combining Carib beer and lemonade, much to my mom’s disapproval and my father’s amusement. Still, Green Sands remained the creme de la creme in my eyes. Then one day it disappeared for reasons that I never ascertained. The vacuum it left was quickly filled by the launch of Shandy Carib and as variant flavours were released the memory of Green Sands faded into an odd sentimental pastiche. Then, as previously mentioned, it returned. And I can only ask myself one thing. Why?

Oh, I’m sure it has its supporters and devotees but for me this is one drink that grew so magnified in nostalgia that it could only be a shadow of its former self once its feet were placed back on the court. Now I find its colour too murky, its taste too bitter. Thoughts that no doubt have come about after years of sweet Shandy indoctrination. Some memories are best left as just that :( But, I can’t resist posting this hilarious 80s’ era Green Sands advert from France that I found on YouTube. Boy am I glad this ad never ran in Trinidad. That woulda seriously kill the vibez :D :lol:

Here’s a snippet of one of the local ads that I -did- grow up with however ;)

TriniPulse.com: The History of Green Sands (in Trinidad)

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6 Comments »

  • Jaz Borden said:

    Yeah! That French Green Sands advertisement failed miserably! Local Green Sands ad for the win! I loved that ad lolz :-D

    # 12 November 2008 at 3:06 am | link
  • Taran Rampersad said:

    I’ve tasted it myself, and came to a similar conclusion.

    I think it’s lacking something – but I think the issue is really that the beer has changed in the last 20 years. Remember when Carib beers would spoil? The pre-formaldehyde era of Trinidad beer?

    # 13 November 2008 at 4:34 pm | link
  • Sarina (author) said:

    Jason – :)

    Taran – so glad it’s not just me lol, i was so disappointed. I never knew that Carib used to spoil (never got into drinking beer plain), it have formaldehyde in it now? WAY!!!!! That takes curing with alcohol to a whole new level!

    # 13 November 2008 at 4:50 pm | link
  • Jaz Borden said:

    Yeah, it’s a little disturbing that some of the ingredients in certain things we consume – especially in the case of smokers – are the same things we used to clean things like our driveways!

    # 14 November 2008 at 6:45 am | link
  • Susan from Food Blogga said:

    You were allowed a thimble-sized portion of red wine? Lucky stiff. ;)

    # 14 November 2008 at 7:04 pm | link
  • Sarina (author) said:

    Jaz – i still love my coca cola tho lol.

    Susan – heheh :D it was only when i moved to the US in the late 90s that i realized that other countries are much stricter about kids taking a little sip now and then lol :D

    # 14 November 2008 at 7:40 pm | link

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