Caribbean Moonshine Brings Robust Flavors of Finely-Crafted Caribbean Rums To Orlando Outlet Mall.
A glimpse into one of Florida’s most infamous connections to the history and culture of the Caribbean is now available at the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet Mall.
Caribbean Moonshine, a 3,000-square-foot craft distillery, tasting room, bar, and tropics-inspired retail store aims to bring some of the best craft spirits from the Caribbean to the U.S. mainland.
The store, painted in the bright tropical colors of the islands, offers what they are calling the “Taste of Vacation” in five flavors of rum with such exotic names as Passion Fruit Prohibition, Marmalade Mayhem, Cat 5 Coconut, Banana Breeze, and PB&C (peanut butter and chocolate) Cannonball.
Today’s Caribbean Moonshine products originate in Puerto Rico, which is known around the world for its fine-quality spirits. But the written history of rum-making in the islands dates to the 17th century when slaves working in the sugar cane fields of Barbados began creating and distilling their own spirits; hence the reference to “moonshine.”
The original high-proof moonshine was called “rumbullion,” a name that was shortened to “rum” by European settlers.
The “rum base” for Caribbean Moonshine is distilled at the Club Caribe distillery in the mountainous region of Cidra, Puerto Rico. Once distilled at 110 proof, the rum base is shipped to The Point Distillery in New Port Richey, Fla., where it is blended with pure Florida spring water and Florida cane sugar to produce a more consumable 50-proof libation. Natural fruit flavorings and colors are added to the varietal rums prior to shipping to the Orlando Premium Outlet Mall.
Visitors to Caribbean Moonshine can see the final stages of production at the store’s craft distillery where craft bottlers finish the product by bottling and casing it for sale. And, each flavor is on tap for tasting.
According to store creators, Steve Nichols and Mike Weber, two long-time travel industry professionals and entrepreneurs, visitors to the Orlando retail outlet also can see displays of some of the history and lore of rum-making in both the islands and in Florida.
“Florida was something of a bootlegger's paradise after the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane and during the decade of the 1930s, when prohibition was enforced,” Nichols said. “During those years, stills popped up all around Florida, and infamous mobster Al Capone was known to have run the “Lost City” distillery hidden deep in the Everglades.”
“Our goal is to recreate a sense of those times,” Nichols said, “for both Floridians and visitors from around the world.”
In addition to beverages, Caribbean Moonshine features a special brand of artisanal, fruit-flavored rum cakes, called “shine” cakes, from a local bakery made with Caribbean Moonshine.
Keeping with the entrepreneurial spirit, Nichols and Weber have created and tested recipes for Caribbean Moonshine cocktails and baked goods, some of which are available at the store or online at www.CaribbeanMoonshine.com.
Along with rums and food specialties, the shop is filled with Caribbean “moonshine” and “bootlegger” paraphernalia. You’ll find straw hats, t-shirts, pet bowls, moonshine mug holders, and more. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays.
About Caribbean Moonshine
Caribbean Moonshine is a “craft distillery” and retail outlet located in Orlando’s Vineland Premium Outlet Mall, 8200 Vineland Avenue, Orlando FL 32821.
The shop offers daily tastings of its artisanal rum beverages and moonshine-inspired cakes and treats, as well as viewing of its bottling and packaging process. It was conceived and developed by Entrepreneurs Steve Nichols and Mike Weber, who have researched the history of “moonshining” in the Caribbean and Florida.
They have developed various recipes using Caribbean Moonshine which are available in the store and at www.CaribbeanMoonshine.com.
Caribbean Moonshine-flavored rums also are available at Total Wines, ABC Fine Wines and Spirits and other retail locations throughout South and Central Florida.
For the latest news and events from throughout Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you updated throughout the day, every day.
You can also stay updated with the latest news and events on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Plus, you should subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel!
