Mauby is a type of tea or syrup made on many Caribbean islands that has a distinct flavor that some say approaches root beer in taste. Unlike root beer, mauby, which can also be spelled mabi, maby, and mavi, tends to have a very bitter aftertaste. People who love the drink say the taste is an acquired one, but still quite refreshing. It’s by far one of the most popular beverages in the Caribbean, attesting that many people acquired a liking for the drink in childhood. On the other hand, many visitors to the Caribbean also quickly become fans as well.

The drink or syrup for the drink is made by boiling a specific buckthorn bark, Colubrina elliptica, with sugar and a variety of spices. In looking at individual recipes on how people make mauby, you’ll note spices and flavorings vary exceedingly. Cinnamon is usually included, but then the drink flavoring diverges according to recipe. Some people add cloves, anise, vanilla extract, or cola flavoring. Many suggest you must add Angostura bitters, which helps to balance out the bitter aftertaste.

Mauby syrup is the concentrated form of the drink, which people add to either sparkling or plain water. Home preparations are more likely to be lacking the effervescence. The drink does not usually contain alcohol, though you can find a few fermented varieties, or the syrup makes its way into local cocktails. Some people add rum to it for a drink similar to rum and cola. In almost all cases, you drink it chilled to augment its refreshing qualities.

There’s a great deal of lore regarding the health benefits of this tea or sparkling beverage, but the jury is still out on whether it is good for you, bad for you or has no effect whatsoever. Certainly high sugar content may not be the best thing in the world, although the sugar content is usually lower than that in sodas made in the US. Some claim that mauby is an aphrodisiac, while others have asserted that the drink causes impotence.

Other claims about this drink are that it is good for arthritis, reduces cholesterol, treats diarrhea, and may help fight diabetes. Only one assertion regarding its health benefits has been clinically studied. According to the University of the West Indies, mauby, especially when combined with coconut milk, may lower blood pressure.

If you don’t have time to make your own mauby, you can of course order the syrup on the Internet, or better yet, take a trip to the Caribbean to enjoy it! You may have some luck finding mauby syrup in Puerto Rican grocery stores, where you usually must ask for mavi. If you have the opportunity to visit different islands, you’ll note slight to major differences in taste on each Caribbean island. Each island appears to have different preferences regarding flavors that should be added to the bark in order to produce the best-tasting drink.