Peppers is back

Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle reporter

The classic one-stop chill spot that many Jamaicans have grown to love is back, rocking a new level of sheer sophistication.

Peppers Nightclub, now Peppers Lounge and Grill, has developed a very large following over the years - being home to the 'oldies but goodies' folks, and the mature at heart. It is because of this popularity that they decided to fill the nightlife void and reopen their doors.

Kareen Bryan, who co-owns Peppers with her husband, Lodrick, explained, "There's a certain genre of society that needs a base, and Peppers was home to many people, so we just had to give them their home back."

They have, of course, stayed true to form in maintaining mouth-watering, authentically Jamaican foods, after opening on February 5. Their daily menu items include some Jamaican staples such as; stamp and go, jerk pork and jerk chicken, delectable grilled pig tail, as well as grilled sweet potato, just to name a few. "Gym was our first business, so in our menu, we wanted to be health conscious and deal with our ground provision."

A strong believer in growing what you eat and eating what you grow, she noted that they have also enhanced the flavour of their foods by incorporating the Jamaican Scotch bonnet pepper into their dishes.

A unique employment of pepper has been incorporated into their drinks menu, giving birth to the Peppertini. The Peppertini, is a combination of peppers infused with Skyy Vodka. With other important sponsors such as Appleton Estate and Campari on board, mixes like Nut & Bold, Bolt, the green cocktail, and Campari Grapefruit have become integral members of the Peppers family. All are prepared by their resident mixologists Damian Ingram and Assana Mills.

Patrons can look out for weekly events, namely Karaoke Sundays, Stayin' Alive Wednesdays, and Latin Night every Thursday to Saturday night, to complete an experience of exquisite delights with exciting entertainment. "So far, we have been getting support from a few of our regulars, but we encourage everyone to come and make themselves at home at peppers." encourages Bryan.

To sweeten the deal, Peppers imparted some mixing wisdom in preparing a few of their signature drinks:

Peppertini

❏ 1/2oz pepper-infused Skyy Vodka

❏ 1oz Skyy Vodka

❏ 1oz Triple sec

❏ 1/2oz Simple syrup

❏ 1/2oz lime juice

Fuse all ingredients in a martini glass. Stir and enjoy.

Nut & Bolt

(Nut)

❏ 1 1/2oz Appleton V/X

❏ 1/2oz Simple syrup

❏ 1/2oz lime juice

❏ 1oz Amaretto

❏1oz club soda

Combine all ingredients in a martini and indulge.

(Bolt)the green cocktail

❏ 1oz Appleton V/X

❏ 1oz orange juice

❏ 1oz pineapple juice

❏ 1/2 lime

❏ 1/2oz Simple syrup

❏ 1/2oz Triple sec

❏ 1/2oz Blue curaçao

Combine all of the above and savour the sweet flavour.

Campari Grapefruit

❏ 1oz Campari

❏ 2oz grapefruit soda

❏ 1/2oz Simple syrup

Pour in a rock glass. Ice recommended.

So, check them out. They are located at 31 Upper Waterloo Road, next door to MegaMart.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com