Belize is known for its beautiful beaches, laid-back vibe and plenty of things to do. A unique Belizean experience is taking the Viper Shot. The Viper Shot is a staple at one of the most popular beach clubs at on Ambergris Caye, a small island not far from Belize City.
Maruba Beach Klub offers its signature Viper Shot exclusively at its location on Secret Beach, a not-so-secret beach with in-water dining, various beach clubs, music, food, drinks, and more. The beach club is famous for its menu, Caribbean-favorite cocktails, and water activities like jetskis, a boat ride, and more.
The Viper Shot
The Viper Shot is a strong house specialty white rum that features one unique ingredient: a 15-year-old aged snake. Though the snake is dead, one taste of Maruba’s more-than-100-proof rum feels quite alive. But the Viper Shot is more than just a gulp of a really strong Belizean-made white rum. It’s an experience.
The Maruba Experience
When visiting Maruba Beach Klub, one mention of the famous “Viper Shot” will yield lots of smiles and encouragement from the friendly staff. The shot is typically taken near the bar, on a live edge counter — which some consider to be an area only the bravest go.
The staff will then bring out four key items for the experience: a glass bottle with a clearly visible snake inside, a plate with raw cane sugar, a few slices of pineapple, a lighter, and four large shot glasses filled with ice. Whichever staff member is leading the Viper Shot that day will announce what’s about to happen, often referred to as an initiation into “the Maruba Beach Klub family.”
Participants are asked to first sniff the bottle’s cap because even the scent is strong, and it’s an accurate indicator that the shot won’t be a weak one. Next, the bartender dumps out the ice, leaving the cold shot glasses behind, and fills them with the rum while the dead snake, whose eyes are still open, seems to watch.
Fire, Sugar, Celebration
One by one, shot takers are asked to quickly dip the very tip of their index finger into the shot, have their finger lit on fire, and then immediately into their mouths. However, the fire aspect of the shot if for show, and it doesn’t seem to damage or harm any shot takers.
After the “fiery” finger, the shot takers drink the rum, then taste the sugar and bite into their pineapple slice.
Once it’s over, the staff cheer and celebrate, and shot-takers are invited to sign their name in permanent marker on the bar, signaling another successful round of Maruba Beach Klub’s Viper Shot.
