Bitter Melon Cocktail

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When life hands you bitter melons, make bitter melon-ade!
(Read my blog post)

Ingredients (makes 2 delicious cocktails):

• 3 oz. gin (Dorothy Parker is my preference)

• 1 oz. fresh lime juice

• 1 1/2 oz. Agwa de Bolivia Coca Leaf Liquer (you can substitute Green Chartreuse, if needed)

• 1/2 oz. bitter melon juice* (see below)

• Thai basil

Method:

1. Combine gin, lime juice, Agwa de Bolivia, and bitter melon juice into a shaker (make sure the juice is fully incorporated).

2. Shake with ice, strain, and pour into a chilled coup.

3. Smack of Thai basil to garnish.

*Bitter melon juice:

1. Cut 2-3 medium sized bitter melons into sections and hull out the insides.

2. Slice into chunks and chop in a blender.

3. Add a bit of water to the chopped mixture and blend.

4. Strain the puree through cheese cloth & sieve (it will take some time)

5. Pour off the green bitter melon juice into a container.

Leftover juice may be frozen for later (freeze responsibly!)