MxMo 88: Hear the Coconut Song
Contributed by on Aug 25, 2014
Two readers love this post.
Hey it’s been a swell month seeing the coconut get so much love. I’m your host for this shindig of course JFL of Rated R Cocktails. I’d like to start by thanking Fred for letting me take the wheel for Mixology Monday 88 which I steered toward the lovely coconut. Normally I’d reach for the coconut cream, but I had so much fun with one ingredient back in March I couldn’t resist giving it another whirl.
One aspect to me about this cocktail I enjoyed was how well I believe gin and coconut pair. It’s really a superb marriage that should be exploited more. Originally I’d used cognac as well, but I decided El Dorado really added more to the body and character of the drink. Personally I was surprised to find how well coconut milk went with honey. We’ll however let you be the judge below.
Niu Mele
1 oz London Dry Gin
½ oz El Dorado 12 year
¼ oz Absinthe (we like Lucid)
1 oz unsweetened coconut milk
1 oz fresh lime juice
¾ oz Honey Mix (1:1)
1 dash orange bitters (Angostura or Fee Brothers)
Combine the ingredients in a tin and shake hard. Alternatively flash blend in a top down milkshake style blender for 5 seconds with crushed ice if blending or cracked ice if shaking. Then strain into a coupe and garnish with orange peel and mint.
Notes of absinthe, orange, juniper and dry coconut waft under the palate. This drink has a lovely snap from the lime and improves as it warms. The finish is long and increasingly fruity and floral with a rich body made light by citrus, absinthe, and gin. The front has much of the lime and juniper which melts into honey, smokey sweet demerera rum, and coconut. The coconut is crucial here because aside from the body it really frames the flavors. For those who don’t care for the fennel and anise flavors of absinthe this is a perfect starter. It’s bold flavors are mellowed by coconut and honey becoming lovely inoffensive, yet noticeable, accents. The Niu Mele is like a lively song you hear in the background at the bar. It excites you and is over all to soon making you want another.
I want to thank everyone else who’s chipped in so far. We hope we’ve given you cause to drink your daily coconut milk. We’ll have a roundup for you soon, and until next time.
“You Get Hammered America” -JFL