AGWA de Bolivia

Agwa de Bolivia is an all-natural herbal liqueur made from Bolivian coca leaves.

These leaves have been used for medicinal purposes in South America for centuries to aid digestion, increase stamina and reduce altitude sickness.

Of course the coca leaf attracts a great deal of controversy today because of its use in the production of cocaine.

The makers of Agwa de Bolivia use the first harvest of leaves and have them shipped to Amsterdam under armed guard.

The leaves are then distilled (and de-cocainised) into a strong, peppery flavored spirit that is then blended with other botanicals, lime juice concentrate, and fruit sugars.

The result is a truly unique, green spirit with a light, herbal flavor with hints of lime. Agwa makes a wonderful mixer for a variety of cocktails. Here are a couple to try. We particularly liked the flavor of Agwa in a Bloody Mary - very unique.

Machu Pichhu Bloody Mary

2-1/2 ounces Agwa de Boliva
2-1/2 to 3 ounces Bloody Mary mix or tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 dashes Tabasco Sauce
1 dash ground pepper
1 dash celery salt

Shake with ice and strain into ice-filled old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk.

The Green Angel

8 basil leaves
1/2 ounce Pallini Limoncello
1-1/2 ounces Martin Millers Gin
1 ounce Agwa de Bolivia
1 ounce pure apple juice
Vanilla sugar

Place 7 basil leaves in a chilled mixing glass, fill with crushed ice, drizzle in the limoncello and stir. Strain off the limoncello, then add the gin, Agwa and apple juice. Stir. Rim a martini glass with a lime wedge and sprinkle vanilla sugar on outside only. Strain the drink into the glass and serve.

Photos & recipes courtesy AGWA de Bolivia