If you are into cocktails and you are not following @bitterbotwin on Instagram you are missing out on some phenomenal stuff. I hate to copycat, but his knowledge of drinks and presentation just makes you want to try them and sometimes, I do. So, in a blatant rip-off, I mean homage to what Joe is doing, I present the Army & Navy. 

This is another one where Laura did the heavy lifting by fat washing the gin we are gonna use. I took that as a pretty good sign that she wanted to try this one. So, if you want to have this drink on a Monday, start on Saturday afternoon and add 1 part of melted coconut oil to 2 parts of gin, we used Corsair Artisan Distillery because it is awesome and we like to buy local. Shake well and let sit overnight. At some point during Douglas Adams “long dark tea time of the soul” give it another shake and pop it into the freezer. By Monday afternoon the fat from the coconut oil should have separated and frozen into a nice cap on top of the gin. Pop that cap off and strain your newly coconut oil fat washed gin into a container. 

With that bit of prep out of the way, you are ready to grab your tins and get started. Pop in 2 ounces of that amazing gin, 3/4 of an ounce of orgeat and 3/4 ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice, 2 drops of 18-21 Prohibition Aromatic bitters and you are ready to shake over ice. I shake this one too hard for too long, don’t know why, I’m just funny that way. The coconut aroma is amazing when you crack your tins and double strain into a chilled coupe. I guess this a sort of shallow coupe, my grandma loaned it to me and I loved the shape, if you know what this is leave a comment to educate us all. Anyway, garnish with a lemon peel, after expressing it over the drink, of course. 

This drink is so good. I expected that, but it was honestly better than I had imagined. Kind of like a complex coconut lemonade, cool, refreshing, just an awesome drink all the way around. This one is going into regular rotation at Ye Olde Uncle Monkey’s Tavern. Big thanks to Joe for the recipe, check his amazing cocktail stuff out and be sure to swing by Corsair when they reopen to enjoy one of his creations in person. I’d say more, but Laura is already calling for another round. Stay safe, stay hydrated and stay sane, my friends.