Matthew Biancaniello’s Lost in Laos

Los Angeles barman Matthew Biancaniello is known for playing with his food—namely by turning it into cocktails. From his new book, Eat Your Drink, the Lost in Laos cocktail aims to highlight traditional flavors of Thai cooking, including coconut and makrut lime.

¾ oz. fresh lime juice
½ oz. agave syrup (1:1)
½ oz. green Chartreuse
¼ oz. fresh turmeric
6 makrut lime leaves
2 oz. gin
2 oz. fresh coconut milk
Tools: muddler, shaker, strainer
Glass: Collins
Garnish: Sprig of flowering Thai basil

In a shaker, muddle the lime juice, agave, Chartreuse, turmeric and 3 of the makrut lime leaves, then add the gin, coconut milk, and ice. Shake, then strain into a collins glass filled with ice. To garnish, slide the remaining 3 makrut lime leaves down the sides of the glass and add the sprig of Thai basil on top.

Reprinted with permission from Eat Your Drink: Culinary Cocktails by Matthew Biancaniello. Copyright 2016 by Matthew Biancaniello. Dey Street Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.