AGWA de Bolivia Herbal Liqueur
Agwa de Bolivia (usually shortened to AGWA) is a herbal liqueur made with Bolivian coca leaves and 37 other natural herbs and botanicals including green tea, ginseng, and guarana, distilled and produced in Amsterdam by BABCO Europe Limited.
The coca leaf content of the drink, like that in Coca-Cola, has the cocaine alkaloids removed during production, and does not contain the drug.
The leaves used for the production of AGWA are picked at 2000 metres above sea level in the Andes. The leaves are then shipped under armed guard to Amsterdam, where they are distilled to a strength of 78-88% alc./vol. and 36 other botanical elements are added.
It mixes with just about everything! We tried a bottle and some various concoctions.
The Cocarita (AGWA’s twist on the Margarita):
Ingredients: 2oz Frozen AGWA, 1oz Tequila, Juice of 1-2 fresh limes.
Method: Shake AGWA, Tequila & Lime Juice with ice. Strain into a salt-frosted
Margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
The AGWA Fresca:(pictured)
Method: A serving of Frozen AGWA poured over ice and some lime wheels in a long
glass, and topped with club soda.
The Bolivian Rhapsody
Ingredients: 1.5oz AGWA, ½ fresh lime, 1 tsp. raspberry jam, 1 tsp. vanilla sugar, 1 dash
cardamom bitters, 1 tsp. chocolate syrup
Method: Muddle lime, sugar, jam, and syrup; top with crushed ice in Collins glass. Add
AGWA and bitters and stir. Garnish: lime zest
The Rainforest Caipirinha
Ingredients: AGWA, Lime wedges, Brown sugar, Ice, Cane swizzle stick
Method: Muddle AGWA, lime wedges, brown sugar together, mix with crushed ice.
Garnish with a cane swizzle stick.
Want to try a signature AGWA cocktail that works all year round? You can never
go wrong with a classic recipe, the Bolivian Mojito, AGWA’s twist on the traditional
drink, or the lime ritual, known as “Kryptonice.”
Bolivian Mojito:
Ingredients: 1.5oz Frozen AGWA, 12 mint leaves, 2-3 lime wedges, 2 tsp. sugar, 7oz club
soda, splash of your favorite rum.
Method: Gently crush the mint leaves in a long glass. Squeeze the limes over the crushed
mint, and add the sugar and crushed ice. Add the AGWA, your favorite rum, and club
soda and stir well. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge and fresh mint leaves.
The AGWA shot, also known as “Kryptonice”, is also a favorite. Simply pour frozen
AGWA in a shot glass and serve with a lime wedge!
Go to AGWABuzz for more info!
