The 'Martha Christina Tiahahu'

The two key ingredients in an MCT are sopi - a distilled alcoholic drink made from aren palm trees - and nutmeg juice. By this I mean juice made from the fruit whose stone is the spice ’nutmeg’ that we’re all familiar with. I specify the use of red sopi here because, although harder to get hold of and harder to substitute, it has a distinct herbal character that gives this cocktail a much more rounded base than if you use the more common white sopi. Having said that, you may find the white sopi variant more refreshing so maybe give both versions a try and see which you prefer.

Serves 1

☑ TESTED

Ingredients

• 3 measures red sopi (75 ml)
• 3 measures nutmeg juice (75 ml)
• Juice of ½ key lime
• 1 tsp simple syrup
• Ice
• 1 whole dried mace for garnish

Prep

Add everything except the mace to a cocktail shaker and shake until well-chilled (~30 seconds).

Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Garnish with the mace. If your dried mace is complete and structurally sound, have it floating in the centre like a skeletal flower. If it’s fragmented or not so attractive, use it like you would a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.