NOT your mother’s ‘Chukku kaapi’ (Flames optional!)

(Entering this recipe for  Monica Bhide’s spicy cocktail contest..Hey if you try, you might… if you don’t you won’t!!)

If there is anything that could possibly earn me the wrath of the angels, enough to flambe the top of my head, this recipe would be it.
The inspiration came from out of all things… a ginger spiked coffee that is part of the standard prescribed diet for new moms in many South Indian communities. Ginger being a natural digestive aid, is prescribed for its healing powers during the first 40 days of recovery after delivery! (I’ve probably disgusted half the men reading this by now!).
Personally speaking, there is little to compare over a warm mug of this freshly prepared spiced coffee (called ‘Chukku kaapi’ (chukku: dried ginger, kaapi : coffee in Tamil) in the early hours of the day, especially when prepared with care by a loving mom! The beverage is sweetened with honey or jaggery, never refined sugar.

Back to the fun stuff…
This creamy cool & fiery cocktail is created using fresh ginger root extract, Kamora Coffee Liquer, Van Gogh double espresso vodka, espresso coffee (I used a traditional South Indian Filter drip to get a concentrated brew, which explains the 2 chambered steel appliance in the picture) & milk.
I gave up trying to get an picture with the flames, the pink birthday candle I used to light the 100 proof vodka wouldn’t exactly cooperate!  The drink tastes AWESOME  the instant the double espresso is added, although the flames add a carmelization to the sprinkled sugar.
The mocktail non-alcoholic version of this is coming up, give me a day or two to post it. -N.

Serves 2

• 30 milliliters Kahlua or Kamora coffee liquer
• 30 milliliters Canton domain de pays Ginger liqueur
• 30 milliliters Van gogh double espresso vodka
• 1.5 tablespoons Freshly squeezed Ginger extract
• 1/4 cup whole milk plus some extra for frothing
• Freshly brewed espresso as required

Optional:
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons 100 proof clear flavorless vodka (optional)

To make ginger extract, grate a 2 inch piece of fresh ginger root, preferably using a ginger grater or the fine side of the box grater.
Squeeze out the extract & allow to settle for about 5 minutes. Decant the liquid, discarding the white residue settled at the bottom.
Combine the ginger extract, Kamora, part of the ginger liqueur and milk .
Add espresso as per your preference. Taste to see if the sweetness is adequate. If not adjust using the remaining ginger liqueur. Allow to chill.
If the mix is not alcoholic enough for your personal taste, add a shot of double espresso vodka prior to serving. Pour into mini martini glasses.

Optional
Pour the 100 proof vodka (only if flaming the drink) into a metal coffee scoop (with a long handle) & keep ready.
Using a frother, whip the remaining milk. .
Spoon the froth over the cocktail (the froth will begin dissipating almost immediately due to the alcohol content) and immediately sprinkle the sugar.
Light the 100 proof alcohol & immediately pour over the froth.
The cocktail is ready to serve once the flames have extinguished.