The Coconut Situation Recipe

Toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 4–6 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Place the toasted shredded coconut (and toasted coconut chips if using) in a clean, wide-mouth jar. Pour 12 oz Bacardi white rum over the coconut, making sure coconut is fully submerged. Seal the jar.

Let infuse at room temperature for 24–48 hours, tasting at 12-hour intervals to reach desired coconut intensity. For a pronounced coconut note, 48 hours is typical. Do not exceed 72 hours to avoid vegetal off-notes.

Strain the infused rum through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a clean bottle. Discard solids and label bottle. Chill before use.

Combine 0.5 cup demerara sugar and 0.5 cup water in a small saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape seeds into the saucepan and add the pod (or add 1 tsp vanilla extract later).

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 2–3 minutes to slightly thicken. Remove from heat and let cool with the vanilla pod steeping for 15–20 minutes (or stir in vanilla extract once cooled).

Strain out vanilla pod, transfer syrup to a clean bottle, and refrigerate. Syrup will keep ~2 weeks refrigerated.

Chill glass

Place an old-fashioned glass in the freezer or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Add 2 oz house-infused coconut rum, 0.5 oz allspice dram, 0.5 oz vanilla demerara syrup, and 3 dashes orange bitters to a mixing glass.

Fill the mixing glass with large cubed ice and stir gently for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted (target ~20–25% dilution by weight). Stirring brings out the silky, warm character.

Discard ice from the chilled old-fashioned glass (if used). Place a single large ice cube in the glass.

Strain the mixed cocktail over the large ice cube using a julep or Hawthorne strainer to remove small shards.

Add 3 additional dashes of orange bitters on the surface if you prefer a brighter citrus lift (optional).

Finish with a light grating of fresh nutmeg over the top (to taste) to accentuate the warm spice and coconut aromatics.

Serve immediately.