Lime Leaf Fix Recipe

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer (do not boil vigorously).

Add the crushed kaffir leaves to the simmering syrup, reduce heat to low, and gently simmer for 5 minutes to infuse aroma and oils.

Remove the pan from heat and let the leaves steep in the syrup for 20–30 minutes, depending on how pronounced you want the leaf flavor.

Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container, pressing gently on the leaves to extract flavor. Discard leaves. Cool syrup to room temperature before using. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.

Prepare glass

Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling with ice water; set aside while you mix the cocktail.

Dry shake (if using egg white)

If using egg white: add 0.5 oz egg white, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.75 oz kaffir leaf simple syrup, 2 oz white rum, and 0.25 oz green Chartreuse into a cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds to emulsify and build froth.

Wet shake

Add 6 ice cubes to the shaker (or remove if you already added ice). Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled and slightly frosted.

Discard ice water from the chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh sieve into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and any leaf bits.

Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters on top of the foam (if present). Using a toothpick, gently swirl each dash for a simple decorative pattern, or leave as dots.

Garnish with one fresh kaffir (lime) leaf placed on the foam or floated on the drink and a lime wheel on the rim. Serve immediately.