Las Vegas Sun, March 2009: AGWA de Bolivia

Agwa de Bolivia coca herbal liqueur

While this stuff packs a unique taste, it didn't give me any buzz to write home (or even blog) about. Still, the stuff gets points just for being what it is.

Agwa de Bolivia contains coca leaf extracts and is sold as bottled green liquid (or in small vials of pale yellow, orally-ingestible powder).

That's right, I said coca; the same, totally illegal plant that is used to cultivate cocaine.

Upon hearing this I had one two-part question: Is it legal, and, if so, how?

Here's the scoop: The purveyors take Bolivian coca leaves, then fly them to Amersterdam for processing. There, the cocaine is extracted and alcohol and 36 herbs and botanicals are mixed in before the final product is shipped to the U.S.

Upon arrival in America, it is inspected by both the FDA and Homeland Security to ensure everything is both legal and safe for consumption.

While Agwa de Bolivia contains no cocaine whatsoever, the booze will still give you a buzz, with 30 percent, 60-proof alcohol content.

Las Vegas Sun, March 2009