We arrived to Silvia's house to find Yvertha sitting in front of a tub full of coconuts ready to start the process! Most of her family and friends had congregated in their small, two room cinder-block house to take part in the day-long undertaking.
The first step was harvesting the coconut from the hard brown shells so only the white tender meat remained. This step in the process took over an hour and had many people filtering in to trade shifts in shelling and peeling the coconut meat from the hard exterior.
After it was all said and done, beautiful washed coconut meat remained.
Three of Yvertha's brothers (Silvia's sons) commenced into shredding coconut with cheese graters. Only one minor casualty happened with a grated knuckle, but was noticed before the precious coconut meat could be tainted. Good thing I brought a first aid kit!
After all the coconut was grated, almost two gallons of Klerin was added to the meat to help extract the coconut milk and give major alcoholic KICK to the drink. 
A team effort was required to wring out the Klerin and Coconut Milk from the mixture.
Then lots and (headachy) lots of sugar was added by the sack full.
Stirring, stirring, stirring commenced to help the sugar dissolve into the mix.
Silvia helped me to keep a certain trouble maker occupied so curious hands couldn't sully the mix.
A case of Carnation condensed milk was adding and the stirring continued. 
A case of Neslie sweetened condensed milk was then added and still ever the stirring (happened in shifts by everyone in the room trading off when arms started to cramp or tire.)
Limes and another citrus fruit were grated to extract the essence, juice was squeezed in order to add special flavor to the drink.
Spices and lime juice were added at end.
Two bottles of medical Grade 95% alcohol were poured in (on top of the Klerin), the spices and lime juice were sprinkled on top, and then it was time to taste for perfection.
After all ingredients were added and the stirring had created an evenly creamy mixture, all hands were in for a drop of the liquid to be poured on the palm for a room-wide taste test. Children to grandparents took part in the sampling. "What's missing" Yvertha asked without ever tasting the mix for herself. "Its perfect" said her sister. "No, No, No" said Silvia, "it doesn't have any kick." Several of the men agreed. Good flavor, but no kick. More Klerin was purchased, poured into the mix and the re-taste commenced. Ah yes, kick was found. (in fact my nose hairs were burned clean off). Perfect. A room full of approval
Prior to bottling, the mix was strained to remove any hard bits of spices or pulp.
FINI!! After all was said and done, they filled two 5-gallon buckets full of the creamy mix. Bottling commenced and the work was done after 7 hours peeling, grating, sweating, stirring and talking together as a large family. Each of the workers got a little bottle of the creamy treat to take home. No wonder there were so many volunteers! The celebrations may commence.
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