JessZilla with Director Emily Sheskin and Producer Ben Kainz

I don’t get sent documentaries very often, but recently I was sent two, one was JessZilla and it is releasing Friday, June 27th, so be sure to check it out. JessZilla is about Jesselyn Silva, a 15-year-old national boxing champion whose Olympic dreams are cut short when she gets a cancer diagnosis. It will be available on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube Movies, and Vimeo.

I usually post drinking rules because it’s part of the podcast, and while I do discuss them in the interview with Emily and Ben, I am choosing not to post them on here in the show notes. I don’t feel like it’s a film you will want to drink during, due to the nature of the documentary and that Jesselyn did pass away on August 13, 2024. Honor Jesselyn in the best way you see fit, you can donate to the childhood cancer fund in here name (https://curechildhoodcancer.org/about-cure/named-funds/jesszilla-fund/), watch and share the movie with others, or however you’d like to.

When I finished this documentary I emailed the PR guy I had been in contact with back and said, “That was such an incredible and inspiring documentary. I hope that many people will watch this when it’s released.” So please be sure to check it out, it is sad, but I think everyone will be glad they watched it.

Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita (butternutbakeryblog.com):

I picked this drink because of the purple flower used for garnish, since purple was her favorite color, and due to the fact that Jesselyn was passionate about her family and boxing, not to mention that Ben said it needed to be something that gave a punch. 

Ingredients 

• 2 jalapeño slices (about 1/8” thick)
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/4 oz agave nectar
• 1 1/2 oz blanco tequila (or mezcal if you want a smokey flavor), for a mocktail version use a zero proof option or a citrus seltzer
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur, or use orange juice for the mocktail version
• 2 oz passion fruit puree
• Tajin for the rim

Directions

1. Add the jalapeño slices, lime juice, and agave to a shaker. Muddle the jalapeños to release more flavor.
2. Add the remaining ingredients along with ice and shake for about 30 seconds.
3. Use lime wedge to line the rim of a cocktail glass. Then place the glass upside down in some tajin to coat the rim. Fill with ice.
4. Strain the cocktail into the glass and garnish with a purple hibiscus or another purple flower of your choosing. Enjoy.

As always, drink responsibly and with others. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to the podcast. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @Line_Drunk.