5 Spicy Cocktails to Try at Home
Are you looking to add some heat and excitement to your home cocktail menu? Spicy cocktails are a fun way to spice things up! The contrast of spicy and sweet flavors makes for a bold, complex drinking experience.
Spicy Cocktail Ingredients & How to Use Them
The first step to making spicy cocktails is gathering the right mix of ingredients.
Here are some of the most essential items to have on hand
Hot Sauces
From mild to very hot, hot sauces add back-end heat and a touch of tangy flavor. Popular varieties like Tabasco, Cholula, and Sriracha work great in cocktails. Mix in a few dashes or up to 1-2 teaspoons for a spicy kick.
Fresh Chili Peppers
Fresh chilis like jalapeños, habaneros, and serranos make for an upfront spicy flavor when muddled, sliced, or added to syrups and mixes. Start with just 1/4 to 1/2 a pepper and adjust heat to your tastes.
Chili-Infused Liquors
Premade chili-infused spirits like vodka, tequila, and mezcal are convenient ways to add heat. Swap in 1-2 ounces of the infused liquor in place of the non-infused version in cocktail recipes.
Chili Powders
Chili powder blends based on dried chilis, herbs, and spices add a bold, Southwestern flair. Rim cocktail glasses with them or sprinkle on top of drinks. Chili lime seasoning also works great.
Spicy Syrups & Mixes
Mix up your own spicy simple syrups, sweet & sours, or bloody mary mixes with hot sauce, fresh chilis, and chili powder. Just 2-4 tablespoons can really turn up the heat.
Garnishes
Complete the spicy effect with garnishes like sliced jalapeños, chili peppers, or red pepper flakes. They look gorgeous and provide little hits of heat with each sip.
5 Deliciously Spicy Cocktail Recipes to Mix Up Tonight
Ready to put those spicy ingredients to work? Here are 5 of my favorite fiery cocktail recipes to make spicy cocktails at home:
1. Spicy Paloma
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1⁄2 ounce agave syrup
- 1-3 dashes hot sauce (Valentina or Tapatio work great)
- 1⁄4 jalapeño, thinly sliced
- Grapefruit slice and lime wedge for garnish
Rim half the glass with chili lime seasoning. Fill glass with ice and add tequila, juices, syrup, hot sauce, and jalapeño. Stir gently to mix. Garnish with grapefruit and lime.
2. Mexican Mule
- 2 ounces reposado tequila
- 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2-4 dashes Cholula hot sauce
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Lime wedge and chili pepper for garnish
In a mule mug or copper mug filled with ice, combine tequila, lime juice, and hot sauce. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with lime and chili.
3. Spicy Bloody Maria
- 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila
- 3 ounces tomato juice
- 2 ounces spicy bloody mary mix
- 1⁄4 ounce fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge, jalapeño slice, and chili salt rim for garnish
Rim half the glass in chili salt. Fill with ice and add tequila, juices, and bloody mary mix. Stir and garnish with lime and jalapeño.
4. Chili Pineapple Margarita
- 2 ounces reposado tequila
- 3⁄4 ounce triple sec
- 1 1⁄2 ounces fresh pineapple juice
- 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1⁄2 – 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- Pineapple wedge and chili powder for garnish
Rim half the glass with chili powder. Add tequila, triple sec, juices, and hot sauce to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with pineapple and more chili powder.
5. Spicy Whiskey Smash
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1⁄2 ounce simple syrup
- 1⁄4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 2-4 thin slices jalapeño
- 5-6 mint leaves
- Lemon wheel and mint sprig for garnish
In a cocktail shaker, muddle jalapeño and mint leaves. Add bourbon, syrup, and lemon juice. Fill with ice and shake until chilled. Double strain into an old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with mint and lemon.
With the right mix of spicy ingredients and high quality spirits, it’s easy to put together some amazing spicy cocktails at home. Play around with different combinations and recipes to find your new spicy favorites! Just remember to taste as you add heat so you get the ideal blend of sweet, tangy and spicy flavors. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spicy Cocktails
What types of liquor work best in spicy cocktails?
Spicy cocktails pair best with liquors that can stand up to the heat, like tequila, mezcal, rum, bourbon, rye, and vodka. Stay away from more delicate spirits like gin or cognac that could become overpowered.
What’s the best way to control the heat level?
Start with small amounts of sliced chilis, hot sauce, or infused liquors – you can always add more! Taste the cocktail once mixed to determine if you want to increase the spiciness.
How can I balance the heat with sweetness?
Add citrus juice, syrups, or liqueurs to balance out and complement the spice. Fruity flavors like pineapple, mango, grapefruit and lime work really well in spicy drinks.
Should I shake or stir spicy cocktails?
It depends on the recipe – shaken drinks will be more diluted. Stirring maintains the purity of the liquors and allows you to accentuate the spicy flavors. Know your ingredients and tailor the mixing method accordingly.
What’s the best glassware to serve spicy cocktails in?
Chilled old fashioned or rocks glasses are great for sipping spicy cocktails and keep them cold. Mule mugs and copper mugs also conduct temperature well and look fun!
What are good snacks to pair with spicy cocktails?
Cooling foods like guacamole, ceviche, and fresh vegetables balance out spicy cocktails nicely. Spicy bar nuts, chips and salsa, and tacos are also excellent companions.
