MASTER FIERY FLAVOURS & CRAFT SENSATIONAL SPICY COCKTAILS

In the world of mixology, trends come and go, but one flavour that’s been igniting taste buds and gaining popularity in recent years is spice – and what’s more – it’s showing no sign of slowing down.

As bar owner and manager of several renowned bars in Mexico, I see a regular stream of requests come through for spicy cocktails. These requests don’t come without their challenges; you have to be very careful with how and when to use spice. However, when you get the balance right, the result is magnificent.

From key benefits to basic dos and don’ts, learn how to create sensational spicy cocktails, with exciting recipes to try making in your own venue!

FIVE REASONS FOR USING SPICE IN COCKTAILS

1. Spicy drinks are on trend right now and could help differentiate your cocktail menu from competitors’.
2. Spicy drinks can add a dynamic element to cocktails, evoking a sense of adventure, attracting customers who are seeking new and exciting flavour experiences.
3. Spice stimulates the senses, providing a unique and memorable experience for your customers.
4. The inclusion of spice can enhance the overall flavour profile of a cocktail, adding complexity and depth.
5. Adding a bit of chilli to your serve can help counteract sweetness or tartness in a cocktail, creating a beautifully balanced drink.

HOW TO MAKE A COCKTAIL SPICY

There are several ways you can add spice to cocktails including:

1. Use spice-infused syrups: Creating spice-infused syrups is a fantastic way to incorporate heat into your cocktails. You can do this by simmering spices in a simple syrup to extract their flavours, straining out the solids, and using the resulting syrup.


2. Try muddling spices: Muddling spices directly in a mixing glass or shaker can release their essential oils and flavours. This technique works well for ingredients like jalapeños, which lend their distinct heat and aroma to the drink.


3. Rim your glasses with spice: Up your presentation game by rimming glasses with spices such as chipotle salt. Not only does this add an extra kick, but it enhances the visual appeal of the cocktail.


4. Try using a rotovap: A rotovap (rotary evaporator) is a device that can be used to filter out strong or unwanted flavours from fruits or vegetables. If you’re lucky enough to have one, you can extract amazing floral notes that are sometimes hidden in chillies because their heat usually overpowers them.

The beauty of spice is that it’s vast and diverse, offering endless opportunities to create exciting and original drinks. Ready to start experimenting?

Here are a few classic cocktails with a spicy twist to get you started:

SPICY COCKTAIL RECIPES

BLOODY HOLLY CHIPOTLY

This cocktail is a perfect mix between a Bloody Mary and a Sangrita. The chipotle sweet and sour mix gives it a smoother and smokier finish.

INGREDIENTS

• 45ml Ketel One Vodka
• 15ml Port
• 120ml Tomato juice
• 15ml Lemon juice
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• Pepper to taste
• Sea salt to taste
• 15ml Chipotle sweet & sour mix*
• Lemon slice (garnish)
• Pickles (garnish)
• 1 Highball glass

METHOD

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker.
2. Throw the cocktail four times.
3. Serve in a highball glass.

*Chipotle sweet & sour mix

1. Heat 150ml water, 75g chipotle chilli, 1g cloves and 1g cinnamon for 20 minutes.
2. Add 150g brown sugar (or piloncillo) and stir until dissolved.
3. Chill and bottle.

Alcohol content: 16.59g

MARGARITA AL PASTOR

Salty, tangy and subtly spicy, this serve offers guests a unique twist on the original Margarita. The serrano pepper adds a fun and noticeable layer of flavour in the aftertaste.

INGREDIENTS

• 25ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila
• 25ml Triple Sec
• 50ml Taco mix*
• 25ml Lime juice
• 250ml Agave syrup
• Pineapple triangle (Garnish)
• Coriander salt to rim
• 1 Old fashioned glass

*Taco Mix (Yield: 300ml or 5 serves)

1. Blend together 250ml pineapple juice, 25g fresh coriander, 15g fresh mint, 15g fresh basil, and 150ml serrano agave*.
2. Fine strain and bottle it.

*Serrano agave (Yield: 200ml or 5 serves)

1. Chop the 15g of serrano chilli (use everything).
2. Add the chilli, 50g of water and 250ml agave syrup to a pan.
3. Heat the ingredients for 25 minutes.
4. Strain and let it cool, then use it for the taco mix.

METHOD

1. Add all the ingredients in a shaker.
2. Add ice and shake.
3. Serve over a rimmed old fashioned glass.

Alcohol content: 15.80g

Or, why not go alcohol-free with this non-alcoholic, Seedlip Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita?

BIANCA LIMA’S CLASSIC COCKTAILS WITH A SPICY TWIST

Watch as World Class winner Bianca Lima of Handshake Bar in Mexico City created this spectacular video to show us how she spices up her favourite classic cocktails.

SPICY PUNCH RECIPE:

Catering for a crowd of spice lovers? Batching cocktails is a great way to save time and ensure consistency in your serves. Try this Oregano Punch recipe:

OREGANO PUNCH

A fiery yet fresh mezcal-based punch, this recipe is perfect for a group booking. The role of the poblano pepper has a special quality, because when filtered with milk, it softens and nuances, so the spice is velvety.

INGREDIENTS (YEILD 990ML/8.25 SERVINGS)

• 300ml Mezcal Unión
• 300ml Poblano pepper liqueur
• 225ml Lime juice
• 300ml Black tea*
• 150ml Simple syrup
• 120ml Pineapple juice
• 270ml Oregano milk*
• Mint sprig (Garnish)
• 8 Mini old-fashioned glasses

Serving per glass: 120ml

*Black Tea

1. Heat 100ml water, 90 degrees.
2. Add black tea and infuse for 5 minutes.
3. Remove and strain.

*Oregano Milk

1. Heat 300ml milk at 90 degrees.
2. Add 10g dried oregano and infuse for 15 minutes.
3. Remove and strain.

METHOD

1. Mix all ingredients together and let it rest overnight.
2. Strain using coffee filter or superbag.

Alcohol content (per serve): 11.49g

SPICY COCKTAIL DOS:

• Experiment with different spice levels: Start by infusing a small amount of spice into your cocktail and gradually increase the quantity. It can take a while to get the level of spice right! For example, for the Margarita al Pastor, we originally used crushed serrano chili, but it was just a little too much.

• Consider customer preferences: Always ask for the customer’s spice preference and customize the level of heat. While some guests may enjoy a fiery cocktail, others may prefer it mild. We learnt this the hard way!

• Combine flavours thoughtfully: Experiment with complementary ingredients that can accentuate the spice. Citrus fruits, flowers and herbs like cilantro or mint, and sweet elements like honey or agave nectar can help balance and enhance the spice experience. Food pairing inspiration can be really helpful for helping you identify great combinations.

• Standardise your cocktails: Once you get the right flavour, make a note of the steps you took to achieve it so that you can aim to reach the same outcome every time for this particular type of cocktail. This is key because even with a recipe, the level of spice in the same variety can change from one chili to the next.

SPICY COCKTAIL DON'TS:

• Avoid overpowering the drink: While spice can add excitement, be cautious not to overpower the other flavours in the cocktail. Achieving balance in a cocktail is key. You want to create a harmonious blend of flavours.

• Don't limit yourself: Explore lesser-known spices and experiment with unconventional combinations to create unique and memorable drinks. Be innovative and push the boundaries of what's expected.

FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The popularity of spicy cocktails is showing no sign of slowing down so now’s a great time to add a bit of heat to your menu.

• Experiment with complementary ingredients that can accentuate the spice. Citrus fruits, flowers and herbs like cilantro or mint, and sweet elements like honey or agave nectar can help balance and enhance the spice experience.

• Standardise your cocktails. Once you get the right flavour, make a note of this and aim to achieve the same outcome every time for this particular type of cocktail.

• Avoid overpowering the drink. While spice can add excitement, be cautious not to overpower the other flavours in the cocktail. Achieving balance in a cocktail is key.

• Don't limit yourself. Experiment with unconventional combinations to create unique and memorable drinks. Be innovative and push the boundaries of what's expected.

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