Fresh jalapeños and a chili liqueur mix in with a new, smooth tequila in these spicy cocktails. These simple recipes need to be part of your summer repertoire.
I met Jonathan Lind at an event downtown where he was pouring a newly launched tequila. Viva, turns out, was one of the smoothest tequilas I have ever tasted… and that’s saying a lot! I am a huge fan of specialty tequilas, and have done many a tasting. (See another tasting.)
With this smooth spirit in mind, Jonathan created a couple of cocktails with a bit of a spicy twist. I caught up with him at the Freehand Hotel, where he tends bar. The George Washington Bar is handsomely adorned and was actually the library when the hotel first opened in 1927. The bar itself dates back to that time frame as well, so the room emits a feeling of history, like it’s been around for a long time. The crown molding and woodwork in the room is original and quite handsome. This new venue is attracting a crowd of cocktail aficianados to its comfy space.
Enjoy these two cocktails, and make sure to serve them to your guests who enjoy a bit of a kick in their libation.
SPICY MARGARITA
Spicy Margaritas are the hottest (pun intended) cocktail in town, and they’re a pretty simple DIY for the home mixologist. Below are two recipes for similar style drinks, choose your favorite!
2 oz Viva Tequila, Joven works best
.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
.5 oz Cointreau or other Orange Liqueur
.5 oz Ancho Reyes Verde Chili Liqueur
.25 oz Simple Syrup
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin, shake, strain, and pour into a rocks glass filled with ice.
SPICY MARGARITA 2
2 oz Viva Tequila
.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz Cointreau
.25 oz Simple Syrup
3 or 4 slices of jalapeno. (The more seeds, the spicier the drink.)
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin, shake, double strain through a fine mesh strainer, and pour into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Both cocktails can also be served in a coupe, with or without a salt rim. Garnish as you see fit, though a fool-proof classic garnish is a lime wedge.
—Jonathan Lind
And if you like tequila as much as I do, check out my other posts for brands and cocktail ideas.
Host an Exotic Tequila Tasting, Featuring Easy Prickly Pear Margaritas
