2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia - 15

S

pring is here, and with the icy
cold of winter now behind us,
it's time to change up our cocktail
game. What better way to do so
than by adding a little kick to your
mixed drinks? After all, a little
spice is oh-so-nice and may have
some health benefits to boot.
With the exciting range of pepperinfused spirits now available to
us, splashing in a little heat to our
favorite tipples has never been
easier.
JALAPENO MARGARITA
A jalapeno margarita is the very
thing for warmer nights and the
first barbecues of the season.
Skip the hassle of tracking down
fresh jalapenos and use an infused
tequila instead. If you're a real
fiend for spice, you can replace the
classic salt rim with a chili salt rim,
or if you want to tame the flames
a tiny bit, do a sugar rim instead.
Simply run a wedge of lime around
the rim of your glass and dip.
▷ 1 ½ OZ. TANTEO JALAPENO
TEQUILA
▷ ½ OZ. JALAPENO-INFUSED
AGAVE NECTAR
▷ 1 OZ. LIME JUICE

In a cocktail shaker filled with
ice, add ingredients and shake
well. Strain into a glass with
fresh ice. Garnish with a lime
wheel.

ABSOLUT PEPPAR SALTY DOG
A simple cocktail full of
complexity, the Salty Dog offers
a delicious play of salt, sweet and
tart. If you find yourself craving
that little extra bite, try swapping

regular vodka for a pepper vodka.
Absolut Peppar is ideal for stepping
up to the task and whets the
appetite beautifully.
▷ 1 ½ OZ. ABSOLUT PEPPAR VODKA
▷ 4 ½ OZ. GRAPEFRUIT JUICE

your Paloma to the next level by
adding a touch of Ancho Reyes
liqueur. This chili liqueur is part
smoke, part spice, with a subtle
touch of sweet. It's your new
secret weapon for mixing up
masterful drinks.

Run a wedge of grapefruit
around the lip of your glass and
dip in salt. Pour ingredients
into a highball over ice and stir
gently. Garnish with a grapefruit
slice.
HABANERO PINEAPPLE MARTINI
Tough day in the office? Need
something to unwind when five
o'clock rolls around? A peppery
habanero martini will take the sting
out of the day. There are plenty of
piquant pepper-infused vodkas on
the market, but locally produced
Ghost Pepper Vodka (from
Chesapeake Bay Distillery) stands
a cut above the rest. Ghost peppers
are hands down one of the world's
hottest chilis-a whopping 855,000
units on the Scoville scale! It's hot,
hot, hot but not to be missed for
any dedicated pepper lover.
▷ 3 OZ. GHOST PEPPER VODKA
▷ ½ OZ. VERMOUTH
▷ ½ OZ. PINEAPPLE JUICE

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice,
add in vodka, pineapple juice, and
vermouth. Shake well, then strain
into a chilled martini glass. Garnish
with pineapple wedge, if desired.
ANCHO REYES PALOMA
The Paloma is a fantastic springtime
cocktail. Sweet grapefruit comes
together with savory tequila in
this all around refresher. Take

▷
▷
▷
▷
▷

1 ½ OZ. TEQUILA
½ OZ. AGAVE NECTAR
½ OZ. LIME JUICE
½ OZ. ANCHO REYES LIQUEUR
3 OZ. GRAPEFRUIT SODA

Mix together all of the ingredients
except for the grapefruit soda in
a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Strain into a cocktail glass with
fresh ice. Top up with grapefruit
soda and garnish with a slice of
grapefruit.

MO-HEAT-O
As its name suggests, Belle Isle
Honey Habanero Moonshine is a
thing of beauty. A touch of sweet
with a kiss of spice come together
in this spirit from the Virginiabased rising star of the spirits
world. Their website offers a
cornucopia of cocktail ideas. Chris
Tsui of Foo Dog, Richmond, has
re-imagined the classic mohito:

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2018 15
2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2018 Q2 Spirited Virginia
