Spice up your life! Make an impression this summer with spicy mixers
Think beyond your Baco, Aperol Spritz or gin and tonic this summer. Making mixed drinks at home is fun, but it could stand to be a little more exciting. That’s why I asked bartender Rosa from cocktail bar Kevin Bacon about the hottest drinks to make at home. Spice it up with these spicy mixers:
1. Spicy Mule
“A mixer can be called a mule when the spirit is mixed with ginger ale or ginger beer and some citrus juice. This spicy mule is similar to a dark & stormy, but because of the addition of the spicy syrup, you’d call it a spicy mule instead.”
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Diplomatico rum (also delicious as a sipping spirit, by the way)
- 30 ml lime juice
- 20 ml chili syrup
- Ginger beer, to top up
Ingredients for the chili syrup:
- 100 grams sugar
- 100 ml water
- 1 chili pepper (you can use more, depending on your spice preference)
Making the chili syrup:
“Heat the water and sugar until you have a clear syrup. Add the sliced chili peppers (seeds and all) and let the mixture cool. Once cooled, strain it so you’re left with a smooth syrup.
The great thing about mixers? Anyone can make them! You don’t have to shake anything. Take a glass filled with ice and add the syrup, rum and lime juice. Top up the drink with ginger beer and garnish your glass with a slice of lime and a chili pepper.”
2. Spicy Arancello Tonic
“This mixer is definitely going on the menu at Kevin Bacon. I’m still perfecting our own Arancello, but this mix is also delicious when made with a bottle of Arancello. And super easy.”
Ingredients:
- 50 ml arancello
- Chili pepper
- Tonic
Method:
“Arancello is limoncello’s sister. It’s made with oranges instead of lemons and the drink is packed with flavor. You don’t need much else. Take a beautiful glass filled with ice and add the arancello and sliced chili pepper. Top up with tonic and garnish with a whole chili.”
Even a child could do it. Cheers!
3. Spicy Paloma
“Paloma is hot hot hot. This drink, with tequila and grapefruit juice as its two main ingredients, is becoming hugely popular. And guess what: it’s wonderfully easy to make spicy! Tequila and spice are a match made in hot heaven.”
Ingredients:
- 50 ml jalapeño-infused Arette tequila
- 20 ml lime juice
- 10 ml agave syrup
- 50 ml grapefruit juice
- Spa Rood, to top up
Method:
“Infusing it yourself sounds intimidating, but it really isn’t! Slice a jalapeño pepper and let it steep in the tequila, including all the seeds, for an hour (you can of course leave it longer—the longer, the spicier).
Strain the infused tequila and pour it into a glass filled with ice. Add the lime juice, agave syrup and grapefruit juice. Top it up with some Spa Rood and don’t forget to give everything a quick stir. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.”
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