Bring the heat to Valentine’s Day with spicy cocktails

With a little heat, spicy cocktails can shake up Valentine’s Day celebrations. While no one wants to completely overwhelm a palate, a little boost in flavor can be that special spark to an evening. Are you ready to fan the flame?

Valentine’s Day cocktails often have a theme. From being inspired by romantic comedies to taking on a rosy hue, even the classic cocktails have embraced the romantic side. Sometimes, just a little flavor twist can make a difference.

Even if spicy food isn’t your first choice, spicy cocktails can help set the mood for a romantic evening. Spices, like cayenne pepper and others, have capsaicin. Many people believe that it is an aphrodisiac. Maybe that little burn and heat from the flavor makes other temperatures rise.

What spicy cocktails are you shaking up for Valentine’s Day?

While some people might want to play it safe for Valentine’s Day, this year could be the time to step outside of the comfort zone. If you want a bold cocktail, this offering featuring Bushwick Kitchen Curry Sriracha is a must try.

Here’s how to make it Curry Sriracha Cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2.0 oz gin
• .50 oz Lime juice
• .75 oz simple syrup
• 1 bar spoon Buschwick Kitchen curry sriracha
• 4 slices red pepper (muddled)

Method:

• Muddle red pepper, add Ingredients and dry shake, add ice and shake again. Double strain into coupe/martini glass and garnish with a red pepper wheel and Rosemary sprig

If you shake up this cocktail, it is really important to dry shake the ingredients. The curry sriracha needs to fully incorporate into the other ingredients.

While you can pick your favorite gin, consider brands with that are juniper forward. For example, Beefeater or Tanquerary would be a nice choice.

If you are feeling a little wanderlust, a margarita could transport you to beautiful, sandy beach. While just one sip may not have you feeling the beach breezes in the air, the flavor are reminiscent of that warmth from the sun.

Here’s how to make a Grapefruit and Jalapeño Margarita.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado
• 1 oz. of freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz. agave nectar
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 oz. orange liqueur
• 3 fresh jalapeño slices

Preparation:

• Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Salt your rim if desired, shake, and pour over ice. You can add the jalapeño into the mixer and mix for a stronger kick, or add to the drink after and let sit for a minute before drinking. Enjoy!

If you are a little spice adverse, make sure that remove the seeds from the jalapeños. It will make it less spicy.

Are spicy cocktails part of your love language?

While spicy cocktails are often associated with peppers, there are other ingredients that can bring the heat. In this cocktail, Recuerdo Mezcal Besito, that little kiss of heat comes from the cinnamon.

Although most people think of cinnamon in regards to sweet treats, the cinnamon does have spicy qualities. Maybe that little kiss can turn into a burning love affair.

Recuerdo Mezcal Besito

Ingredients:

• 1.5oz Recuerdo Mezcal Joven
• 1oz pomegranate Juice
• .5oz cinnamon syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1-2 sticks cinnamon – break apart the cinnamon sticks and heat alongside the water and sugar to a gentle boil and reduce to a simmer for 1-2 minutes while stirring. Pull off the heat and allow to sit 30-60 minutes to infuse the cinnamon. Cool and strain the cinnamon.)
• prosecco
• pomegranate grains
• peppermint leaf

Instructions:

• Shake the Recuerdo Mezcal, pomegranate juice and cinnamon syrup over ice, strain into a chilled coupe glass, top with chilled prosecco, and garnish with the pomegranate grains and a peppermint leaf.

Although bitters are a common cocktail ingredient, it isn’t always considered a spicy element. Still, those nuanced flavors really add to a cocktail. It could be that little boost to let the flame start to glow.

Valenthyme

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Pink Gin
• 2 oz. Pure Leaf Mango Hibiscus Herbal Tea
• ¼ oz. Simple Syrup
• ½ oz. Lemon Juice
• 6 dashes Cranberry Bitters
• 3 dashes Orange Bitters
• ¾ oz. Cranberry Juice

Method:

Shake all ingredients over ice and serve in a coupe. Garnish with Thyme sprig.

These spicy cocktails are a small sampling of Valentine’s Day cocktails that could make your special someone’s heart go aflutter. No matter which libation is your love language, make sure that you raise a glass to the important people in your life.

How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? Will a cocktail be involved?