Joel McHale mixes a saucy cocktail with an unlikely ingredient
As the Q Mixers Chief Happy Hour Officer, Joel McHale knows about a great cocktail. More importantly, he has a few tips and tricks that can turn a classic cocktail into a saucy cocktail. Isn’t it time to upgrade that summer beverage with this unlikely ingredient?
A flavorful cocktail starts with the right ingredients. Over the years, people have learned that a spectacular mixer ensures that each sip is stellar. That concept has made Q Mixers the preferred choice for both mixologists and home cocktail enthusiasts.
Previously, Joel McHale has shared his cocktail recipes using Q Mixers. Given that McHale knows his way around a smoker and is ready to have a spirited time with friends and family, he and Q Mixers hosted a pre-holiday happy hour event.
With the help of Esther Choi, the pair whipped up some tasty tacos and two summer cocktails that featured an unlikely ingredient. According to McHale, barbecue sauce isn’t just a condiment. It is the secret to a saucy cocktail.
During the cocktail hour, McHale shared how he used Stubb’s Barbecue Sauce in both his Bloody Mary and Honey, I Need A Margarita. While many people could see the barbecue sauce addition in the Bloody Mary, some were skeptical about the margarita inclusion. Then, they tried it.
Adding a bar spoonful of the barbecue sauce to the margarita added a level of tanginess. While some people add a splash of beer for effervescence, the smoky, spicy notes of the barbecue sauce bring out a hint of sweetness. Yes, this unlikely ingredient will change your margarita forever.
Here’s how to make Joel McHale’s saucy cocktail, Honey, I Need a Margarita.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila
- 5 oz Q Spectacular Margarita Mix
- ½ oz Stubbs Sweet Honey & Spice Barbecue Sauce
- ½ oz Lime Juice
- 1 Lime wedge
- Tajin for the rim
Method:
- Moisten the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and add a Tajin rim. Add the barbecue sauce, tequila and lime juice to the glass and stir vigorously to dissolve. Add ice and pour in the Q Spectacular Margarita Mix and gently stir.
The key to this cocktail is to ensure that the barbecue sauce is dissolved. With its thicker consistency, it is best to ensure that all the ingredients are incorporated.
Also, while this saucy cocktail suggests tequila, you could swap a mezcal for a smokier flavor. Or, even consider a spicy tequila for those drinkers who prefer a little more heat.
Lastly, if a Bloody Mary is the preferred cocktail, barbecue sauce can boost that flavor, too. Here’s how to make McHale’s Saucy Mary.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Vodka
- 6 oz Q Spectacular Bloody Mary Mix
- ½ oz Stubbs Spicy Barbecue Sauce
- ½ oz Lemon Juice
- Garnish Peppered beef jerky
- Barbecue Rub for the rim
Method:
- Build the drink in a mixing glass. Stir gently and strain into an ice filled pint glass rimmed with the barbecue rub.
While this recipe calls for a simple garnish, it can be easily upgraded. Why not enjoy a beef stick straw for a skewer of Wisconsin cheese curds. Sometimes a Bloody Mary is cocktail and an appetizer.
Ready to sip on a saucy cocktail? How do you enjoy Q Mixers and your favorite spirits?