Summer invites people to sit back, relax, and raise a glass to quench their thirst. The summer spritz and the spicy margarita have had their moment and now it is time to add a little zip to that chilled beverage. Spicy wine is the hot beverage. Ready to bring the chill with a side of heat?
A crisp white wine or a floral rose is a popular choice during warmer months. Not only does the flavor feel refreshing on a sunny day, the citrus notes with a touch of fruity flare pair well with popular summer foods. From a simple pasta salad to a spicy shrimp skewer, that glass of sauvignon blanc or rose is always a satisfying choice.
This summer spicy wine has taken over the glass. The idea comes in many forms, but the simplest concept is adding some frozen jalapeno slices into a chilled wine.
According to Instacart, orders of sauvignon blanc combined with jalapeno peppers increased by 23% from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, rose orders with jalapeno peppers increased by 26% during the same period.
While these shopping statistics support the concept, there are many ways to adopt the beverage trend. Yes, people are dropping frozen jalapenos into the glass. The biggest takeaway from this beverage method is the inconsistency.
Just like there is one hot shishito pepper on every plate, not all jalapenos are equally as spicy. From a pepper's ripeness to the seeds, there is no way to predict how spicy that first sip will be. Additionally, as the jalapenos steep in the wine, the flavor will intensify. That last drop could be more than just a little tingle on the tongue.
For drinkers who want to adopt this trend with a little more consistency, it is time to ditch the jalapenos or other peppers for something a little more measurable. For example, Mike’s Hot Honey is a condiment staple. Using a spoonful in the wine, similar to how it is used in a cocktail, would be a great way to bring the heat in a controllable way.
If that swicy flavor is too much to handle, evolve the flavor into the food paired with the wine. For example, 14 Hands and Mike’s Hot Honey have various recipe combinations that celebrate this trend in an approachable way. From a barbecue sauce infusion to a wine sauce for mushrooms, there are plenty of ways to bring the heat with a splash of culinary creativity.
Will the spicy wine trend last the summer?
While social media trends can fizzle before some people jump on the bandwagon, there are plenty of ways to take this beverage flavor trend in a new direction. For example, instead of just floating frozen jalapenos in a sauvignon blanc or rose, consider a wine cocktail instead.
For example, a Walt Disney World Resort’s California Grill offered its take on the beverage trend. The spicy peach and sauvignon blanc cocktail was a lovely aperitif to a multi-course meal. The peach flavor captures a juicy summer vibe while the hint of spice awakened the palate for the progressive meal’s flavors.
The key with this type of wine cocktail is choosing the wine. For example, this idea works best when the wine is not overly sweet. The fruit component brings the sweetness, the wine offers a hint of bright acidic notes, and the spice brings it all together.
Another way to capture the swicy wine trend is to amplify the flavors in a sangria. While many people appreciate that dry, fruity Spanish libation, a dash of heat can help cut through rich food flavors. Whether it is a plate of Manchego cheese or some grilled octopus, there are many pairings to explore.
Whether it is a red or a white sangria, a smoky chipotle note with the apples, pears, or even citrus would make the cocktail more rounded. To achieve this flavor consider allowing a dried chipotle pepper rehydrate in the sangria pitcher. It would not be as bold as frozen jalapeno slices, but it works. Another option would be to freeze jalapeno slices in ice cubes to all the flavor to infuse over time.
This summer, the wine glass is waiting to be filled with big, bold flavors. Ready to experiment with that next pour?
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