Spicy Italian Margarita Recipes

SPICY ITALIAN MARGARITA

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the limoncello, tequila and chile paste, if using. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
• Dip the rim of a rocks glass in a small splash of limoncello on a plate. Coat the rim with salt. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Top with the seltzer and serve.
• Zest just the yellow portion of the lemon peels with a rasp grater, avoiding any of the bitter white pith. You should have about 1/4 cup zest. Transfer the zest to a jar or other airtight container. Add the vodka, seal and shake to combine. Set aside in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks.
• Strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. You may need to line the sieve with a coffee filter to catch all of the zest. Discard the zest (or dehydrate it and add to the salt for rimming the Spicy Italian Margarita).
• If making your own simple syrup, combine the sugar with 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
• Combine 3/4 cup of the simple syrup (or more, if desired) with the infused vodka. Store in an airtight bottle in the freezer for up to 6 months. Makes about 3 cups.

ITALIAN MARGARITA

Steps:

• Rim the glass: On a small plate, mix together the sugar and salt. Rub a lemon wedge around the top edge of your glass to moisten it, then dip the glass into the sugar-salt mixture so that it sticks, tapping all the way around.
• For one (or two) drinks: Fill a small cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, amaretto, lemon juice, and lime juice. Tightly close and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds (it's longer than you think). Strain into the rimmed glass. Enjoy immediately.
• For a pitcher: In the bottom of a pitcher, stir together the tequila, amaretto, lemon juice, and lime juice (do not add ice to the pitcher). Serve immediately or place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pitcher and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Shake just before serving.

SPICY MARGARITA

Steps:

• Put the Spicy Salt on a plate. Dip the rim of a chilled margarita glass into the mixture to coat the edge. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, Simple Syrup and orange liqueur. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready by the time the shaker mists up.) Strain the margarita into the prepared glass.

SPICY MEZCAL MARGARITA

Steps:

• Mix 1 tablespoon sugar with salt on a shallow, rimmed plate. Use lime wedge to wet rims of two 6- to 8-ounce glasses. Dip rims into sugar mixture.
• Combine jalapeno and 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar in a cocktail shaker and muddle until sugar is dissolved and jalapeno is juiced. Add orange juice, mezcal, and lime juice to shaker, then fill with ice. Cover and shake until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into glasses to serve.