Some have accused me of making everything spicy… and you know what? They’re not wrong! I love adding a little heat to just about everything, especially my cocktails. While I enjoy a classic Paloma, I always wish for an extra little kick and decided to do just that for a homemade version. Jalapeño infused tequila, hot honey and Tajin for the rim, and a little splash of ginger beer for an extra crisp finish. After making one almost every night for a week it made me wish I had a grapefruit tree (and a tequila tree!) so that I could enjoy these year round!
Jalapeño Infused Tequila:
1 cup silver tequila
Half of a jalapeño pepper
Add tequila and pepper half to a canning jar. Seal, shake, and set it in a dark place to infuse for 1 to 2 days. Taste test after a day to make sure it’s not too spicy for your liking. If you’re in a time crunch and want to make your cocktail ASAP I have another method for you! Add your pepper half to the jar and muddle the heck out of it to help release the capsaicin (the oil in the pepper that makes it spicy). Pour in your tequila, stir, and set it in the windowsill for 30 minutes to an hour. When you’re ready to use, strain the tequila into another jar and discard the pepper.
For rim:
1/4 tsp honey (use hot honey for an extra spicy kick)
2 tsp Tajin (you could also do a mix of salt and spicy chili powder)
Jalapeño Infused Paloma:
(makes 1 cocktail)
1.5oz jalapeño infused tequila
1/4 cup grapefruit juice (half a grapefruit)
1oz lime juice (half a lime)
1 tsp honey or agave
2oz ginger beer or club soda
Ice
The easiest way to rim your glass is to put just a few dots of honey around the outer rim. Run your finger along the edge to smooth the honey all the way around. Pour out the Tajin onto a shallow dish or even in the palm of your hand. Dip and press the edges of the glass into the Tajin until it’s coated.
To make your cocktail, add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and honey to a cocktail shaker or mason jar. Seal it, shake for 30 seconds or until the honey is dissolved, and pour into an ice filled glass. Top with ginger beer or club soda, garnish with a few wedges of citrus, and bottoms up!
Enjoy responsibly!
