Though the spicy Margarita may be the drink of our times, cocktails of every kind—stirred, shaken or built in the glass—have adopted a kick of heat at bars across the country. And just as the landscape of spicy recipes has grown, so too has the number of methods for imbuing drinks with heat. From habanero tinctures to gochujang syrup to ancho chile liqueur, there’s no shortage of ways to spice things up. Here are our favorite takes on the spicy cocktail, in every style.
Stirred
Salt & Pepper Martini
A spicy-savory Martini thanks to sherry, celery bitters and Giffard Piment d’Espelette.
Sugar Monk’s Hanky Panky
Chile-infused orange bitters put a spicy spin on the classic fernet-laced cocktail.
Stone Raft
A spicy, savory take on the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned.
Shaken
Singchelada
The Michelada goes Thai.
Meloncholia
A modern watermelon cocktail that's equal parts “crushable” and surprising.
Dirty Old Man
Red chile–infused Aperol adds spice to the combination of tequila, mezcal and pineapple.
Built
Mezcal Sun-Risa
A Tequila Sunrise riff topped with spicy hibiscus-habanero syrup.
La Playa Cubana
The Cuba Libre in stirred form.
