Johnny Blaze

Ally Marrone and Robby Dow, Grand Army | Brooklyn, New York

Grand Army Spicy Margarita

It is hard to deny that the spicy Margarita is the drink of our times. Made with tequila or mezcal, and spiced with everything from muddled jalepeños to habanero tincture or via chile powder rim, the piquant mixture is, as Punch contributor Scott Hocker declares, “simultaneously safe, extreme, cultured and milquetoast.” In other words, it’s the ultimate anytime, anywhere drink. At Grand Army in Brooklyn, the Johnny Blaze, named for the anti-hero from the comic and film, Ghostrider, pairs tequila with fiery habanero shrub and lime with an extra kick courtesy of ginger.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 2 ounces blanco tequila, preferably Arette Blanco
  • 2 ounces blanco tequila, preferably Arette Blanco
  • 3/4 ounce lime
  • 3/4 ounce lime
  • 1/2 ounce habanero shrub (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1/2 ounce habanero shrub (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1/4 ounce agave syrup
  • 1/4 ounce agave syrup
  • 1/4 ounce "Some Good Stuff Biz" (see Editor’s Note)
  • 1/4 ounce "Some Good Stuff Biz" (see Editor’s Note)

Garnish: lime wheel

Directions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin and shake with ice.
  2. Strain into a rocks glass over Kold Draft ice.
  3. Garnish with lime wheel.
Editor's Note

Some Good Stuff Biz:
Combine equal parts Strega, Salers and Giffard ginger liqueur in a bottle.

Habanero Shrub
16 ounces water
16 ounces white sugar
75 grams deseeded fresh habanero
16 ounces Braggs apple cider vinegar

In a saucepan, combine the water, white sugar and habaneros over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, add apple cider vinegar and stir to incorporate. Allow contents to rest for 30 minutes, then strain out the habaneros. Once the shrub cools, bottle and keep refrigerated.