What’s the best way to stay warm when the weather won’t seem to let up? We may be biased, but we’re all about turning up the heat in our glass to keep our bodies warm, and in our opinion, the spicier the drink, the better. We searched high and low for the spiciest kicks in the glass we could find, eager to drink up and stay warm simultaneously. We’ve narrowed the list down to the nine most fiery cocktails we could find, and we’re sharing each and every one with you here. Grab a glass, sip some heat, and commit to staying toasty until the frost finally breaks with one of these pleasantly peppery drinks.
Ghost Pepper Cocktail
What You’ll Need: Honey Whiskey, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Bhut Jolokia. The honey whiskey and simple syrup tame the flame to a perfect balance in this sweet and spicy concoction.
Serrano-Spiced Paloma Cocktail
What You’ll Need: Tequila, Lime Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Agave Nectar, Soda Water. This grapefruit guzzler is an ideal marriage between citrus and heat. Use citrus soda to tame the flame to your preferred level.
Picante Pigeon
What You’ll Need: Tequila Reposado, Jalapeno Slices, Sugar, Pink Grapefruit Juice, Lime Juice, Grapefruit Slice. Muddled jalapenos, sugar, grapefruit juice, and tequila. Sounds like the most summery our winter’s gonna get.
Spicy Carrot Sunrise Mimosa
What You’ll Need: Sparkling Wine, Carrot Juice, Orange Juice, Cayenne, Orange Slices. Sweet, spicy, and sparkly. Brunch just doesn’t get better than that, does it?
Kyoto Sour
What You’ll Need: Sake, Grapefruit, Green Tabasco Sauce, Lemon Juice, Agave Nectar. Japanese whiskey and tangy citrus are a gorgeous pair, while the tabasco and agave nectar contrast beautifully against the zesty citrus. For a refreshing kick, add a mint leaf as a garnish.
Spicy Maiden Cocktail
What You’ll Need: Spiced Rum, Lime Juice, Cinnamon, Jalapeno, Pineapple Juice, Pineapple Wedge (garnish), Jalapeno Slice (garnish). Between spiced rum, cinnamon, and jalapeno, the heat of this drink is next-level. Drink with caution — your mouth might just be set aflame.
Ghost Margarita
What You’ll Need: Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier, Lime Juice, Lemon Juice, Ghost Chili Simple Syrup. Citrus, citrus, citrus, plus Ghost Pepper simple syrup — are you scared yet? We assure you, this cocktail is terrifyingly tasty.
Ghost Chili Pepper Moscow Mule
What You’ll Need: Ghost Chili Pepper-Infused Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Ice. A spicy take on this classic cocktail is just what your chilly Saturday brunch called for. Kick up the heat with Ghost Pepper Vodka and Ginger Beer — your insides will be warmed up in no time.
Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
What You’ll Need: Grapefruit Juice, Tequila, Cayenne Simple Syrup, Ice, Lime Wedge, Salt. Cayenne pepper is key to giving this cocktail its heat. This crowd-pleasing margarita is a perfect match for brunch meals, salty afternoon snacks, and, of course, that gigantic evening plate of cheesy nachos.
