This cocktail is very spicy and I love drinks like that. The key heat comes from the serrano chile, which is both muddled and used as a garnish. The "chill," which is certainly necessary as the serrano is about 5x hotter than a jalapeno, comes from the basil, lime, sugar syrup and an aged tequila that looks anything but (Maestro Dobel). Amazingly it all comes together quite smoothly. All of you spicy drink lovers can thank Pablo Moix from STK in Los Angeles for coming up with this new twist on the tequila cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 4 basil leaves
- 1 Serrano chili slice 1/4" thick
- 2 oz Maestro Dobel Tequila
- 3/4 oz lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
Preparation:
- In a pint glass [or mixing glass or cocktail shaker base], crack the chili with a muddler.
- Add basil, then muddle or bruise.
- Add all spirits and mixers.
- Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a Serrano chili slice and a basil sprig.
