Habanero Martini

Habanero Martini
S&C Design Studios
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The habanero martini is a drink for anyone who has a taste for all things hot and spicy. It holds a fantastic flavor and takes the basic tequini to a new level that's very interesting.

This spicy martini recipe is very simple, combining a smooth reposado tequila with dry vermouth. A single habanero pepper is added as a garnish and dropped inside the glass. The pepper will infuse the drink with its flavor, much like olives add their briny taste to the classic gin martini.

The flavor infusion begins within the first minute and will only intensify the longer it sets. The drink doesn't get as hot as you may expect, though. It's actually a very nice spiciness that anyone who appreciates a little heat will enjoy. It pairs perfectly against the gentle oak notes of the aged tequila and is a delight to sip for dinner or any occasion.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces reposado tequila

  • 1 ounce dry vermouth

  • Habanero pepper, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the tequila and dry vermouth.

  3. Shake well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a habanero pepper. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • It's not recommended that you eat the pepper when the drink is gone. However, washing your hands after handling it is a wise move. Definitely, don't touch your eyes or face before doing so!
  • There's no need to cut the pepper because it will infuse the martini perfectly when left whole. Keep in mind that most of the heat from any chili pepper is in the capsaicin-holding white flesh inside. If you cut a slit in it or cut it in half, the liquid will touch this and become spicier more quickly.
  • Once you find that the habanero martini hits your ideal flavor, remove the pepper to prevent the flavor from developing further. This is a particularly good idea if you tend to take your time enjoying the drink.
  • Any other hot chili pepper can be used instead of the habanero. Jalapeño is a popular choice and Thai chili peppers can really give it a boost.
  • It's best to avoid any peppers that are hotter than the habanero on the Scoville Scale—sorry, no ghost peppers. They are simply too hot and do not make a pleasant drinking experience. Daring yourself to sip a super hot drink is not fun because it's not like food that offers other ingredients to absorb the heat. It also has the potential to be dangerous by burning your mouth and throat. Besides, you probably won't drink all of it and will just be wasting perfectly good tequila.

Recipe Variation

How Strong Is the Habanero Martini?

Not only does this cocktail have the potential to be hot and spicy, but it's also rather potent. It may be best to limit yourself to one per night because the alcohol content is around 27 percent ABV (54 proof) when made with an 80-proof tequila. This is average for a martini-style drink and slightly weaker than a straight shot of tequila.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
197 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 197
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 65mg 323%
Calcium 19mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 204mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)