Ingredients
- 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and sliced
- 750mL vodka
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- Carefully cut two jalapeños in half, removing the seeds.
- Slice the two halves.
- In a large clean bottle or jar, add the jalapeño slices and vodka.
- Cap the bottle or jars and gently swirl to mix.
- Store the mix in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days, giving the container a swirl each day.
- After several days, sample by pouring the infusion into a glass. If you want more heat, allow the jalapeño infusion to steep longer.
- If there's enough flavor and heat for you, carefully remove the jalapeño slices and discard.
- Funnel the infused vodka into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
- Seal. The vodka can be used right away.
You can store unused vodka tightly sealed in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years before the quality diminishes. But take care to discard when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."
Variations of Jalapeño-Infused Vodka
Balance your infused vodka with sweet or fruity notes for a well-rounded flavor. But don't worry; you have options that can keep it earthy and savory.
- To counter the punchy jalapeño notes, add a cup to cup and a half of peeled and chopped pineapple. Stick with the tropical touch and add a cup of chopped coconut.
- Give it a citrus flair by adding one to two whole sliced lemons or limes or a whole sliced orange.
- Include juicy berry flavors by including half to a full cup of halved raspberries or hulled and sliced strawberries.
- A quarter to a half cup of honey adds creates a balance of sweet to spicy.
- A few other pepper options include one to three habanero peppers or poblanos, deseeded and sliced, or two to three clean ancho chiles.
Jalapeño-Infused Vodka Cocktails
Craft a tasty jalapeño vodka cocktail. You can pack as much, or little, heat as your fiery heart desires. Then hen tongue catches fire, you can switch to tamer flavored vodka drinks to cool it off.
Pineapple Smash
Nothing beats a refreshing smash cocktail, especially when there's a little heat to tie it all together.
Ingredients
- 2-3 lime wedges
- 1-2 orange wedges
- 2 ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel, mint sprig, and pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle lime and orange wedges with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, jalapeño vodka, pineapple juice, and remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel, mint sprig, and pineapple wedge.
Spicy Hot Chocolate
Beat the chill with a warm mug of hot chocolate to get the blood flow going and a little jalapeño vodka to warm you up from the inside out.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- 4 ounces prepared hot chocolate
- ½ ounce Irish cream
- Marshmallows for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In prepared mug, add jalapeño vodka, hot chocolate, and Irish cream.
- Carefully stir to mix.
- Garnish with marshmallows.
Bloody Mary Wake-Up
This Bloody Mary doesn't wake you up with coffee, but it wakes you up by the heat that builds sip after sip.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- ¾ ounce pickle juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 dashes Italian seasoning
- Ice
- Celery stick and cucumber slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, jalapeño vodka, tomato juice, pickle juice, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire, and Italian seasoning.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with celery stick and cucumber slice.
Jalapeño Lemonade
There's no iconic flavor trio quite like sweet, spicy, and sour. This cocktail hits all the notes in a memorable way.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- 4 ounces lemonade
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, jalapeño vodka, lemonade, and elderflower liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Mixers for Jalapeño Vodka Drinks
Consider this list of mixers for making your own jalapeño vodka drink that'll absolutely pop.
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda, such as lemon, lime, orange, coconut, berry, or vanilla
- Margarita mix
- Lime juice
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Limeade
- Lemonade
- Orange liqueur
- Simple syrup
- Agave
- Coconut water
Popping Jalapeño-Infused Vodka
Jalapeño isn't just for popper appetizers anymore. Add a little zest, a little pep, and a little kick to classic and modern cocktails. Anything made with jalapeño vodka is worthy of several flame emojis. Then when you can't stand the heat anymore, switch to milder flavored vodka drinks to cool back down.
