Spicy margaritas and strawberry margaritas are two of my favorite cocktails – especially when they’re freshly made and not too sweet. So when I ordered a spicy strawberry mezcal cocktail in Mexico City during my recent trip, it hit me that I had never tried combining those two perfect things before. Inspired by that fresh, tart, barely sweet, and mildly spicy cocktail, I whipped up some spicy strawberry margaritas at home. It’s the perfect summer cocktail, truly.
INGREDIENTS:
2 strawberries
1 ounce silver tequila
1 ounce mezcal
1/2 ounce grand marnier
2 limes, juiced
1 tablespoon chile de arbol simple syrup
chili salt, for garnish
INGREDIENTS (ARBOL SYRUP):
1 chile de arbol
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
DIRECTIONS:
To make arbol syrup, combine 1 chile de arbol, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. turn off heat, cool, and strain.
In cocktail shaker, muddle strawberries, then add everything else. Stir for fifteen seconds over ice. Strain over ice in glass rimmed with chili salt.