The cocktail scene is heating up with the demand for savory and spicy cocktails
When it comes to cocktails, younger drinkers are embracing bold, adventurous flavors. Sweet and fruity concoctions may always have their place, but a growing trend among millennials is leaning into spicy and savory cocktails—drinks with heat, depth, and a touch of umami. These cocktails are not only exciting to drink, they’re also surprisingly easy to make at home with simple ingredients.
Here are the best and easy savory and spicy cocktails to bring the fire and flavor to your next happy hour.
RELATED: Say Goodbye Grilling Season With The Ultimate Steak
Spicy Gin & Tonic with Jalapeño and Cucumber
This cocktail takes the classic G&T and gives it a spicy, refreshing upgrade. Jalapeño slices add heat while cucumber balances with crisp coolness.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 4 oz tonic water
- 2 cucumber slices
- 2 jalapeño slices
-
Lime wedge for garnish
Create
- Muddle cucumber and jalapeño lightly
- Add gin then top with tonic
- Garnish with lime
Smoky Bourbon & Chipotle Sour
Bourbon’s natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the smokiness of chipotle, creating a complex cocktail with a little kick.
Ingredients
Create
- Combine ingredients in cocktail mixer
- Shake with ice
- Strain into a rocks glass
- Garnish with a lemon peel
Spicy Tequila Paloma
The Paloma is Mexico’s beloved grapefruit-and-tequila cocktail, but adding chili salt and jalapeño takes it to the next level.
Ingredients
Create
- Rim a glass with chili salt
- Add tequila, lime, and jalapeño
- Top with grapefruit soda
Savory Rum Michelada
Borrowing from the beer-based Michelada, this twist swaps in light rum for a unique savory cocktail with tropical depth.
Ingredients
-
2 oz light rum
-
4 oz tomato juice
-
½ oz lime juice
-
2 dashes hot sauce
-
1 dash soy sauce
Create
- Mix ingredients with ice in a tall glass
- Gently stir
- Garnish with lime and chili powder
RELATED: Immersive Events Redefine Millennial Nights
Chili Mango Vodka Smash
This vodka cocktail blends sweet mango with fiery chili, creating a drink that’s tropical, savory, and refreshing all at once. It’s a modern, Instagram-worthy favorite.
Ingredients
-
2 oz vodka
-
1 oz fresh lime juice
-
¾ oz simple syrup (or agave)
-
3 chunks fresh mango (or 2 oz mango puree)
-
2 slices fresh red chili or jalapeño
Create
-
Muddle mango and chili
-
Shake with vodka, lime, and syrup
-
Strain into a rocks glass over ice
-
Garnish with chili slice
Spicy and savory cocktails are having their moment, fueled by millennial tastes for adventure and flavor diversity. Whether you’re into gin, vodka, bourbon, tequila, or rum, these easy recipes are proof you don’t need a speakeasy to enjoy mixology magic at home.
