Have you been to a bar where the bartender asks you what you’re in the mood for? Some bars enjoy making custom cocktails based on your preferred spirit or flavor profile. (Like this one in Aruba.) Since I have a wide range of cocktail flavors and spirits that I like, this can be really hard for me. I often just say gin and spicy. Gin cocktails are so wide-ranging and delicious that I feel like you can’t go wrong. I’ve been sharing some of my favorite gin cocktails and have a couple of posts about spicy cocktails. It seemed like a good time to share my favorite spicy gin cocktails with you as well. They feature a variety of different ways to add spice, so there’s something for everyone. Let’s dive in!

1. Spicy Gin Gimlet

Gimlets can be made with gin or vodka. I have always loved a gin gimlet as a go-to cocktail when I want something classic. While the basic recipe is simple, it’s easy to add a flavor to move the drink into another delicious direction. One of my favorite riffs, besides the one I share here, is a lavender gin gimlet. For a spicy take on a gimlet, I suggest adding Ancho Reyes Chili Ancho Liqueur. It adds a smoky, spicy sweetness that wows the tastebuds. The spice level is balanced and won’t leave you grabbing for a glass of water immediately.

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Spicy Gin Gimlet

Keyword: citrus cocktails, gin

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 0.75 oz lime juice
• 0.75 oz Ancho Reyes Chili Ancho liqueur
• 0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1, sugar:water)

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
• Shake well, 20-30 seconds, and strain into a coupe glass.

2. Bee Sting

A Bee’s Knees is made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. For a hotter version, we turn to hot honey as the secret heat ingredient. Other versions of a Bee Sting cocktail recipe call for Ancho Reyes instead of what I am recommending here. So, if making syrups isn’t your thing, use the recipe below with a regular honey syrup (1:1) and three quarters of an ounce of Ancho Reyes. Either way, it’s one of my favorite spicy gin cocktails.

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Bee Sting

Keyword: citrus cocktails, gin

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 0.75 oz lemon juice
• 0.75 oz hot honey syrup*

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
• Shake 20-30 seconds and strain into a Nick and Nora glass and serve.

Notes

*Hot Honey Syrup: combine a cup of water and a cup of hot honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until honey dissolves and cool completely before storing in a sealable container in the refrigerator up to three weeks.

3. Jalapeño Gin & Tonic

This drink is incredibly easy to make but is so delicious. I also love that while it’s spicy, it is also quite refreshing. The Cucumber Tonic Water really makes this cocktail pop, but you can also use regular tonic if it’s all you have. I would highly recommend wearing a glove or putting a plastic bag over your hand when cutting the jalapeño pepper. That way you can avoid any unfortunate “pepper juice in your eye from your hand” situations. Serving with a straw can also help to mix the drink in the glass.

Print Recipe

Jalapeño Gin and Tonic

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz gin
• 4 oz Cucumber Tonic Water (or regular Tonic water)
• 1 jalapeño pepper

Instructions

• Add gin to a highball or fizz glass with ice.
• Slice the jalapeño pepper into disks. Place slices in between glass and ice.
• Pour the tonic water over the gin and peppers and gently mix with a spoon or straw.

Notes

For a slightly less spicy drink, remove the seeds and veins from the pepper before adding to the drink.

4. Ginger French 75

There’s nothing like a sparkling champagne (or prosecco) cocktail to make things feel celebratory. It might be the fizz, or the sleek champagne flute, but either way a French 75 is a great drink that most people like. The basic recipe is easy but I also like to add a little something to it. Enter ginger liqueur, a little fresh ginger, and a ginger candy garnish and viola!–a Ginger French 75. It’s nice and spicy, you can back down the fresh ginger if it’s too much. If you’re not familiar with double straining, it’s done with a Hawthorne and a conical strainer to remove pulp.

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Ginger French 75

Keyword: citrus cocktails, gin, ginger

Ingredients

• 1 branch fresh ginger root
• 1.5 oz gin
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75 oz ginger liqueur
• 2-3 oz prosecco

Instructions

• Peel ginger root and slice into disks. Add to empty shaker.
• Add gin to shaker and muddle with ginger. Let sit to infuse for 10-15 minutes.
• Add lemon juice, ginger liqueur, and ice to shaker.
• Shake 20-30 seconds until shaker is frosty and cold.
• Double strain into a champagne flute and top with prosecco. Garnish with candied ginger.

5. Hot Pepper Martini

In keeping with the classic sophistication of the martini, we’ll keep this last cocktail classy and simple. While it’s only three ingredients, the flavors are bold and delicious. For those of you who enjoy savory cocktails over sweet, this will be a perfect choice. I used Crude Bitters No No Bitters, but you can use any spicy pepper bitters you can find. These black pepper bitters sound really good too.

Print Recipe

Spicy Pepper Martini

Keyword: dry vermouth, gin, martini

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 0.5 oz dry vermouth
• 1 dash spicy bitters

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
• Stir 20-30 seconds until condensation forms on the outside of the mixing glass.
• Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve.

And there you have five incredibly delicious spicy gin cocktails. I’d love to hear which one was your favorite. If you love gin, have you ever tried making cedar gin? Cheers!

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