Spicy Margarita Recipe

Ingredients:

• Spicy Serrano Simple Syrup:
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 serrano peppers, cut crosswise into thin slices (do not remove seeds)
• Margarita:
• 1/4 cup Kosher salt
• 2 lime wedges
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) fresh lime juice
• 4 oz Tequila Blanco or Silver
• 4 oz Cointreau or Grand Marnier
• Serrano slices, reserved from making simple syrup
• Spicy Serrano Simple Syrup, to taste

Directions:

1. To make Spicy Serrano Simple Syrup, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and mixture simmers. Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute, add pepper slices, and continue to simmer gently for a minute or two, until reduced to 1/2 cup and peppers absorb some syrup. Remove from heat and cool. Steep peppers in syrup for 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Strain syrup, reserving pepper slices and syrup separately. Cover and chill until cocktail time or up to a day ahead of serving.
3. To make the margaritas, spread salt on a plate. Rub lime wedge on the rims of two margarita glasses to moisten. Dip rims in salt and rotate to make sure they are evenly coated.
4. In a cocktail shaker, combine lime juice, tequila, Cointreau, 2 Tbsp or more (to taste) of Spicy Simple Syrup and a handful of ice. Shake. Strain into glasses. Add a few reserved serrano slices to each, as desired.