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.
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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
-
2 oz bourbon
-
1 oz fresh lemon juice
-
¾ oz simple syrup
-
Dash of chipotle hot sauce
- Combine ingredients in cocktail mixer
- Shake with ice
- Strain into a rocks glass
- Garnish with a lemon peel
Spicy Tequila Paloma
-
2 oz tequila blanco
-
3 oz grapefruit soda (or juice + soda water)
-
½ oz lime juice
-
2 jalapeño slices
-
Chili salt rim
- Rim a glass with chili salt
- Add tequila, lime, and jalapeño
- Top with grapefruit soda
Savory Rum Michelada
-
2 oz light rum
-
4 oz tomato juice
-
½ oz lime juice
-
2 dashes hot sauce
-
1 dash soy sauce
- Mix ingredients with ice in a tall glass
- Gently stir
- Garnish with lime and chili powder
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Chili Mango Vodka Smash
-
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
-
Muddle mango and chili
-
Shake with vodka, lime, and syrup
-
Strain into a rocks glass over ice
-
Garnish with chili slice
