Spicy Cocktails
24 cocktails with a spicy flavor profile.
Benton's Old Fashioned
whiskey · Medium
A pioneering modern classic from New York's PDT that revolutionized the 'fat-washing' technique. It combines the savory, smoky essence of premium bacon with the rich sweetness of maple syrup and the robust character of bourbon.
Bloody Mary
vodka · Medium
The quintessential savory brunch cocktail, the Bloody Mary is a complex and spicy masterpiece. Known as a 'meal in a glass,' it perfectly balances the richness of tomato with sharp citrus and a kick of heat.
Brandy Flip
brandy · Medium
A rich, silky, and dessert-like cocktail that showcases the texture of a whole egg. Dating back to colonial times, this cold version transforms brandy into a creamy delight with a festive dusting of nutmeg.
Dark 'n Stormy
rum · Easy
The national drink of Bermuda, the Dark 'n Stormy is a visually striking highball that pairs the spicy, effervescent kick of ginger beer with the deep molasses and caramel notes of dark rum. It's refreshing, bold, and famously easy to build.
De La Louisiane
whiskey · Medium
A sophisticated New Orleans classic that masterfully balances the spice of rye whiskey with the deep herbal sweetness of Benedictine and the aromatic punch of absinthe. Often compared to a more complex Manhattan or a herbaceous Vieux Carré, it remains a favorite for lovers of spirit-forward cocktails.
El Diablo
tequila · Easy
The El Diablo is a sophisticated tequila highball that perfectly balances the earthy notes of agave with the deep, dark sweetness of blackcurrant. The addition of ginger ale and lime creates a refreshing, effervescent drink that is both approachable and complex.
Fernandito
brandy · Easy
The quintessential Argentine cocktail, the Fernandito is a bold and refreshing highball that balances the medicinal bitterness of Fernet-Branca with the sweet, caramel notes of Coca-Cola. It is a cultural staple of Argentina, particularly beloved in the city of Córdoba.
Final Ward
whiskey · Medium
A sophisticated modern classic created by Phil Ward in 2007. It's a riff on the Last Word that replaces gin with rye whiskey and lime with lemon, offering a spicier and more grounded herbal experience.
Flip
rum · Medium
The Flip is a velvety, spirit-forward classic built around whole egg and warm baking-spice aromatics. Originally a heated colonial drink, the modern shaken version is smooth, rich, and dessert-like without being cloying. Expect a silky body, gentle sweetness, and a cozy finish.
Frisco Sour
whiskey · Medium
A sophisticated and herbal evolution of the classic Whiskey Sour, featuring the spicy backbone of rye whiskey and the complex botanical sweetness of Benedictine. It offers a drier, more aromatic profile than a standard sour, making it an excellent choice for a refined evening sip.
Highball
whiskey · Easy
The Highball is the ultimate expression of simplicity, designed to elongate the spirit and highlight its subtle nuances with carbonation. This refreshing classic has seen a massive resurgence through Japanese bar culture, where the quality of ice and water is paramount.
Korean Mule
soju · Easy
A refreshing East-meets-West twist on the classic Moscow Mule, substituting vodka with Korea's most popular spirit, Soju. The clean, slightly sweet profile of Soju pairs perfectly with the spicy kick of ginger beer and tart lime, creating a balanced and crushable highball.
Lion's Tail
whiskey · Medium
A Prohibition-era classic that offers a unique and spicy twist on the Whiskey Sour family. The distinctive warmth of Allspice Dram (Pimento Dram) pairs perfectly with bourbon, creating a complex, aromatic cocktail that is particularly comforting in cooler weather.
London Buck
gin · Easy
A crisp and invigorating highball, the London Buck balances the botanical complexity of gin with the effervescent sweetness and spice of ginger. Often referred to simply as a Gin Buck, it is the quintessential refreshing long drink for warm afternoons.
Mexican Mule
tequila · Easy
A spirited twist on the classic Moscow Mule, replacing vodka with tequila for an extra layer of earthy agave flavor that stands up beautifully to the spicy ginger beer. Crisp, refreshing, and full of character, it is an ideal companion for spicy cuisine.
Moscow Mule
vodka · Easy
A refreshing and zesty highball that famously helped popularize vodka in the United States during the 1940s. It combines the crisp bite of vodka with the spicy heat of ginger beer and the bright acidity of fresh lime.
Penicillin
whiskey · Medium
A modern classic created by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey in New York. The Penicillin masterfully balances the spicy bite of ginger and honey with the sharp citrus of lemon, all topped with a signature smoky Islay Scotch aroma.
Sazerac
whiskey · Medium
The Sazerac is a quintessential New Orleans classic, widely regarded as one of America's first cocktails. It features a bold, spirit-forward profile with a complex herbal finish provided by the absinthe rinse and signature Peychaud's bitters.
Seelbach
whiskey · Medium
A sophisticated and sparkling cocktail from Louisville, Kentucky, famous for its unusually high number of bitters. It offers a complex interplay between the warmth of bourbon, the sweetness of orange, and a dry, effervescent finish.
Soju Mule
soju · Easy
A refreshing Korean adaptation of the Moscow Mule, swapping vodka for soju to create a smoother and slightly sweeter highball. The spicy warmth of ginger beer and the sharp tang of lime make it an incredibly easy-drinking cocktail.
Toronto
whiskey · Medium
The Toronto is a sophisticated variation of the Old Fashioned or Manhattan, distinguished by the addition of Fernet-Branca. It offers a complex balance of spicy rye whiskey notes and the deep, medicinal bitterness of the Italian amaro.
Vieux Carré
whiskey · Medium
A potent, complex masterpiece named after New Orleans' French Quarter. This sophisticated blend of spirits and bitters delivers a rich, layered profile that evolves with every sip, capturing the soul of the Crescent City.
Virgin Mary
none · Medium
The Virgin Mary is the sophisticated non-alcoholic sibling of the Bloody Mary, offering a rich, savory, and spicy profile. It's a complex blend of tomato juice, citrus, and sharp spices that makes it the ultimate savory brunch companion.
Zombie
rum · Hard
The quintessential Tiki cocktail created by Donn Beach, known for its incredible potency and complex layers of fruit and spice. This legendary drink combines three types of rum with fruit juices and exotic syrups, delivering a flavor that is dangerously smooth despite its very high alcohol content.