Enlighten Your Tastebuds: National Chili Month

Did you know that October is National Chili Month? That means we have a great excuse to step outside of the box and celebrate this southwestern staple with some creative and unusual cocktails!

 

Hair of the Dog
6 oz gin
½ oz fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Tabasco sauce
Chili pepper slice for garnish

Pour the gin and Tabasco into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well. Strain into glass and garnish with your chili pepper.

Red Chili Martini
5 oz tequila
2 oz puréed mango
2 tbsp lime juice
Small red chili for garnish

Pour tequila, mango purée and lime juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake well to blend. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a small red chili!

Hatch Margarita
2 oz tequila
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup orange juice
1 chopped hatch chili

Muddle the hatch chili with the lime juice in a small bowl and let sit for 30 minutes. Combine with remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake to blend. Strain into your glass and enjoy!