A Margarita with a spicy twist

The Spicy Pineapple Margarita is a delicious twist on the margarita. It has a subtle hint of spiciness, with a slight but pleasing burn at the back of your throat, cooled by the sweetness of the pineapple and cilantro.

I love to muddle my fruits, squeezing out all the goodness but be aware with the notorious Habanero chilli, they can be deadly. Well, maybe not deadly but it can put yourself through an unpleasant experience so be aware.

If you would like to be on the safer side, you can also pre-make a Spicy Simple Syrup, and substitute it for the Habanero and simple syrup in the recipe below.

Each and every chilli can vary slightness in spiciness, so adjust to taste the amount used (start small and increase if necessary). If you can’t find any habanero peppers, or I have put in an early Halloween fright factor, why not look for its milder cousins such as the Jalapeno or Serrano chili.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Blanco tequila
• 0.5 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 3 thin slices of Habanero chili
• 8 fresh cilantro leaves
• 0.5 oz cilantro infused simple syrup
• About 1 cup of diced pineapple chunks
• 1 oz fresh lime juice

Method:

1. In a boston shaker, add the pineapple chunks, cilantro and habanero chilies and muddle to a mush.
2. Add the cilantro infused simple syrup, 1 oz of the freshly squeezed lime juice, tequila and cointreau.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously until tin is frosted.
4. Double strain through a small sieve of your choice into an ice filled glass.
5. Garnish with some fresh cilantro and imbibe

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