There’s no denying the appeal of classic, balanced, flavorful cocktails. There’s a reason they’ve stood the test of time. I’m talking timeless drinks like the Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Manhattan. This is because these (and other) drinks serve as the base for many other mixed drinks. They’re boozy, balanced, and highly memorable in their simplicity. If you were to ask a bartender for the most basic cocktail combination, they would likely tell you it is spirit, sour, and sweetener (the base for the Margarita, Daiquiri, and more).
While nobody is here to completely turn the classic combination on its head, what happens if you change things up by upping the sweetness while also adding a little spice into the equation? Beyond throwing a few jalapeños into your favorite citrus-based cocktails.
I’m referencing the trend of sweet-and-spicy cocktails.
The Sweet and Spicy Trend
For the last few years, sweet and spicy (also known as “swicy”) has been trending in the food world. And it’s been gaining popularity in the mixology realm, too. In the simplest terms, it’s a trend featuring familiar sweeteners like sugar, agave, maple syrup, and fruit juice, along with spices and other ingredients that ramp up the cocktail’s heat. This includes things like chili peppers and powder, jalapeños, and even and especially hot honey. When layered properly, these cocktails are the perfect combination of sweet and heat (not to mention boozy).
It’s trending mostly because Gen Z (and other) drinkers are no longer interested in what they consider to be boring, traditional flavors. Instead, they are opting for multi-layered, complex, sensory-filled cocktail experiences. Perhaps the reason for this change is that younger generations are more driven by social media trends and a need for adventurous experiences. Can’t blame ’em. While hopping on a plane for Machu Picchu might not be in the cards for everyone, a stop at their local watering hole for a hot honey, jalapeño Margarita might be possible.
You might be wondering which flavors are dominating the hot-and-sweet cocktail trend. You might only know hot honey as the perfect addition to your favorite pizza. Bartenders are using it to make hot honey syrup, adding extra sweet heat to cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, or Tom Collins. Mixologists also combine tropical fruits like mangos, pineapples, guavas, and more with spices and hot peppers. Heat sources include chili powder, Tajín, gochujang paste, and even Italian Calabrian chili.
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Cocktails
If the idea of crafting sweet and spicy cocktails at home appeals to you (as it should), there are a variety of routes you can take to embrace this trend. The best part? You can adjust the heat and sweet level to your own personal palate, something you might not be able to do at your local cocktail bar.
Making sweet and spicy cocktails is not only easy, but it also allows you to get creative with flavors. You can go the simple route and muddle some jalapeños to craft a spicy, sweet Margarita. Or you can get more elaborate and combine things like pineapple, mango, simple syrup, maple syrup, or agave syrup with hot flavors like ginger candy, jalapenos, hot honey, spiced liqueurs (or spiced rum), along with citrus juice and a variety of other ingredients depending on your personal taste.
You can build all the flavors together using the basic recipe for your favorite cocktail by adding the sweet and spicy ingredients along with your favorite spirit (or spirits). Get creative, have fun, and make something boozy with a touch of sweet heat.
Try These Sweet and Spicy Hacks
There are a variety of simple hacks to elevate your sweet-and-spicy home mixology. Make simple syrup with jalapeño peppers, dried chilis, or red pepper flakes for some sweet heat. Instead of simply mudding herbs, or sugar, water, and bitters, muddle hot peppers with sugar or simple syrup to add some extra heat.
Perhaps the easiest way to make a sweet and spicy cocktail (besides buying a spicy spirit or liqueur like Ancho Reyes) is to infuse your favorite whiskey, tequila, rum, vodka, or other spirit with hot peppers, cinnamon, or your favorite spices.
Play With the Heat
After you’ve found sweet-and-spicy cocktails you enjoy, take time to play with the heat level. If you’re the type of drinker who prefers hot sauce added to your favorite foods, you might take a sip or two and decide to turn the heat up to eleven. Or it might not be as sweet as you’d prefer. Add more sugar, fruit, or simple syrup the next time you make it. All in all, have fun. Try different flavor combinations and cocktail types. Find what you like and mix (or stir) some drinks for your friends and family.
Wow them with your repertoire of “swicy” cocktails.
