Have no fear. I have no intention of posting anything pumpkin spice related before it’s time but I am looking ahead toward Labor Day weekend entertaining. A little leap of time. A baby step. With me?
If you are expecting company over for some grill time or just having a small family get-together, I suggest serving these delicious Cherry Chili Margaritas.
The foundation for the cocktail is homemade cherry chili syrup. You can use whatever hot peppers you have on hand (I used Serranos) or pick your favorite based on how hot you want the syrup to be. The glasses are rimmed with chili-laced sugar, not salt. Use salt if you prefer.
I served these straight up with ice. Throw the drink, some ice, and some extra pitted cherries in the blender to create a sexy slushy frozen version.
Make the syrup at least the day before. For additional flavor add some fresh herbs from your gardens like mint or basil to the syrup in the simmering phase.
This lovely cocktail still celebrates the flavors of summer with a spicy bit of heat. what better way to celebrate the end of summer than to booze up some fresh cherries?
Cherry Chili Margaritas
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 4 shots chilled tequila
- 2 tablespoons cold cherry chili syrup
- 1 Splash kirschwasser
- 2 whole fresh cherries to garnish each drink
- ice
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the chili powder, sugar, and salt. Pour out onto a flat plate.
-
Wet the rims for two margarita glasses and dip in the chili sugar and salt mixture.
-
Add ice to the glasses.
-
Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
-
Shake and pour into the two prepared margarita glasses filled with ice cubes.
-
Garnish each margarita with a cherry and serve.
Cherry Chili Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 lb fresh cherries pitted
- 2 Serrano chilis or your choice of chili variety de-stemmed, de-seeded cut into tiny pieces.
Instructions
-
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
-
Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
-
Remove the pan from the heat, let the mixture stand overnight.
-
Strain the liquid into a second saucepan and cook for 5 minutes until it starts to simmer.
-
Remove from heat and transfer to a sterilized bottle or jar.
Like Margaritas? Try this one:
