Spicy Fifty Cocktail Drink

Spicy Fifty

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Are you in the mood for a Spicy Fifty? This drink is easy to make and only uses simple ingredients.

Spicy Fifty Recipe

Try our Spicy Fifty recipe! With vanilla vodka, tangy lime, elderflower allure, and chili heat, it's the toast of the town.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

151 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Vanilla Vodka
  • ½ oz elderflower Liqueur
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp honey syrup
  • ½ red chili pepper, deseeded

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer Fine
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Martini Glass Chilled

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Stir some ice cubes in your glass to chill it.
  • Prep the Chili: Take ½ red chili pepper and remove the seeds. Muddle it gently in the cocktail shaker.
  • Mix Ingredients: Add 1 tsp honey syrup, ½ oz fresh lime juice, ½ oz elderflower Liqueur, and 1 oz Vanilla Vodka.
  • Shake: After adding all the ingredients, shake well with ice.
  • Serve: Fine strain the mixture into your chilled glass, to avoid any ice or chili seeds.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vanilla Vodka: I sometimes replace vanilla vodka with regular vodka and a splash of pure vanilla extract. It still gives that comforting vanilla touch.
  • Elderflower Liqueur: If you're out of elderflower liqueur, try simple syrup with a dash of elderflower essence to mimic the sweet and floral essence.
  • Honey Syrup: Agave syrup can replace honey with a slightly different but delightful sweetness.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To serve 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'll use 12 oz of vanilla vodka, 4 oz of elderflower liqueur, 4 oz of fresh lime juice, and 8 barpoons of honey syrup. Adjust the chili peppers based on your desired heat level.
  • Mix & Serve: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher, add some ice and stir your mixture. Strain and pour into chilled martini glasses and enjoy.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vanilla Vodka Substitute: Use a vanilla-flavored syrup as a base.
  • Elderflower Liqueur Substitute: Elderflower cordial, available in many grocery stores, makes a great non-alcoholic replacement.
  • Proceed As Usual: Replace the alcoholic components with the substitutes mentioned and follow the original steps for a refreshing, non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Honey Syrup Alternative: Replace honey syrup with agave syrup or maple syrup. Both provide a rich sweetness without using animal products.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
151
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
3
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
14
g
5
%
Fiber
 
0.4
g
2
%
Sugar
 
13
g
14
%
Potassium
 
93
mg
3
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.01
g
Vitamin A
 
221
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
 
37
mg
45
%
Calcium
 
6
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.3
mg
2
%

 

Spicy Fifty Cocktail Drink

Spicy Fifty Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Try our Spicy Fifty recipe! With vanilla vodka, tangy lime, elderflower allure, and chili heat, it's the toast of the town.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 151

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Vanilla Vodka
  • ½ oz elderflower Liqueur
  • ½ oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp honey syrup
  • ½ red chili pepper - deseeded

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Strainer Fine
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Martini Glass Chilled

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Stir some ice cubes in your glass to chill it.
  • Prep the Chili: Take ½ red chili pepper and remove the seeds. Muddle it gently in the cocktail shaker.
  • Mix Ingredients: Add 1 tsp honey syrup, ½ oz fresh lime juice, ½ oz elderflower Liqueur, and 1 oz Vanilla Vodka.
  • Shake: After adding all the ingredients, shake well with ice.
  • Serve: Fine strain the mixture into your chilled glass, to avoid any ice or chili seeds.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Vanilla Vodka: I sometimes replace vanilla vodka with regular vodka and a splash of pure vanilla extract. It still gives that comforting vanilla touch.
  • Elderflower Liqueur: If you're out of elderflower liqueur, try simple syrup with a dash of elderflower essence to mimic the sweet and floral essence.
  • Honey Syrup: Agave syrup can replace honey with a slightly different but delightful sweetness.

Making a Pitcher:

  • Scale: To serve 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. You'll use 12 oz of vanilla vodka, 4 oz of elderflower liqueur, 4 oz of fresh lime juice, and 8 barpoons of honey syrup. Adjust the chili peppers based on your desired heat level.
  • Mix & Serve: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher, add some ice and stir your mixture. Strain and pour into chilled martini glasses and enjoy.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Vanilla Vodka Substitute: Use a vanilla-flavored syrup as a base.
  • Elderflower Liqueur Substitute: Elderflower cordial, available in many grocery stores, makes a great non-alcoholic replacement.
  • Proceed As Usual: Replace the alcoholic components with the substitutes mentioned and follow the original steps for a refreshing, non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Honey Syrup Alternative: Replace honey syrup with agave syrup or maple syrup. Both provide a rich sweetness without using animal products.

What is a Spicy Fifty?

Spicy Fifty is a cocktail that combines vanilla vodka, lime juice, elderflower liqueur, honey syrup, and a kick of chili. The name likely hints at the exciting blend of five core ingredients. While its origin isn’t as ancient as some classics, its popularity has recently surged. You might think such a drink requires a specialist’s touch, but many find the Spicy Fifty simple. This modern Spicy Fifty recipe captures the essence of today’s cocktail culture, yet it remains accessible for anyone to try. Furthermore, it has earned recognition as an IBA official cocktail, showcasing its status in the world of mixology.

A side shot of a Spicy Fifty cocktail in coupe glass on a wooden plate placed on a green cloth on a tiled surface with a red chili pepper, a jigger, and a bar spoon around.

What is a Spicy Fifty made of – The ingredients

Gather these ingredients to mix up a Spicy Fifty:

  • Vanilla Vodka: Provides the primary alcoholic base with a hint of sweet vanilla flavor.
  • Lime Juice: Adds a tangy citrus note, balancing out the sweetness.
  • Elderflower Liqueur: Offers a floral touch, enhancing the drink’s complexity.
  • Honey Syrup: Imparts a natural sweetness, smoothing the overall taste.
  • Red Chili Pepper: Injects a spicy kick, making the drink memorable and distinctive.

Vanilla Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, lime juice, honey syrup, and red chili pepper laid out on a white bar table.

How do you make a Spicy Fifty?

Concoct a Spicy Fifty with ease by following our steps:

1
<p>Start by stirring some ice cubes in the martini glass.</p>

Start by stirring some ice cubes in the martini glass.

2
<p>Take half a red chili pepper, removing its seeds. Drop it into the shaker.</p>

Take half a red chili pepper, removing its seeds. Drop it into the shaker.

3
<p>Gently muddle the deseeded chili pepper to release its flavors.</p>

Gently muddle the deseeded chili pepper to release its flavors.

4
<p>Pour the fresh lime juice into the shaker.</p>

Pour the fresh lime juice into the shaker.

5
<p>Add the honey syrup to the shaker.</p>

Add the honey syrup to the shaker.

6
<p>Incorporate the elderflower liqueur to the mix.</p>

Incorporate the elderflower liqueur to the mix.

7
<p>Pour the vanilla vodka into the shaker.</p>

Pour the vanilla vodka into the shaker.

8
<p>Fill the shaker with ice cubes.</p>

Fill the shaker with ice cubes.

9
<p>Shake the mixture vigorously with ice to chill and combine them.</p>

Shake the mixture vigorously with ice to chill and combine them.

10
<p>Remove the ice cubes from your chilled martini glass.</p>

Remove the ice cubes from your chilled martini glass.

11
<p>Strain the shaken mixture into your chilled glass, using a fine strainer to ensure no chili seeds or pieces end up in the drink.</p>

Strain the shaken mixture into your chilled glass, using a fine strainer to ensure no chili seeds or pieces end up in the drink.

12
<p>Enjoy your Spicy Fifty!</p>

Enjoy your Spicy Fifty!

Elderflower Cordial instead of Elderflower Liqueur for a Spicy Fifty

Switching from elderflower liqueur to elderflower cordial in a Spicy Fifty cocktail can be a game changer. The liqueur, with an alcoholic base, offers both sweetness and a kick. On the other hand, the cordial is non-alcoholic and delivers a pure, sweet elderflower taste. If you opt for cordial, you might want to tweak the drink’s alcohol balance using other ingredients. Cordial can introduce more sweetness than liqueur, so adjusting the amount might be necessary.

A Spicy Fifty cocktail, shot from above, in coupe glass on a wooden plate placed on a green cloth on a tiled surface with three different types of chili pepper and a bar spoon around.

Spicy Fifty Variations

Looking to broaden your horizons? Take a look at some of our top choices:

  • Classic Spicy Fifty: This is the original creation by Salvatore Calabrese, featuring vanilla-flavored vodka, elderflower cordial, lime juice, honey syrup, and red chili pepper. It’s known for its balance of spicy chili and sweet honey, smoothed by the floral notes of elderflower. Personally, I find the intricate balance between the spicy chili and sweet honey, combined with the floral undertones of elderflower, to be a delightful sensory experience.
  • MyZo: Created by Myles Cunliffe, this variation also uses vanilla-flavored vodka, elderflower cordial, citrus, and chili. It’s similar to the Spicy Fifty but was developed independently and has its own unique balance of flavors. The MyZo’s unique twist on the flavor profile, blending citrus with chili, appeals to me as it offers a refreshing and zesty take on the classic spicy cocktail.
  • Fuego Manzana No.2: Created by Danny Smith in London, this variation includes chili but differs in other ingredients, showcasing the versatility of chili in cocktails. It’s an example of how chili began to influence cocktail culture in London during the time.

A side shot of a Spicy Fifty cocktail in coupe glass on a wooden plate placed on a green cloth on a tiled surface with a red chili pepper and a bar spoon around.

History and Origin of the Spicy Fifty

Though a recognized name in contemporary cocktail culture, the Spicy Fifty does not boast a long and storied history like some other classic drinks. The renowned bartender Salvatore Calabrese crafted various innovative cocktails throughout his career and created the Spicy Fifty. He developed this drink at the famous Lanesborough Hotel in London.

Salvatore’s intention behind the Spicy Fifty was to craft a cocktail that would bring together the sweetness of honey and vanilla with the tartness of lime while providing a fiery kick from the chili. The harmonious blending of these distinct flavors has since made the drink a favorite among those who enjoy a drink with a spicy twist.

Given its more recent origin, compared to century-old classics, the drink represents the innovation and adaptability of modern bartending. It underscores the industry’s ongoing evolution, where bartenders experiment and push boundaries to delight the palates of adventurous drinkers.

A Spicy Fifty cocktail, shot from above, in coupe glass on a white marmol tablesurrounded by a lime juice bottle, a honey syrup bottle, a vanilla Vodka bottle, an Elderflower Liqueur and a red chili pepper

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FAQ

How many calories does a Spicy Fifty have?
It typically contains around 180-200 calories, but this can vary based on the specific ingredients and their quantities.
How strong is the Spicy Fifty in terms of ABV?
It usually has an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) of approximately 20-25%, depending on the vodka's strength and other ingredient ratios.
What's the proof of the Spicy Fifty?
Given its ABV, the cocktail can range from 40 to 50 proofs.
What alcohol forms the base of the Spicy Fifty?
Vanilla vodka serves as the primary alcoholic base.
In which glass should you serve the Spicy Fifty?
It's traditionally served in a chilled martini glass.
What does the Spicy Fifty taste like?
It offers a unique blend of sweetness from honey and vanilla, tartness from lime, and a distinctive fiery kick from chili.
How do you typically serve the Spicy Fifty concerning ice?
The drink is usually shaken with ice and then strained into a glass, serving it "up" without ice in the final presentation.

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