Jalapeño-Infused Vodka Recipe for Spicy Cocktails

Ingredients
- 2 fresh jalapeños, seeded and sliced
- 750mL vodka
- Two large clean bottles or jars
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainer
- Funnel
Instructions
- Carefully cut two jalapeños in half, removing the seeds.
- Slice the two halves.
- In a large clean bottle or jar, add the jalapeño slices and vodka.
- Cap the bottle or jars and gently swirl to mix.
- Store the mix in a cool, dark place for approximately 3 to 4 days, giving the container a swirl each day.
- After several days, sample by pouring the infusion into a glass. If you want more heat, allow the jalapeño infusion to steep longer.
- If there's enough flavor and heat for you, carefully remove the jalapeño slices and discard.
- Funnel the infused vodka into the second clean bottle, filtering with the cheesecloth.
- Seal. The vodka can be used right away.
You can store unused vodka tightly sealed in a cool, dark place for approximately one to two years before the quality diminishes. But take care to discard when the flavor starts to fade or tastes "off."
Variations of Jalapeño-Infused Vodka
Balance your infused vodka with sweet or fruity notes for a well-rounded flavor. But don't worry; you have options that can keep it earthy and savory.
- To counter the punchy jalapeño notes, add a cup to cup and a half of peeled and chopped pineapple. Stick with the tropical touch and add a cup of chopped coconut.
- Give it a citrus flair by adding one to two whole sliced lemons or limes or a whole sliced orange.
- Include juicy berry flavors by including half to a full cup of halved raspberries or hulled and sliced strawberries.
- A quarter to a half cup of honey adds creates a balance of sweet to spicy.
- A few other pepper options include one to three habanero peppers or poblanos, deseeded and sliced, or two to three clean ancho chiles.
Jalapeño-Infused Vodka Cocktails
Craft a tasty jalapeño vodka cocktail. You can pack as much, or little, heat as your fiery heart desires.
Pineapple Smash

Nothing beats a refreshing smash cocktail, especially when there's a little heat to tie it all together.
Ingredients
- 2-3 lime wedges
- 1-2 orange wedges
- 2 ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel, mint sprig, and pineapple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle lime and orange wedges with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, jalapeño vodka, pineapple juice, and remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel, mint sprig, and pineapple wedge.
Spicy Hot Chocolate

Beat the chill with a warm mug of hot chocolate to get the blood flow going and a little jalapeño vodka to warm you up from the inside out.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- 4 ounces prepared hot chocolate
- ½ ounce Irish cream
- Marshmallows for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In prepared mug, add jalapeño vodka, hot chocolate, and Irish cream.
- Carefully stir to mix.
- Garnish with marshmallows.
Bloody Mary Wake-Up

This Bloody Mary doesn't wake you up with coffee, but it wakes you up by the heat that builds sip after sip.
Ingredients
- 2½ ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- ¾ ounce pickle juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 dashes Italian seasoning
- Ice
- Celery stick and cucumber slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, jalapeño vodka, tomato juice, pickle juice, lemon juice, lime juice, Worcestershire, and Italian seasoning.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with celery stick and cucumber slice.
Jalapeño Lemonade

There's no iconic flavor trio quite like sweet, spicy, and sour. This cocktail hits all the notes in a memorable way.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces jalapeño-infused vodka
- 4 ounces lemonade
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, jalapeño vodka, lemonade, and elderflower liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Mixers for Jalapeño Vodka Drinks
Consider this list of mixers for making your own jalapeño vodka drink that'll absolutely pop.
- Plain club soda
- Flavored club soda, such as lemon, lime, orange, coconut, berry, or vanilla
- Margarita mix
- Lime juice
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Limeade
- Lemonade
- Orange liqueur
- Simple syrup
- Agave
- Coconut water
Popping Jalapeño-Infused Vodka
Jalapeño isn't just for popper appetizers anymore. Add a little zest, a little pep, and a little kick to classic and modern cocktails. Anything made with jalapeño vodka is worthy of several flame emojis.