Calabrian Sunset

Sweet citrus meets spicy heat in this bold, sunset-hued cocktail. With tequila, grapefruit, chili syrup, and blood orange fizz, it’s fiery, fizzy, and just the right amount of dramatic, like golden hour in a glass.

Yield: 1 cocktail

2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)

¾ oz Calabrian chili–infused simple syrup

1½ oz fresh grapefruit juice

Sparkling blood orange soda, to top (like Sanpellegrino or similar)

Ice

Grapefruit slice or chili garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1.        Fill a shaker with tequila, grapefruit juice, and Calabrian chili syrup.

2.        Shake with ice until chilled.

3.        Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

4.        Top with sparkling blood orange soda.

5.        Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or a Calabrian chili if you’re feeling spicy.

Calabrian Chili Simple Syrup

½ cup sugar

½ cup water

1–2 tsp Calabrian chili paste (or 1 chopped dried chili)

1.        In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, and chili paste.

2.        Bring to a simmer until sugar dissolves. Let steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain and cool. Store in fridge up to 1 week.