Spicy Margarita Fans, Guy Fieri Has a Cocktail for You

The classic Margarita is an endlessly riffable drink whose simple ratio of sweet, sour, and spirit components can be customized with an endless array of ingredients. Celebrity chef, restauranteur, and renowned expert of putting things in his mouth Guy Fieri contributes this take on the iconic Spicy Margarita. The standard combination of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice is bolstered by a few extra ingredients and a “more is more” approach to flavor.

Fieri is no stranger to the drinks world, having previously founded Sonoma-based Hunt & Ryde Winery, before launching Santo Tequila with fellow celebrity Sammy Hagar, best known for his work with rock band Van Halen. The partnership actually represents Hagar’s second foray into agave-based spirits, having previously founded Cabo Wabo Tequila in the late 1990s, before selling the wildly successful brand to Gruppo Campari in 2010. — Dylan Garret

Notes From the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

What you’re getting with Fieri’s creation is a drink in which each ingredient has something of a companion component that acts as a flavor intensifier. You’ll need triple sec as well as freshly squeezed orange juice, which helps to impart more of a natural citrus flavor than what’s provided by orange liqueur alone. Agave syrup acts as an additional sweetener but also accentuates the tequila’s agave-forward notes. Lime acts to balance sugar, but so does naturally acidic pineapple, which keeps the drink tart and refreshing without becoming cloying.

To bring the spice, use a combination of habanero and ginger beer to play off each other and create a dual effect of both up-front and back-of-the-throat heat. Fieri prefers to create his habanero puree “seeds and all,” though our recipe below calls for the pepper to be roasted and de-seeded to create a less fiery drink. However, feel free to add in seeds to increase the heat, and tailor the puree to your own tastes.