One less ingredient to add during your cocktail making session, Cointreau has brought its fiery take on the classic to the table.
From hot honey to chilli crisp, spicy flavours have become a staple on restaurant menus and supermarket shelves. Now, no one’s saying that a spicy margarita is a new concoction – in fact, it’s been a consistent order for many of us for years now.
However, could a spicy serve now be overtaking a more mainstream tipple? According to new research commissioned by Cointreau, almost half (48 per cent) of Brits say they’re more likely to try a bold or spicy drink when they’re out with friends, suggesting fiery serves are shifting from niche novelty to a more classic order.
Leading the charge is the spicy margarita (surprise, surprise).
Already one of the UK’s favourite cocktails, the margarita ranks as the second most popular choice among Gen Z and the number one cocktail for millennials – ahead of espresso martinis and summer spritzes that captivate our attention and tastebuds on longer, hazier summer days and nights.
Interest in making the drink at home is also booming, with Google searches for “simple spicy margarita recipe” rising by more than 350 per cent over the past year.
While the appeal of chilli might scare some, don’t fret just yet – no one’s suggesting you add a whole pack of chillies to the cocktail shaker. The research actually suggests most drinkers aren’t chasing eye-watering heat. Instead, three quarters of Brits say they prefer spice that’s balanced enough to let other flavours shine through, reflecting a wider shift towards more nuanced flavour combinations rather than extreme spice challenges.
It’s also proving to be quite the social trend. Friends are increasingly influencing what ends up in our glasses, with many drinkers saying they’re more willing to experiment with spicy cocktails when socialising. Among younger adults, ordering something with a kick is even becoming something of a statement. Of course, if you can handle the heat, that equals a bit of confidence!
Tapping into the growing appetite for heat, Cointreau has unveiled Cointreau Spicy, the French orange liqueur brand’s first-ever chilli-infused expression. When you need a drink (especially one with a kick), accessing it sooner (aka removing an extra ingredient step) is crucial.
Rather than relying on muddled fresh chillies or homemade infusions, the new 30 per cent ABV liqueur blends Cointreau’s signature sweet and bitter orange distillates with natural Bird’s Eye chilli maceration, jalapeño flavouring and a touch of cucumber for a fresh finish. The result is a warming heat that’s designed to complement, rather than overpower, classic cocktails.
Its biggest selling point? Making a spicy margarita has never been easier to recreate at home! Simply combine Cointreau Spicy with tequila and fresh lime juice – no slicing chillies or guessing the right level of heat required.
Not a fan of the spicy marg? Why not shake up your classic Paloma or Bloody Mary, to add a fiery kick to the start of your day.
Can’t wait to turn up the heat yourself? Grab yourself a bottle from retailers such as Sainsbury’s, currently discounted at Amazon, or drop into your nearest favourite bar now.
Spicy Margarita recipe
Ingredients
- 25 ml Cointreau Spicy
- 40 ml Tequila
- 20 ml Lime juice
- Tajín Salt rim
Method
- Make a Tajín salt rim
- Mix all ingredients into a shaker with ice
- Shake well and serve in a chilled glass with ice
Spicy Frozen Shot Recipe
Ingredients
- 40 ml Cointreau Spicy
- Lime Twist
- Tajín Salt rim
Method
- Put the short glass in the freezer the day before
- Make a Tajín salt rim on your glass
- Pour Cointreau Spicy into the short glass
- Garnish with a lime twist
