Mixing chocolate and hot pepper together is trendy for a reason: it’s astoundingly delicious. The Red Hot Santa Tini mixes chili pepper infused vodka with Godiva chocolate liqueur, whipping cream and a surprising rim of cocoa and chili powder.
Tasting Profile
This drink is spicy-sweet like a chocolate bar flavored with hot pepper. The sweet and spice enhance each other, even more so than salty-sweet combinations.
With your first sip, you’ll taste the smooth, velvety richness of Godiva chocolate liqueur. Next comes the heat from the chili-infused vodka.
The rim of cocoa powder and cayenne pepper adds an exciting twist. You’ll get a hint of bitterness that perfectly balances the sweetness of the chocolate.
With each sip of this drink, the heat builds subtly, leaving you with a delightful warmth but never overpowering your senses. And the sweetened whipping cream adds a rich and satisfying finish.
Key Ingredients
Chili-Infused Vodka
The homemade chili-infused vodka is easy to make: just drop a handful of Thai chili peppers into a bottle of vodka and let it steep for three to five days.
The result? A vibrant spirit that packs a spicy punch! The heat of the Thai chilies combined with the vodka creates a unique kick that complements the rich chocolate perfectly.
What About Guests Who Don’t Love Spice?
Of course, for guests who don’t like spice, you can just use regular vodka instead of pepper-infused.
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
Next up is Godiva chocolate liqueur, which adds that indulgent chocolate flavor. Made with real Godiva chocolate, it brings a rich essence to the cocktail that balances beautifully with the spiciness of the vodka.
Cocoa Powder and Cayenne Pepper
For extra flair, dust the rim of the glass with a mix of cocoa powder and cayenne pepper. This not only looks stunning but also deepens the chocolate notes and adds even more spice to the drink’s profile.
Whipping Cream
This garnish soften the heat from the chili-infused vodka, and gives the drink a dreamy texture that lingers on your palate.
More on the Chili-Infused Vodka
The trick with the chili-infused vodka is figuring out the right level of infusion for your taste buds. I used small red chili peppers – like you see in the picture. After about three days, the vodka had a medium amount of spicy pepper flavor.
If you like it stronger, let it infuse for five days. You can always weaken it by adding some vodka to it (which is a good tip if you’re serving guests with varying levels of spice tolerance).
If you like it nuclear, leave it for six to seven days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it chilled in a classic martini glass with that stunning cocoa-cayenne rim. For an extra festive touch, float a small Thai chili pepper on top of the whipped cream – this not only looks great but also hints at the spicy surprise inside!
Make sure that both your chili-infused vodka and cocktail shaker are nice and cold before mixing. When you shake it all together with ice, you’ll create a perfectly chilled drink.
Whether you’re celebrating with family or friends, or simply treating yourself after a long day, the Red Hot Santa ‘Tini offers a fun way to embrace the holiday spirit.
Food Pairings
This cocktail shines on its own but can be even better when enjoyed alongside some scrumptious bites.
For dessert lovers, think rich treats like warm brownies, creamy cheesecake, or decadent chocolate lava cake. The combination of sweet chocolate and spicy heat creates a flavor explosion that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
You can also serve it with spicy or smoked meats. Grilled chicken with chili-lime glaze or barbecue ribs can stand up to the bold flavors of the drink while creating an exciting contrast.
And for those festive gatherings, don’t forget about holiday hors d’oeuvres! Spiced nuts, bacon-wrapped dates, or an elegant cheese board can enhance your drinking experience and keep everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces chili-infused vodka (see below)
- 2 ounces Godiva chocolate liqueur
- Cocoa powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Sweetened whipping cream
- One small Thai chili pepper
Chili Infused Vodka
- Handful of Thai chili peppers
- Vodka
Instructions
Chili-infused Vodka
- Put a handful of Thai chili peppers into a bottle of vodka.
- Let it sit for 3 days.
- Taste it to test the heat level.
- If you’re happy, you’re done. If you want it spicier, let it continue to infuse for up to 5 days.
- If it’s too hot now, take the peppers out, transfer to another container, and add more vodka.
The Drink
- Mix some cocoa powder together with a pinch of cayenne pepper on a saucer or rimmer dish.
- Rim a chilled martini glass with it.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the chili infused vodka and chocolate liqueur.
- Shake until chilled.
- Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass.
- Top it off with the whipping cream
- Garnish by floating the chili pepper on top of the cream.
