Sriracha!

Sriracha is what I am talking about today. The chili pepper paste hot sauce derives its name from the coastal city of Si Racha in the Chonburi province of Thailand. This awesome sauce has been in the game since 1930 and although the rumor mill says they have to close their doors for good like Public Enemy use to rap "Don't believe the hype!" This company ain't going nowhere anytime soon. In fact the Lay's Company has recently come out with a Sriracha potato chip even.

Now you may be asking yourself what business does a Thia hot sauce have in a cocktail? The answer is flavor amplification. Yes a little kick of spice in some cases. Although in most cocktails I make using the "Rooster Sauce" I use it to really bring out the natural flavors I am trying to establish in the cocktail. This will also give your cocktail layers. Layers means there will be more than one flavor coming at the consumer in sort of waves. Whenever I am asked "what is that different flavor I am tasting in this?" When the answer is Sriracha. They are completely surprised. Most of them never thought to use hot sauce especially one with such a complex flavor profile. Even better is when I tell them I am about to use hot sauce in their cocktail and they are not a fan of spicy food. They almost break into a panic till they get a sip. The hot sauce here only brings up the sweetness through the fruit of the chili. 

* Side note: The difference between knowledge and wisdom... Knowledge is knowing a chili is a fruit. Wisdom is never putting them in a fruit salad.

So here are a few cocktails using this miracle sauce. Some are made to feel the kick others to tickle your sweet tooth. Enjoy! 

The Cocky Rooster Spicy kick to this one!

I work for a brew pub and we have 2 brews perfect for this. The Hidden Cove Brewery out of Wells, Maine boasts the Summer Honey Ale and the Moonstruck Belgian White both of these style beers would fit the bill. 

1 Pint of Beer (Summer or Belgian White)

Rim a frosty glass with salt

Splash of lime juice

2 or 3 hits of Sriracha

Garnish with a lime and float 2 Jalapeno pepper rings.

The Prickly Pickle Hot!

1.5 oz. Vodka

.5 oz. Ginger liqueur

Splash Simple Syrup

Splash Lemon juice

Splash Pickle juice

6 Dashes Sriracha

Shake with ice and serve

Garnish with a Dill pickle

Mango Chill

Combine in a blender

2 oz. Tequila Blanco

1 oz. Triple Sec

Scoop of ice

Meat of 1 Mango (peeled)

Tarragon

3 Dashes of Sriracha

Blend until smooth

Rim glass with salt and garnish with a Mango slice

Tequila Firecracker

1.5 oz. Silver Tequila

4 Large chunks of Watermelon

2 Dashes of Sriracha

Pepper flakes
.5 oz. Lemon Juice
Splash of Soda Water
Watermelon Slice for Garnish
Muddle watermelon, Sriracha, pepper flakes and lemon juice in mixing glass.
Add tequila and ice. Shake and strain into large rocks glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with a watermelon slice.

East End

2 oz. Gin

.5 oz. Maple Syrup

1 oz. Lemon juice

.25 oz. Rum

2 Dashes of Sriracha

2 Dashes of bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice and serve in a rocks glass

Peel of a lemon and warm to extract lemon oils & squeeze over cocktail wiping the rim.

 

Cheers!