A Cocktail With A Kick

Citrus vodka, lime, jalapeno and ginger make for a spicy seaside drink. (Hi from the beach!)
metrocurean photo

A few weeks ago while in Vail, Colo., for a wedding, I popped into Top Chef DC contestant Kelly Liken's eponymous restaurant for a bite at the bar. The fabulous bartender shook up one of the restaurant's signature cocktails, the spicy Clementine Kicker, and this heat lover's little heart went pitter-patter.

The drink gets its kick from muddled ginger and jalapeño. One sip and I knew I'd be making it at home, so I tried to commit the recipe to memory after watching the bartender shake up a few more. I picked up a bottle of Hangar One Buddha's Hand vodka to sub in for the clementine vodka used at Kelly Liken.

Citrus Kicker Cocktail
adapted from Kelly Liken's Clementine Kicker
makes one drink

1 1/2 ounces citrus vodka, like Hangar One's Buddha's Hand vodka
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
1 slice of fresh ginger
1 slice of jalapeño

Muddle the ginger and jalapeño together in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, lime juice, agave nectar and crushed ice. Shake well. Strain into a rocks glass or other short glass filled with ice.

Comments

RaeJean said…
This sounds great! Where can you buy agave nectar in DC?
7/29/2010 9:30 PM
Amanda said…
I see agave nectar at more and more stores these days. I get it at Whole Foods, near the honey.
8/02/2010 4:26 PM
Randy Matheson said…
Just made this great drink, posting the pics up on Madtini.com tonight. Thanks so much for sharing this. Cheers!
8/28/2010 7:24 PM
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