This cocktail recipe was inspired by a drink I had at the Terminal Bar in Denver Colorado. This upscale bar, located in the renovated Central Station of downtown Denver, features a ritzy atmosphere while serving up interesting cocktails, great wines and local beers. Their cocktail list is impressive and unique with drinks that use coconut-jalapeno-hibiscus tea syrup, aloe and Green Chile vodka, to mention a few.

The original cocktail, that inspired the one I am sharing, used Green Chile vodka, avocado syrup and lime juice. It wasn’t spicy, but it had a great balance between sweet and savory. I loved the earthiness of this cocktail, but thought that adding a bit of spice would kick it up a notch and make it my own. I decided to swap the Green Chile vodka for plain vodka (why buy a flavored vodka just for one cocktail?) and rely on cayenne pepper to do the heavy flavor lifting.

The hardest challenge of creating this cocktail was finding a way to make an avocado syrup that was flavorful and worthwhile. I tried a few different processes but eventually landed on mashing the flesh and cooking it with the sugar and water. A beautiful, thick, flavorful syrup resulted from this process. Bright green in color and smooth in flavor, it was the perfect component for this drink.

 
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Spicy Avocado Martini | Zestful Kitchen

Spicy Avocado Martini

  • Yield: 1 martini 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ounce top shelf vodka (such as Titos)
  • ½ ounce avocado syrup (see recipe below)
  • ½ ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce lime flavored sparkling water (such as LaCroix)
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice cubes. Shake vigorously for a few seconds, strain liquid into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an additional pinch of cayenne and a lime wedge.

Notes

I like to serve this cocktail up, in a chilled martini glass. But it is also delicious served on the rocks in a short glass.

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
 
 
Avocado Simple Syrup
Makes 1 cup of simple syrup
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ avocado

Place water and sugar in a small saucepan. Remove pit and peel from avocado half and lightly mash. Add mashed avocado to sauce pan with sugar and water.

Place pan over medium heat and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow syrup to cool completely.

Once cooled, pour syrup through a fine mesh strainer, dispose left over avocado.

Store refrigerated, in an air-tight container for up to a month. Shake before using, it tends to separate after sitting.

 

Share it with the world

Pin

About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

Learn More

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star