Fiery Chipotle Pineapple Martini

I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly on the hunt for innovative cocktail ideas. While the classics are fantastic and often my first choice, I enjoy experimenting a little. If I encounter something fresh and unique on a menu during my travels, I’m likely to give it a shot. I might even try to recreate it when I return home.

As you may recall, I had the chance to embark on a cruise with Dinogo a few weeks ago. While aboard, there were countless activities to enjoy. Typically, around 4 or 5 PM (after a day basking in the sun), I would return to my cabin to freshen up for the evening. Then, I’d head to one of the ship’s bars for a pre-dinner drink. The ship features numerous bars catering to diverse tastes and vibes, but I often settle into one. On this particular trip, I developed a fondness for the Alchemy Bar.

The Alchemy Bar is not your typical watering hole. True to its name, it boasts a pharmacy-inspired theme, promising “relief for what ails” you. Specialty cocktails are its specialty; there’s no beer or soda in sight. What I appreciated most about the bar was the distinctive touches they incorporate into their cocktails. During my visit, I witnessed rosemary and cinnamon sticks set ablaze, orange peel oils ignited over a drink, and mint leaves being smacked (we’ll get into that shortly).

Cocktails as a form of art! I'm truly impressed. This quickly became my favorite spot. And what did I choose to drink? The Fiery Chipotle Pineapple Martini.

After just one sip, I was completely captivated. The blend of spicy kick, sweet pineapple, and fresh mint was pure Flavortown bliss!

I inquired with the bartender about the creation of this cocktail. A couple of essential ingredients include jalapeño-infused vodka and chipotle pineapple syrup. When mixed with several other delightful components, this cocktail came to life.

A few weeks after my trip, I was excited to attempt making this cocktail myself. I prepared the spicy vodka using jalapeños. (I think the Alchemy Bar used habaneros.) I discovered that adding three jalapeños, with the seeds removed, to a bottle of vodka provided a perfect amount of heat. If you prefer it extra spicy, feel free to add more peppers, or use regular vodka to tone down the spiciness. I let my vodka steep for a few days to absorb the jalapeño flavor.

I also came across this Chipotle Pineapple syrup by Monin, which I later found out is what Dinogo uses.

Let’s not overlook the garnish. As I mentioned, the Alchemy Bar is known for its unique touches. For this cocktail, a mint leaf is placed in the palm of one hand and smacked with the other. It may sound a bit quirky, but it creates a fun and memorable presentation. Additionally, smacking the mint leaf releases oils that enhance the cocktail’s flavor.

With all my ingredients gathered, I was finally set to mix up my very own Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini!

Fiery Chipotle Pineapple Martini

• 2 ounces of jalapeño-infused vodka
• 1 ounce of chipotle pineapple syrup
• 1 ounce of pineapple juice
• 1/2 ounce of simple syrup
• 6-8 mint leaves

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the vodka, chipotle pineapple syrup, pineapple juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves (set aside one leaf for garnish). Shake it well.

Strain the mixture into a martini glass. For garnish, smack the reserved mint leaf between your palms and place it on top of the cocktail.

I wholeheartedly recommend trying this cocktail. I’m confident you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. In fact, I managed to persuade quite a few people to sample it while on the ship, and they were just as impressed.