Spicy Fifty

A modern London cocktail that bends the vodka sour toward heat: vanilla vodka and elderflower cordial lend a soft, floral sweetness while fresh lime and honey keep it taut, and muddled red chili lays a clean burn underneath. Salvatore Calabrese created it around 2004–2005 as the signature pour for his Bar FIFTY in St James's, and the IBA adopted it into its New Era roster in 2020.

Classic

Ingredients

  • 1.75 ozVodka(vanilla-flavored)
  • 0.5 ozElderflower Cordial
  • 0.5 ozLime Juice(fresh)
  • 0.33 ozHoney Syrup
  • 2 pieceChili Pepper(thin slices, muddled)

Garnish: Chili Pepper

Preparation

Shaken · Coupe · None

  1. 1.

    muddle

    Lightly muddle the red chili slices in the shaker to release their heat.

  2. 2.

    add

    Add the vanilla vodka, elderflower cordial, fresh lime juice, and honey syrup.

  3. 3.

    shake

    Add ice and shake well until thoroughly chilled.

  4. 4.

    strain

    Double-strain into a chilled coupe to catch the chili and ice shards.

  5. 5.

    garnish

    Garnish with a slice of red chili pepper at the rim.

Flavor Profile

heat
28%
dilution
27%
sweet
18%
citrus
16%
floral
15%
viscosity
15%
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