Jalapeño Manhattan Recipe

Prepare jalapeño

Wash the jalapeño. Halve lengthwise and scrape out seeds if you prefer milder heat; leave seeds for spicier syrup. Slice into rounds about 1/8–1/4 inch thick.

Make syrup

Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar fully dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer (do not boil vigorously).

Infuse

Add sliced jalapeño to the saucepan, reduce heat to low, and simmer very gently for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on desired heat level (longer = hotter).

Strain and cool

Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container, pressing gently to extract flavor. Discard solids. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Yields about 6 ounces; keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Chill mixing glass and coupe

Place ice into a mixing glass and chill the serving glass (coupe or martini) or fill the coupe with ice and set aside while you mix.

Measure ingredients

Add 2 oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 0.25 oz jalapeño-infused simple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters into the mixing glass filled with ice.

Stir

Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 20–30 full rotations) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted (about 20% dilution). Stirring keeps the drink clear and silky.

Strain

Discard ice from the serving glass if used to chill. Double-strain the mixed cocktail into the chilled coupe or martini glass using a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer to remove any small ice shards or jalapeño particulates.

Garnish and finish

Skewer a cherry and place it in the drink. Float a thin slice of jalapeño on top for aroma and a hint of heat. Optionally express an orange peel over the surface and rim the glass with the oils for a bright citrus note, then discard or place the peel as garnish.

Adjust heat (optional)

If you want more immediate jalapeño presence, gently muddle an additional jalapeño slice in the mixing glass before adding spirits (discard the muddled slice after stirring), or add up to 0.25 oz more jalapeño syrup to taste.