Jalapeno Simple Syrup Margarita

Just like with Rosemary Simple Syrup, Jalapeno Simple Syrup can be used in so many ways. My favorite, though, is in a margarita. It's just so, so, so, so... good. I mean, really good. I just love the way the sweet and spicy qualities of the syrup blend with the citrus in the margarita. Kind of like eating an orange and sucking on a Red Hot at the same time (ooh, wait, maybe that doesn't sound so good).

Get out the castanets, baby, it's about to get ca-razy.

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Jalapeno Simple Syrup
Makes One Cup
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 jalapeno peppers, sliced thin

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat until all sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer to three to four minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool for five minutes. The syrup will be slightly greenish-blue. Strain out the pepper slices and store in an airtight container. Jalapeno simple syrup will last in the refrigerator for up to three months (if you add a splash of vodka, it will last upwards of six months).

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Spicy Margaritas
Makes One Cocktail

Kosher salt or white sugar
Lime zest
Ice cubes
2 ounces blanco tequila*
1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
1/2 ounce jalapeno simple syrup

1. On a small plate, combine a pinch of lime zest with either the sugar or salt (or both - your preference). Rub a wedge of lime around the rim of an old-fashioned glass, then dip the rim of the glass at a 45-degree angle into the sugar/salt/lime zest mixture (for and extra spicy kick, you could also rub a little jalapeno pepper on the rim of the glass... if you're one of those people who like the hurts so good kind of pain)

2. Fill a Boston shaker with ice, then add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and jalapeno simple syrup. Shake until the shaker is frosty on the outside (about 30 seconds)

3. Place three ice cubes in the old-fashioned glass, then strain the margarita into the glass. Garnish with a lime sprig. Enjoy!!

* A good margarita is all in the details. Go for a quality 100% pure blue agave blanco or silver tequila. Patron Silver is good on the higher-end of price. 1800 brand tequila is also a winner at a lower price point.

**To make a pitcher of cocktails, increase the ingredients to 2 cups of tequila, 1 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup of orange liqueur, and 1/2 cup of jalapeno simple syrup. Stir together with ice in a large pitcher and pour into 8 glasses. 

Rosemary Simple Syrup

I love to cook and bake, but sometimes my favorite things to make are really simple and easy. Things like compound butters and simple syrups. I love that a few really great, delicious ingredients can come together to create a new ingredient that can be used in so many ways. Most people think simple syrups are good only for cocktails, but I like to use them with club soda, or in dressings, frostings/icings, sauces, and other dips. I always have some in the fridge to perk up my cooking endeavors (I've been enjoying a lemon-coriander simple syrup from Braden lately... it's delicious with Bourbon).

I recently made Rosemary Simple Syrup and Jalapeno Simple Syrup for a From Scratch Club food swap. The rosemary variety is the not-so-secret ingredient to one of my favorite cocktails (see below). Get creative with this syrup recipe or use it as a starting point to create your own.

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Rosemary Simple Syrup
Makes 1.5 cups

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients and cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat until all sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to medium and allow to simmer to three to four minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and allow to cool for five minutes. The syrup will be slightly green. Strain out rosemary and store in an airtight container. Rosemary simple syrup will last in the refrigerator for up to three months (if you add a splash of vodka, it will last upwards of six months).

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Rosie Collins
Makes one cocktail
Originally posted October 13, 2011 on From Scratch Club

2 ounces dry Gin
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce rosemary simple syrup
Ice
Club soda
Spring of rosemary (for garnish)

Fill a Collins glass three-quarters of the way full with quality ice. Add gin (I am partial to Brokers, though you could try a local option, too), lemon, and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Top with club soda and garnish with a spring of rosemary. Enjoy!