15 Best Ancho Reyes Cocktails to Turn up the Heat

May 08, 2023 by Anna-Bet Stemmet

Ancho Reyes Original vs Ancho Reyes Verde
1. Tierra del Fuego
2. Ancho Reyes Old Fashioned
3. Bee Sting
4. Spicy Mexican Mule
5. Spicy Verde Margarita
6. Oaxacan Negroni
7. Ancho Reyes Daiquiri
8. Spicy Manhattan
9. Verde Gimlet
10. Spicy Pineapple Margarita
11. Espresso Martini with Ancho Reyes
12. Maria Verde
13. Ancho Chile Watermelon Cocktail

Keen to try an Ancho Reyes cocktail? We don’t blame you! Ancho Reyes Mexican Chile Liqueur elevates drinks and cocktails with a sweet and spicy touch, paying homage to the original homemade liqueurs from Puebla, Mexico known as menjurjes.

Steeped in flavorful tradition, this singular liqueur invites you on an olfactory journey that follows poblano chiles from the earth to the bottle, from the very first sip.

Ancho Reyes Original vs Ancho Reyes Verde

Close up top view of green and red chillies

Ancho Reyes Original is meticulously crafted using only the finest ancho chiles (sun-dried peppers), ensuring unparalleled quality. These chiles are carefully selected, harvested, and then sent to the manufacturing facility to undergo a 6-month maceration process. Finally, each bottle is labeled and bottled by hand, resulting in a truly unique and exceptional liqueur.

Ancho Reyes Verde liqueur, on the other hand, is made using fresh poblano chiles, resulting in a liqueur that’s lighter and more herbaceous. Its smooth and well-rounded flavor profile is gentle and yielding, featuring a delightful sweetness and smoky aftertaste.

Gorgeous to enjoy neat or chilled, both versatile liqueurs also make a fantastic addition to any complex cocktail or tall drink. Keen to take these fascinating Mexican liqueurs for a spin? Here are a few of our favorite Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur cocktails to try at home.

1. Tierra del Fuego

Arguably one of the most popular Ancho Reyes cocktails the world over, the Tierra del Fuego is a Campari cocktail every heat-seeking chili lover should try. Combine 1 oz Campari, 1 oz Ancho Reyes Original, 0.5 oz Montelobos Espadin mezcal, 0.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco and 6 dashes of bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until chilled, strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice, and garnish with orange peel.

2. Ancho Reyes Old Fashioned

Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur cocktails do not get any more iconic than the Ancho Reyes Old Fashioned. This fiery riff on the classic Old Fashioned is one to try if you love a slow sipper. Combine 1 oz Ancho Reyes Original, 1 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 2 dashes bitters, and 2 dashes orange bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist.

3. Bee Sting

If you enjoy the sweet zing of a Bee’s Knees cocktail, we highly recommend the Bee Sting, which comes to the party with a bit of a bite. In a shaker, combine 2 oz Bulldog Gin, 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes Original, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.75 oz honey syrup with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into your glass and garnish with a lemon slice.

4. Spicy Mexican Mule

The Spicy Mexican Mule has exactly the right amount of kick. Fill a copper mule mug with ice. Add 1 oz Ancho Reyes Original and 1 oz fresh lime juice. Gently pour 3 oz ginger beer on top and stir lightly. Garnish with a fresh lime slice and serve.

5. Spicy Verde Margarita

Ancho Reyes Verde cocktails do not come any more enticing than the Spicy Verde Margarita. Combine 1 oz Ancho Reyes Verde, 1 oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz agave nectar in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice with a salted rim. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Learn more: A Beginner’s Guide to the Different Types of Tequila

6. Oaxacan Negroni

The sleek and stylish Negroni is always a class act, and its ambrosial cousin the Spicy Negroni is certainly no exception. Combine 1 oz Montelobos Espadin mezcal, 0.75 oz Campari, 0.75 oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso, 0.25 oz Ancho Reyes Original and 2 drops of bitters to a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

7. Ancho Reyes Daiquiri

On a sweltering summer’s day, nothing is quite as refreshing as a lime-based quencher, and we are a little bit in love with this Ancho Reyes Daiquiri. Combine 2 oz Ancho Reyes Original, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.

8. Spicy Manhattan

The Manhattan is one of those cocktails that have as many comebacks as Cher and will always be a firm favorite on the DIY drinks scene. If you like a bit of heat, put this Spicy Manhattan on your must-try list.

Combine 1.5 oz Wild Turkey Rye Whiskey, 1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso, 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes Original, and 2 dashes of bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled, and strain into a serving glass. Garnish with two Luxardo cherries if you’re feeling extra fancy.

9. Verde Gimlet

The classic Gimlet is a drink rich in aromas and scents, and this recipe adds a third spicy element, with a kiss of greenery on the close. Make a Verde Gimlet by adding 1 oz Ancho Reyes Verde, 1 oz Bulldog Gin, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty then strain through a fine mesh strainer into a coupe glass. Garnish with a thinly sliced cucumber wheel and serve

10. Spicy Pineapple Margarita

Pineapple juice cocktails are tailor-made for sultry climates, and the Spicy Margarita adds an irresistible sting to the typically sweet equation. Combine 0.75 oz Ancho Reyes Original, 0.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado, 0.75 oz Grand Marnier, 1 oz agave nectar, and 6 oz of pineapple juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with lime juice and a mixture of chili powder and salt, over fresh ice.

11. Espresso Martini with Ancho Reyes

Yes, please! As if the iconic Espresso Martini was not captivating enough, we’re now going to invite you to push out the boat completely and add a naughty measure of Ancho Reyes to the mix. Follow our standard recipe and add 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes for an extra bit of zing.

12. Maria Verde

No list of cocktails with Ancho Reyes would be complete without the beguiling Maria Verde. Fill a Collins glass with ice, then add 1 oz Ancho Reyes Verde, and 1 oz SKYY Vodka. Slowly pour over Maria Verde mix (follow this link for the recipe). Stir and garnish with pickled onion and jalapeño.

13. Ancho Chile Watermelon Cocktail

When the weather is toasty and everything smells of sunscreen and ocean breezes, it’s time to pour some watermelon cocktails, honey! Next time you make a batch of fresh watermelon juice, do yourself a favor and make an Ancho Chile Watermelon Cocktail.

Combine 2 oz Ancho Reyes Original, 1 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz honey syrup, and 3 oz of watermelon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty, and strain into a chilled ice-filled cocktail glass rimmed with lime juice and a mixture of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Add a small wedge of fresh watermelon as garnish and serve.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur is a spirit made from the infusion of Ancho chiles (sun-dried poblano peppers), which are native to Puebla, Mexico. The liqueur has a rich and complex flavor profile, with a distinctive combination of sweetness, smokiness, and spiciness. Ancho Reyes Original is made using ancho chiles, which are macerated for six months to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Ancho Reyes Verde, on the other hand, is made using fresh poblano peppers, resulting in a lighter and more herbaceous flavor. Both liqueurs are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a key ingredient in cocktails.

Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur has a unique and complex flavor profile that blends the sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors of ancho chili peppers. The taste is characterized by a complex warmth, followed by sweet spices followed by a deep, smoky flavor and a spicy kick that lingers on the palate. The Ancho Reyes Verde variety is lighter and more herbaceous, with a fresher and slightly more citrusy flavor profile. Overall, Ancho Reyes is a versatile spirit that can be enjoyed on its own, on the rocks, or used as a key ingredient in cocktails to add a depth of flavor and complexity.