15 Spicy Ancho Reyes Cocktails to Turn Up the Heat

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

Ancho Reyes Original (opens in new window) 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 (opens in new window) 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. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Campari (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Ancho Reyes Original (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Montelobos Espadín Mezcal (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco (opens in new window)

• 6 dashes Bitters

• Orange peel (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Campari, Ancho Reyes, mezcal, tequila, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir until well chilled

3. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice

4. Garnish with an orange peel

5. Serve

The smoky, rich chili warmth of Ancho Reyes Original (opens in new window) perfectly complements the bright, citrusy profile of a blanco tequila like Espolòn (opens in new window). The tequila’s crisp, clean notes balance the earthy spice of Ancho Reyes, setting the scene for a beautifully layered flavor experience. We recommend keeping your tequila in the freezer for a delightfully icy sip.

2. Ancho Reyes Old Fashioned

Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur cocktails do not get any more iconic than the Ancho Reyes Old Fashioned (opens in new window). This fiery riff on the classic Old Fashioned is one to try if you love a slow sipper. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 1 oz Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• 2 dashes Bitters

• 2 dashes Orange bitters

• Orange twist (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Ancho Reyes, bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, and orange bitters to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir until chilled

3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice

4. Garnish with an orange twist

5. Serve

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. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz Bulldog Gin

• 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 0.75 oz Lemon juice (fresh)

• 0.75 oz Honey syrup

• Lemon slice (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Bulldog Gin, Ancho Reyes, lemon juice, and honey syrup to a shaker with ice

2. Shake vigorously until chilled

3. Strain into a serving glass

4. Garnish with a lemon slice

5. Serve

4. Spicy Mexican Mule

The Spicy Mexican Mule (opens in new window) has exactly the right amount of kick. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 3 oz Ginger beer

• Lime slice (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a copper mule mug with ice

2. Add Ancho Reyes and lime juice

3. Gently pour ginger beer on top

4. Stir lightly to combine

5. Garnish with a lime slice

6. Serve

5. Spicy Verde Margarita

Ancho Reyes Verde cocktails do not come any more enticing than the Spicy Verde Margarita (opens in new window). 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Ancho Reyes Verde (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Agave nectar

• Lime wheel (for garnish)

• Salt (for rim)

• Ice

Method

1. Rim a rocks glass with salt and fill with fresh ice

2. Add Ancho Reyes Verde, tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar to a shaker with ice

3. Shake well until chilled

4. Strain into the prepared glass

5. Garnish with a lime wheel

6. Serve

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. The Oaxacan Negroni is smoky, bittersweet, and complex. It brings a bold, adventurous edge to the classic, with layers of warmth and intrigue that linger. Think of it as the cocktail equivalent of a sunset with attitude—sophisticated, daring, and unforgettable.

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 (opens in new window).  

Ingredients

• 2 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• Lime wheel (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Ancho Reyes, lime juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice

2. Shake well until chilled

3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass

4. Garnish with a lime wheel

5. Serve

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.  

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Wild Turkey Rye Whiskey (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Rosso (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 2 dashes Bitters

• 2 Luxardo cherries (for garnish, optional)

• Ice

Method

1. Add rye whiskey, vermouth, Ancho Reyes, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice

2. Stir until well chilled

3. Strain into a serving glass

4. Garnish with two Luxardo cherries if desired

5. Serve

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 (opens in new window) to enjoy on a summery day. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Ancho Reyes Verde

• 1 oz Bulldog Gin

• 1 oz Lime juice (fresh)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• Cucumber wheel (thinly sliced, for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add Ancho Reyes Verde, Bulldog Gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice

2. Shake until frosty

3. Fine strain into a coupe glass

4. Garnish with a cucumber wheel

5. 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. 

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 0.5 oz Espolòn Tequila Reposado

• 0.75 oz Grand Marnier (opens in new window)

• 1 oz Agave nectar

• 6 oz Pineapple juice

• Chili powder and salt mixture (for rim)

• Lime juice (for rim)

• Ice

Method

1. Rim a chilled cocktail glass with lime juice and dip it into a chili powder and salt mixture

2. Add Ancho Reyes Original, Espolòn Tequila Reposado, Grand Marnier, agave nectar, and pineapple juice to a cocktail shaker with ice

3. Shake until frosty

4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice

5. Serve

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. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz SKYY Vodka (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Coffee liqueur

• 1 oz Espresso (freshly brewed and cooled)

• 0.5 oz Simple syrup

• 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 3 Coffee beans (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice

2. Shake for 30 seconds until properly chilled

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass

4. Garnish with three coffee beans

5. Serve

12. Maria Verde

A bold and spicy sipper that brings Mexican tradition to life, the Maria Verde (opens in new window) combines Ancho Reyes Verde with a fresh, zesty house-made mix for a cocktail that’s as vibrant as it is fiery.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Ancho Reyes Verde

• 1.5 oz SKYY Vodka

• 5 oz Maria Verde Mix*

• Pickled onion (for garnish)

• Pickled jalapeño (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Fill a Collins glass with ice

2. Add Ancho Reyes Verde and SKYY Vodka

3. Slowly pour in Maria Verde Mix

4. Stir gently

5. Garnish with a pickled onion and pickled jalapeño

6. Serve

Maria Verde Mix*

Ingredients

• 1 Large English cucumber (peeled and seeded)

• 0.5 Avocado

• 1 Rib celery

• 1 Thin wheel white onion

• 0.5 Serrano chili (seeded and de-pithed)

• 4 oz Water

• 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice

• 1 tsp Sugar

• 1 tsp Celery salt

• 0.5 oz Champagne vinegar

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a blender and purée until smooth

2. Strain through a mesh strainer

3. Use in your Maria Verde cocktail

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. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz Ancho Reyes Original

• 1 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 1 oz Lime juice

• 1 oz Honey syrup

• 3 oz Watermelon juice

• Chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt mixture (for rim)

• Lime juice (for rim)

• Watermelon wedge (for garnish)

• Ice

Method

1. Rim a chilled cocktail glass with lime juice, then dip into a chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt mixture

2. Add Ancho Reyes Original, Espolòn Tequila Blanco, lime juice, honey syrup, and watermelon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice

3. Shake until frosty

4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice

5. Garnish with a watermelon wedge

6. Serve

Read next: Easy Syrup Variations for Cocktail Making