Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyI don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for creative cocktail ideas. While the standards are amazing and often my go-tos, I do like to mix things up a bit. If I see something new and different on the menu when I’m traveling, I’ll likely give it a try. I just may want to duplicate it when I get home.
As you know, I got the opportunity to set sail with Carnival a few weeks ago. While on the ship, there were myriad things to do. Usually, around 4 or 5 o’clock in the afternoon (after a day of sun and relaxation), I would make my way back to my room and get changed for the evening, Then I would take my sun-burnt, um, I mean beautifully tanned, self to one of the bars on the ship for a pre-dinner cocktail. While the ship has lots of bars to suit various tastes and personalities, I usually find one and stick with it. On this particular vacation, I fell in love with the Alchemy Bar.
The Alchemy Bar isn’t your average bar. As the name suggests, it has sort of a pharmacy theme and offers “relief for what ails” you. Specialty cocktails are their forte; no beer or soda in sight. What I loved most about the bar, however, was the unique flourishes they add to their cocktails. While I was there, I saw rosemary and cinnamon sticks lit on fire, the oils from an orange peel burnt over a cocktail, and smacked mint (We will get to that one in a second.)
Cocktails as an art form! Color me impressed. This quickly became the place for me. And my drink of choice? The Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini.
After just one sip, I was hooked. The combination of spicy heat, sweet pineapple, and fresh mint was Flavortown Heaven!
I asked the bartender how the cocktail came together. A couple key ingredients are jalapeño pepper infused vodka and chipotle pineapple syrup. Mixed with a few other flavorful ingredients, this cocktail was born.
A few weeks following my trip, I was eager to try my hand at making this drink. I made the spicy vodka using jalapeños. (I believe Alchemy Bar used habaneros.) I found that adding three jalapeños with the seeds removed to one bottle of vodka produced plenty of spicy kick. You can certainly add more peppers if you like things extra hot or just use traditional vodka to cut back on the heat. I let my vodka sit for a few days to soak in the jalapeño flavor.
I also found this Chipotle Pineapple syrup from Monin, which I later learned is the syrup that Carnival uses.
Let’s not forget about the garnish. As I mentioned, Alchemy Bar seems to be famous for their flourishes. For this particular cocktail, a leaf of mint is placed on the palm of one hand and is smacked with the palm of the other hand. It might seem a little silly, but it makes for an audible and memorable presentation. Plus, smacking the mint leaf releases oils which help to flavor the cocktail.
Now, with all my ingredients assembled, I was ready to shake up my own Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini!
I highly recommend giving this cocktail a try. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do. In fact, I convinced quite a few people to try it while on the ship, and they were equally impressed.
Now, I’m off to sip my martini and pretend I’m sailing on the Caribbean again. Cheers!
More Martini Recipe You May Enjoy
Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka flavored with jalapeños
- 1 ounce chipotle pineapple syrup
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 6-8 mint leaves
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, chipotle pineapple syrup, pineapple juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves (Reserve one leaf for garnish.). Shake vigorously.
- Strain into a martini glass. To garnish, smack the reserved mint leaf between your palms, and float it on top of the cocktail.
This recipe sounds delightful. You said you infused the vodka with the peppers. Did you add the three jalapeños to a full vodka bottle. Curious about the ratio? Thanks Sue
Fantastic! I see what you like this so much. Delish!
I made this and omg it was so delicious. It was a HIT at the party. Thanks for this awesome recipe
OMG! Just happened to read this article on the Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini! I too discovered it on my last cruise and fell in love with it. I am going to purchase the ingredients and start experimenting! So glad I found the recipe! I can taste it now!
OMG. We just got back from our Carnival cruise and my family and I hit the Alchemy Bar nightly before dinner! Obsessed with the Chipotle Pineapple martini and couldn’t wait to google it! So excited that this post showed up. Will be making this STAT! Thanks for posting!
The Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini sounds yummy! I’ll be trying this out! Thank you for the post Michael
I was hoping you had the recipe for the chipotle pineapple syrup by chance. This drink looks heavenly!!
Thanks.
I don’t unfortunately. It’s something you have to purchase. But it’s worth it!
xo Michael
where can you buy the monin chipotle pineapple syrup? This was our favorite drink on the Carnival Vista.
I found mine on Amazon. Hope that helps!
xo Michael
Just ran across this site so I haven’t made any of the cocktails yet but admit to being light-headed just copying the recipes! 🍸 They look absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try them! Your site made my day. Last week I broke a bone in my foot and am pretty much “chair-laden” for the time being. Sometimes it seems there isn’t enough liquor in the w-o-r-l-d…just kidding!!! I’m a “retired” creative and fun-loving 4th grade teacher who still misses her job…even after 8 years. Think you’d call that being “young at heart”? Went to Puerto Villarte for ten days in March though (no cruise) so I’m looking forward to experiencing something new and exciting! Thanks for making my day! Take care…Nance
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. And your vacation sounds fantastic. Hope you had a few cocktails while you were there. I also hope my recipes keep you busy. Be sure to stop back for more. 🙂
xo Michael
Agree with the positive comments about this cocktail. Just got back from a Bahama cruise on the Carnival Pride and really enjoyed the Achemy bar and all there specialty cocktails. Another that cocktail I enjoyed was the Caribbean Manhatten.
OMG, drool!
Never thought of using spice in a cocktail but certainly will now.
Do you think this would work with other fruits Michael?
Thanks!
Like you, I love to try unique, cocktail drinks! And, also like you, our family loves to cruise with Carnival and always love their speciality drinks! My new favorite drink now is a “cucumber vodka pomegranate martini” which I recently had at a real estate function. I am loving this cucumber vodka which is awesome! The martini is made with cucumber vodka, pomegranate liquor (can also use a raspberry liquor) and sweet and sour mix. Absolutely delicious and so refreshing!