Spicy Ginger Habanero Ketorita

Ginger & habanero with smoky Mezcal make for a fun twist on a classic drink, and swapping out sugar for monk fruit or stevia makes the day after drinking one (or 3..) a leeettle less of a struggle.

If you're doing dry January, save this as a fun Super Bowl Sunday cocktail, if not this is the perfect drink to pair with #TacoTuesday! (Taco recipe coming up soon!) Spicy, sour, smoky, sweetened with monk fruit or stevia for my #keto friends who usually steer clear of sugar laced margs and everyone else who wants to cut back on those sugary drinks. If you don't love the smokiness of mezcal, just replace with more tequila. Also, if habanero is too aggressive, jalapeños also work, or hold the spice all together for a classic marg.

This recipe makes 2 margs, or a jumbo if that's what you're feeling!

What you'll need before starting:

a shaker (I've used a swell bottle or protein shaker as a sub)

a knife & small cutting board for slicing your limes, ginger, and habanero

a small plate for salting the rim

ice

Ingredients:

• 1 habanero (or pepper of choice), sliced thin (note- keeping the seeds ups the spice, so omit or keep them to taste)

• 1/2 inch ginger root- peeled and sliced

• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice- approx 3-6 limes & I know that's not super specific but limes range from large, juicy and awesome to dry as a bone so whatever it takes to get to that amount

• 2 oz. mezcal (can swap out with more tequila)

• 2 oz. tequila

• 4-8 drops Liquid monk fruit or stevia sweetener- do this to taste as well, more = sweeter

• optional salt/tajin/chili powder/cinnamon etc. for salt rim on glass

Let's make a drink! It's easy as uno, dos, tres...

1. If you want a salt rim, place a tsp or so of salt on a plate- I like to add a pinch of tajin, and this awesome cinnamon/piloncillo blend from Adventure Kitchen in Montclair, NJ (all of their spices are phenomenal) - you can get creative here with chili powder, cinnamon, coconut sugar, etc.

2. Use a squeezed lime to dampen the rim of your glasses and roll around in your salt mix.

3. Pour everything into your shaker... shake for a solid 30-45 sec, then strain and pour into your glasses. Thats IT!

Salud amigos! Let me know how these turn out!