Heart on Fire

an aphrodisiac cocktail recipe

The Recipe

Alcohol (in moderation) is a renowned aphrodisiac. Read more about that here.

This recipe combines not one, but three additional aphrodisiacs: hot red pepper, fresh ginger, and strawberries, plus lemon juice and for extra zing.

It began without the hot pepper (video evidence), but I think we can all appreciate a little heat in the kitchen, so I checked in with mixologist extraordinaire Vasilis Sgouromallis, currently bar managing at Humain Athens and Juls Ibiza.

Vasilis walked me through a simple strawberry maceration technique, and approved my plan for a peperoncino-infused vodka.

We garnished with a fresh mint leaf for cooling contrast, but you could just as easily (and sensually) garnish with a long red peperoncino or chili.

Ingredients

50 ml (1.7 oz) peperoncino-infused vodka
40 ml (1.3 oz) strawberry maceration
25 ml (.8 oz) fresh lemon juice
20 ml (.5 oz) fresh ginger juice (I used the flat side of a garlic-press for this.)

Procedure

Shake over ice and serve with your choice of garnish: fresh mint, a strawberry or one hot red pepper

*For Strawberry Maceration: Combine 2 parts finely chopped fresh strawberries for 1.5 parts sugar. Cover and leave overnight in the refrigerator. Strain.

*For Hot-Pepper Infused Vodka: Combine 400 grams (1 pint) vodka of your choice and 20 grams ( just under 1 oz) spicy red peppers. Remove the seeds for less heat). Place in an airtight jar for 2 weeks. Store and use as needed.

For another recipe designed to get your pulse racing and your mouth watering, check out this aphrodisiac flourless chocolate cake.