Salvatore Calabrese, one of the Master bartenders of our age, created the Spicy Fifty cocktail. When you look at the list of ingredients, you can already tell you've got a unique mix of flavors in front of you. Salvatore developed the recipe for his London bar called Fifty. And it was the signature drink of the very first menu when the bar opened back in early 2005.
"It's one of my best-selling cocktails, one of my most famous drinks, and a modern classic in its own right."
Salvatore Calabrese, in his book "Classic Cocktails"
The Spicy Fifty's base is a vanilla-flavored Vodka. It may sound like an unusual base for a classic cocktail, but it was pretty fashionable in the 2000s. Some of you perhaps remember
So now, let's have a closer look at the chili-spiced cocktail and at how Salvatore Calabrese came up with the recipe.
History of the Spicy Fifty
It's not exactly an enormous secret that Salva Calabrese was influenced by another bartender when he came up with the recipe for the Spicy Fifty. In June 2004, Myles Cunliffe won third place in the UKGB Cocktail Challenge. His creation from the competition, called MyZo, shows some similarities to Salvatores Spicy Fifty. Both use Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Elderflower cordial, citrus, and chili. And it is a known fact that Calabrese was aware of this cocktail: He was in the photo with Myles, handing him the £1000 cheque.
Another source of inspiration for Salvatore Calabrese was Jean-George Vongerichten. The Michelin star chef works in the restaurant Rama, located in the same building as Salvatores bar. It was for this restaurant that he created the chili-inspired menu leading to the Spicy Fifty.
The taste of the Spicy Fifty
Spicy chili slices are the key to the Spicy Fifty cocktail. Salvatore describes their role as "… a highlight so that it gives an unforgettable taste and is very difficult to hide." The drink is composed in a way that makes it gradually change its taste and perception.
At first, the sweet notes from elderflower, vanilla, and honey are dominant. They slowly change into zesty, citrusy notes that overlay the sweetness and bring sourness to the drink. Finally, an intensely spicy and peppery taste takes over, nicely complementing the previous two flavor stages.
The Ingredients
The original recipe asks for a specific Vodka - Stolichnaya Vanil Vodka. That is a vanilla-flavored Vodka made by a famous Russian Vodka producer. Besides the Vodka, elderflower cordial, lime juice, and honey syrup go into the mix.
Honey syrup is easy to make at home. Here is a separate article about it, including everything you need to know. Often, a ratio of 1 part honey to 1 part water is a great fit. However, for the Spicy Fifty, I recommend a ratio of 2:1. The increase in honey will make the syrup sweeter and create a richer texture.
The spice in the cocktail is coming from sliced red chili and a pinch of pepper.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Stoli Vanil Vodka
- 0.5 oz Elderflower cordial
- 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz Honey syrup (2:1 ratio)
- 2 Thin slices of red chili
- 1 pinch Black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into your cocktail shaker with plenty of ice.1.5 oz Stoli Vanil Vodka, 0.5 oz Elderflower cordial, 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice, 0.25 oz Honey syrup (2:1 ratio), 2 Thin slices of red chili, 1 pinch Black pepper
- Shake until the drink is well-chilled and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a small red chili on the rim of the glass.
