Hatch Chile Pineapple Mule

I’ve been in a bit of a funk this past week. Winter in the PNW requires mental stamina in a normal year but this year is definitely not normal. We are incredibly lucky to have a beach cabin to escape to and the water does have a way of chilling us out. Bonus- it’s not raining! Bundled up in a puffy coat and a beanie, blanket on lap, I’m soaking up a little outdoor time. For my cocktail, I wanted something fun and different. I purchased a bottle of Hatch Chile Vodka from Crater Lake Spirits back in October and remembered a friend telling me about a pineapple mule she made with it. She kindly passed on her recipe and told me I would not regret making it! It’s really tasty. The vodka definitely has a bite so if you’re not into spice, you might want to go with half spicy vodka and half regular, but I love how the spice works with the pineapple juice. It is fitting my current mood, which is gritty and ornery but willing itself to be calm and sweet. The cocktail is rounded out by the typical mule ingredients of fresh lime juice and ginger beer. It is hitting the spot on this cold January afternoon by the water. Maybe you’re craving something similar? Cheers!

Hatch Chile Pineapple Mule

Ingredients:

2 oz Hatch Chile Vodka (or another spicy vodka)

2 oz pineapple juice

1 oz fresh lime juice

ginger beer to top

lime wheel, as garnish

Method:

Combine vodka, pineapple juice and lime juice in a shaker with ice. Shake until cold and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with lime wheel.