Sweet and Spicy Margarita – Cocktail of the Week

This week's cocktail comes to us from contest winner Chris 'The Cheftender' Asay from Sea Bright, and is sure to kick up your weekend!

This drink combines the sweet flavors of blood orange with spicy jalapeño and fragrant cilantro.

While Chris doesn't have a name for his drink, I'm calling it a Sweet and Spicy Margarita.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. blanco tequila (Chris uses Herradura)
• .5 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. blood orange juice
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• .5 oz. Simple syrup
• cilantro
• jalapeño

Muddle cilantro, lime, and jalapeño. Add ice and remaining ingredients into a shaker. Shake and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with cilantro, jalapeno and lime.

A little sweet, a little devilish, what's not to love? This cocktail is super creative, and something different to sip on!

Look for Chris, beverage director at local hotspots like Ama in Sea Bright and The Downtown in Red Bank, and maybe he'll make you a Sweet & Spicy!

*Please drink responsibly.*

How would you switch up this recipe? Tell us in the comment section below!