Spicy Italian Margarita

Ingredients:

Cocktail

• 90 ml chilled limoncello (see below for homemade limoncello recipe) + a little extra to wet the rim of the glass
• 60 ml of gold tequila
• 0.5 tsp Calabrian chili paste (optional)
• Coarse salt to garnish the rim of the glass
• 60 oz unsweetened lime seltzer, such as Spindrift

Homemade limoncello

• 4 organic lemons, thoroughly washed and dried
• 2 cups of vodka, such as Tito's
• 3/4 cup sugar or 3/4 cup store-bought sugar syrup + more to taste

Preparation:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add limoncello, tequila, and chili paste, if using. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
2. Wet the rim of an Old Fashioned limoncello glass. Sprinkle the rim with salt. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Top with seltzer and serve.

3. Homemade limoncello

   
   Finely grate the yellow lemon zest, being careful not to remove the bitter white pith. You should have about 1/4 cup of zest. Transfer the zest to a jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Add the vodka, seal, and shake. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks. Strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. You may need to line the sieve with a coffee filter. Discard the zest (or dry it and mix it with margarita salt).
   
   Note
   
   Wash the lemons thoroughly with a sponge in hot water to remove the wax. Meyer lemons are one of the best options.
4. Combine the sugar with 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set the syrup aside to cool completely. Mix 3/4 cup of the sugar syrup (or more, if desired) with the infused vodka. Store in a tightly sealed bottle in the freezer for up to 6 months.
   Exit: about 3 tbsp.