5:00 Fridays

You know that saying "Some like it hot?" Well, I'm pretty sure that "some" is me. Whether it's a man, chili, the temperature, or a cocktail, I like it hot. The only good hot cocktails I've had have been Bloody Marys or a particular jalepeno martini I mooched off of Mac Daddy at a bar in Madison, WI. Those drinks were savory, not refreshing.

And then I got stung.

The fantastic new joint in downtown Raleigh, the reborn Busy Bee Cafe, has perhaps the best hot cocktail known to woman. It's spicy. It's refreshing. It's limey. It's cool. It's damn near perfect. The coolest thing is that the Busy Bee Cafe grows their own jalepenos on their roof. Don't you just love that?! I have enjoyed this cocktail sensation on multiple occasions and once convinced a party of 18 people to all order it. Let's just say they texted me later to tell me how much they enjoyed it. I have a hunch they had more than one.

And while I am allergic to bees, this sting doesn't require a jab to the meaty thigh with an epipen.

The Sting

2 oz passion fruit vodka
5 oz sour (mix equal parts lemon/lime juice and simple syrup)
3 oz pineapple juice
2 - 4 slices of fresh jalepeno (NOT the jarred pickled peppers that Peter picked!)
6 or so leaves of fresh cilantro
2 lime wedges
soda water

Grab your stainless steel shaker (or sterling silver if you're a luckier girl than I) and add the vodka, jalepenos, cilantro, and limes. Muddle (I love that word!). Add some ice and the pineapple juice. Shake it like a Polaroid picture. Pour it into a big ole hurricane glass. Top with soda. This fantastic drink is its own garnish.

Damn, I really wish I had one right now...