Picante de la Casa

The Picante de la Casa is a modern classic that has taken the cocktail world by storm. It features reposado tequila as its base, shaken with fresh lime juice, agave nectar, cilantro, and a slice of red chili. The result is a drink that is simultaneously refreshing, herbaceous, tart, and spicy. Served over ice in a rocks glass, it's a sophisticated yet approachable cocktail for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Picante de la Casa

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Picante de la Casa is a cocktail, specifically categorized as a modern classic. It's a contemporary twist on the Margarita, blending traditional elements with fresh, spicy ingredients. Its widespread popularity has cemented its status in modern mixology.

Serving

Served cold over fresh ice in a rocks glass, this is a moderately strong cocktail with a noticeable but well-integrated alcohol presence.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml (4-5 oz) before ice
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
None, though a chilled glass is recommended.

Backstory

This cocktail was created in the early 2000s at the London outpost of the Soho House members' club. It was developed by their bar team to be a unique and memorable signature drink. Its perfectly balanced spicy and refreshing character led to its immense popularity, and it is now served at Soho House locations around the globe, becoming their most famous creation.
Origin
London, United Kingdom, circa early 2000s.

Picante de la Casa

The name 'Picante de la Casa' is Spanish for 'Spicy of the House'. It's widely known as the Soho House Margarita, as it is the signature cocktail of the members' club chain. Some also refer to it more descriptively as a Spicy Coriander Margarita.
Original name
Picante de la Casa
Alternative names
  • Soho House Margarita
  • Spicy Coriander Margarita

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a complex aroma of fresh cilantro and lime, with a taste that leads with tartness and sweetness before a pleasant, building heat from the chili emerges. Its smooth, crisp texture and refreshing character make it incredibly drinkable, with a clean, warming aftertaste.
Flavor
Spicy, Herbaceous, Tart, Sweet, Earthy
Aroma
Fresh Cilantro, Zesty Lime, Piquant Chili, Cooked Agave
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet, Spicy
Aftertaste
Lingering warmth, Clean, Herbal
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale yellow-green, Slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, Crisp, Clean
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, All-Season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by a sharp sourness from the lime, balanced by moderate sweetness and a noticeable spicy kick. It is a still, non-creamy drink with a medium alcohol presence.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need reposado tequila as the spirit base, complemented by fresh lime juice and agave nectar. The signature flavors come from fresh cilantro leaves and a slice of red chili.
  • Reposado Tequila50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A good quality 100% agave reposado tequila is recommended for its smooth, slightly aged character.
  • Fresh Lime Juice25 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Agave Nectar15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Can be substituted with simple syrup, but agave nectar is traditional and complements the tequila.
  • Fresh Cilantro (Coriander)10-12 leaves
    Use fresh leaves for the characteristic herbaceous flavor.
  • Red Chili1 fresh slice
    A red bird's eye or Fresno chili works well. Adjust quantity based on desired heat level.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The essential tools are a cocktail shaker and a muddler to release the flavors of the fresh ingredients. You will also need strainers to ensure a clean, smooth texture in the final drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
  • Muddler for pressing the chili and cilantro
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining
  • Hawthorne strainer for primary straining

Instructions

The process involves gently muddling fresh chili and cilantro, then adding tequila, lime, and agave. The mixture is shaken with ice and double strained into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
1. Place the cilantro leaves and the slice of red chili into the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
2. Gently muddle the ingredients to release their oils and essence. Avoid over-muddling, which can create bitterness.
3. Add the reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
5. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds, until the shaker is well-chilled.
6. Fill a rocks glass with fresh cubed ice.
7. Double strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass to remove ice shards and small bits of chili and cilantro.
8. Garnish with a fresh slice of red chili on top of the ice and serve immediately.

Garnishing

The drink is simply garnished with a single, fresh slice of red chili. This serves as a visual cue to the cocktail's spicy character.
  • Red chili slice placed on top of the ice

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and contains no caffeine.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories, primarily from the tequila and agave nectar. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low compared to many other cocktails.
Calories
Averagely 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect for warm weather occasions like summer parties and barbecues. It's also an excellent choice for a vibrant happy hour or any cocktail night with friends. Its refreshing heat makes it a great aperitif before a meal.
  • Summer Party
  • Happy Hour
  • Cocktail Night

Pairing suggestions

The cocktail's bright acidity and spicy kick make it an excellent companion for Mexican and Latin American cuisine. It cuts through the richness of dishes like tacos and carnitas, and complements the fresh flavors of seafood like ceviche. It's also a perfect match for salty snacks like tortilla chips and guacamole.
  • Tacos al Pastor
  • Ceviche
  • Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
  • Grilled Fish or Shrimp

Picante de la Casa: The Modern Icon of Spicy Cocktails

The Picante de la Casa is a globally recognized modern classic for a reason. Its genius lies in the simple but bold combination of spicy chili and herbaceous cilantro with the familiar framework of a tequila sour. This balance creates a cocktail that is incredibly refreshing and complex, appealing to both margarita lovers and those seeking something new. Easy to make and bursting with fresh flavor, it has rightfully earned its place as a staple on cocktail menus worldwide.

Similar Cocktails

Spicy Margarita

A broader category of cocktail. While similar, a generic Spicy Margarita often lacks the specific cilantro element and might use a chili-infused syrup instead of fresh chili.

Tommy's Margarita

Shares the same base DNA of tequila, lime, and agave nectar, but does not include the signature muddled chili and cilantro.

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