Oh yeah! It’s FRIDAAAAAAY! Yes! We made it! Another week down and another weekend to celebrate! I am celebrating Hatch Chiles, people! These babies are like shooting stars, they are like humming birds, they are like childhood! They are special and gone in a blink.

Last year I tasted a mango Hatch Chile smoothie at The Whole Foods. I was in love! I decided that the following weekend, I would make a cocktail with their juice. This cocktail was perfect, in my head! I went back the following Friday and they were gone… I was a little devastated, I’m not gonna lie. I asked one of my produce guys, Icee (yep, that’s his real name), if there was a close sub. He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and said “I guess, it would be the Anaheim”. I could tell by his face that it really wasn’t an appropriate substitution, but then, I wondered why? I searched a few other groceries and no luck. I bought some Anaheim peppers and gave it a go. They were definitely not the same. I think a jalapeno would be the closest thing to “right” and would be almost, but not quite as good in this drink. This is he, hi Icee! 

Why is The Hatch Chile so special? Well, it’s only “Hatch” if it’s grown in The Hatch Valley in New Mexico. The unique make up of the soil coupled with the climate, results in the beautiful bright bite that comes from this chile. The ripened red version is also delicious with a bit more of an earthy flavor. These chiles are fantastic roasted and as I found out this week, juiced! They come in various degrees of “hot”. I am using a spicier variety for this recipe, your grocer should be able to help you determine hot to mild and you can choose to your liking.

This is also one of the recipes I shot with James Stiles and his lovely partner, Kie. Not only did they help me get a great shot, but they were also gracious enough to help me test the recipe! It’s a dirty job, but they were in it to win it… Hi guys!

Any how, if you plan to try this recipe DO NOT DELAY! These amazing chiles will be gone before you know it! If you happen to come across this recipe in the off season, try the jalapeno.

You will need the following:

• Hatch Chiles 3-5, juiced
• Orange juice
• Pineapple juice
• Tequila, a nice reposado
• Club soda

Directions:

1. In a small pitcher, add 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup (more or less to taste start with 1/8 cup if you’re sensitive to heat) and 1 cup tequila. Stir well and pour over ice into four glasses.
2. Top off with club soda and serve.

Boom! This recipe will knock you naked! Hurry hurry hurry! Go out and grab your chiles! Until next time, drink up! TGIF, bitches!