Spicy Fifty cocktail in a cocktail glass garnished with a red chili pepper

IBA

Spicy Fifty – IBA

Name: Spicy Fifty – IBA
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: Vanilla vodka — 50 ml (1 2/3 oz); Elderflower cordial — 15 ml (1/2 oz); Lime juice — 15 ml (1/2 oz); Honey syrup — 10 ml (1/3 oz); Red chili pepper — 2 slices

Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 18.1% ABV ∙

The Spicy Fifty is an IBA-listed vodka sour made with vanilla vodka, elderflower cordial, lime juice, and honey syrup, shaken with chili for heat. A silky, honeyed sip opens sweet and floral before a slow chili burn builds through the finish, cut by bright citrus tang.

Ingredients

Servings

Garnish

Red chili pepper

Instructions for 1 serving

Pre-chill a glass
Shake: Vanilla vodka 50 mlElderflower cordial 15 mlLime juice 15 mlHoney syrup 10 mlRed chili pepper 2 slices
Fine strain into the chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a red chili pepper

Tips

Shake the chili slices hard with the other ingredients to release their oils, then fine-strain promptly so the heat stays balanced rather than overpowering.
Pre-chill the glass before straining so the drink stays cold without needing extra ice or dilution.
Taste the honey syrup's sweetness against the lime and chili before serving — it needs to bridge both the tartness and the heat.

History

The Spicy Fifty was created by Italian-born bartender Salvatore Calabrese around 2004-2005 as his signature drink for the debut menu of the bar FIFTY in London, which opened in February 2005. The cocktail takes its name from that venue, where Calabrese worked before it later closed. It was added to the IBA's official cocktail list in 2020, under the "New Era Drinks" category.