When I first moved to Los Angeles in 2006, I used to frequent a nightclub called Hyde. There, I fell for a red pepper–flavored cocktail called the Love Unit. It’s the first red-pepper drink I’ve enjoyed, because I am not hugely keen on the flavor of red peppers in general.

When I first tried Hot in the City, it immediately reminded me of the Love Unit in low-ABV form. This festive orange sipper skews savory thanks to the bitter Aperol and grapefruit juice, in addition to the spice and vegetal notes in the red pepper syrup. The mezcal adds a subtle smoky flavor, while the lime adds brightness. Simply put, this is the perfect drink for a hot day.

Makes 1
1/2 ounce mezcal
1 ounce Aperol
3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1 1/2 ounces Red Pepper Syrup (recipe follows)
Lime wheel, for garnish

1. Combine the mezcal, Aperol, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and red pepper syrup in a cocktail shaker and fill halfway with ice cubes. Cover and shake to chill,
   10 seconds.
2. Fill a highball glass three-quarters full with ice cubes. Double-strain the cocktail into it and garnish with the lime wheel.

Red Pepper Syrup

Makes 2 cups
1 cup water
1 cup agave syrup
1/4 medium-size red bell pepper, stemmed and seeded
1-inch piece red chile pepper, such as Holland or Long Red Chile, stemmed (seeds and pith removed to reduce heat, if desired)

1. Heat the water in a small saucepan over low heat until it simmers, about 3 minutes. Add the agave syrup and remove the pan from the heat. Stir to dissolve the agave syrup, then set aside and let cool to room temperature. 
2. Place the agave mixture, red pepper, and chile pepper in a blender and blend on high until the peppers are completely broken down. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a glass jar, cover, and refrigerate. Red Pepper Syrup will keep, covered and refrigerated, for 1 month.

For more recipes check out the book! 

About the Book:

When the occasion calls for a drink, but not for getting drunk, mix up a batch of day drinks—low-alcohol cocktails that are festive, mouthwateringly delicious, and light on the booze. From brunch with friends to bridal showers and barbecues, from tailgates to snow days to afternoons hanging out on the beach, just about any daytime social occasion is greatly improved by a drink. And these 50 creative cocktails are just the thing.
Using beer, wine, sake, sherry, and vermouth, plus a variety of amari and other flavorful liqueurs like St-Germain, Campari, and Aperol, the cocktails (and mocktails!) of Day Drinking are easy to make and easy on the alcohol content. Here are light drinks for hot days, warm drinks for cool days, and an abundance of classic—and reimagined—low-proof spritzers, sangrias, micheladas, and so much more.

Buy the Book
Indiebound | B&N | Amazon | Workman