Some like it hot, especially in a cool cocktail. Restaurants and bars across the country are heating up their summer with spicy ingredients in icy sips. From jalapeños to cayenne pepper to Thai chilies, mixologists are shaking up the hottest libations for cocktails’ coolest fans.

Restaurant: Public Kitchen & Bar
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cocktail: Spiced Cucumber Collins
Description: Refreshing with a spicy kick, Public Kitchen & Bar’s Spiced Cucumber Collins is crafted with Hendrick’s Gin, lime, Shishito pepper, cucumber and mint. The cocktail is garnished with cucumber slices for some cool summer flair but brings the heat with Shishito peppers that add a surprising and delightful twist to guests’ cocktail hour.

Restaurant: Tequileria Maya and Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen
Location: New York City, New York
Cocktail: Pepino (pictured, above left)
Description: Richard Sandoval’s Tequileria Maya and Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen add two jalapenos to a bottle of blanco tequila to make the house-infused jalapeño tequila used in this bright cocktail. Shaken with fresh cucumber purée, citrus, and a hint of agave to cool down all of that spice, the Pepino is garnished with a cucumber wheel and keeps the heat alive with a Tajin rimmed glass.

Restaurant: Kelly Liken
Location: Vail, Colorado
Cocktail: Mango Tango
Description: Sweet meets spicy at Kelly’s Liken’s namesake restaurant in Vail. The Top Chef finalist and Iron Chef alum makes the Mango Tango with Hornitos Tequila, Triple Sec, house-made mango and avocado purée with a salt and cayenne rim.

Restaurant: Presidio Social Club
Location: San Francisco, California
Cocktail: The Gunpowder
Description: A crisp gin cocktail with some serious heat, Presidio Social Club’s Gunpowder cocktail is crafted with Hendrick’s Gin, lime and cane syrup and garnished with a dash of cayenne as well as a salt rim infused with cayenne pepper to add some extra spice.

Restaurant: Lexington Social House
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cocktail: The Polynesian (pictured, at right)
Description: From the heart of Hollywood comes this unique, spicy cocktail made with Peligroso blanco tequila, pineapple gum syrup, lime juice, Peychaud bitters, basil, cayenne, crispy prosciutto and single large ice cube.

Restaurant: Mercadito Chicago
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Cocktail: Smokey Pablo
Description: Designed by award-winning beverage consultants the Tippling Bros., Mercadito defines the formula for the perfect cocktail – a bit of heat, sweat and smoke. Mercadito’s Smokey Pablo completes the equation with Hornitos reposado tequila, fresh mango purée, topped with a blueberry float and shaken chile morita.

Restaurant: Towne Food & Drink
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cocktail: Eastern Mule
Description: At the soon-to-open Towne Food & Drink in Downtown LA, Beverage Director Jason Bran mixes up modern American cocktails with playful twists, including the Eastern Mule, made with Russian Vodka, Lime, and a House 5-Spice Ginger Beer.

Restaurant: CAFE del REY
Location: Marina Del Rey, California
Cocktail: Spiced Strawberry Margarita (pictured, at left)
Description: Refreshing and fruity with a spicy kick, CAFE del REY’s Spiced Strawberry Margarita is crafted with El Jimador Tequila, Triple Sec, habanero infused simple syrup, fresh house made sour mix and fresh strawberries. The cocktail is garnished with a salt and sugar mix around the glass rim and topped with a lime wedge.

Restaurant: Ray’s & Stark Bar
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cocktail: Owl and Pussycat
Description: Rum, freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup mingle with muddled strawberries in this signature drink inspired by namesake Ray Stark’s popular film. Holding center stage in the “on the rocks” libation is a green chili pepper which adds a kick of spice to the cool beverage.

Restaurant: Ngam
Location: New York City, New York
Cocktails: Thai Spiced Bloody Mary and Pomegranate & Chili Bellini
Description: At Ngam, Chef Hong Thaimee kicks up her cocktails with a Thai twist. Her Bloody Mary features tomato juice, soju, and Thai chilies for a spicy finish, while her Pomegranate Chili Bellini includes fresh pomegranate juice, sparkling wine, and Thai chilies—a new take on a brunch classic.

Restaurant: Chaya Brasserie
Location: Beverly Hills, California
Cocktail: Spicy Margarita
Description: Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills adds some heat to their happy hour menu with their Spicy Margarita, made with spice tequila, triple sec, prickly pear purée and fresh citrus.

Restaurant: Soleto
Location: Los Angeles, California
Cocktail: When In Rome
Description: Downtown L.A.’s hottest new Italian restaurant and bar features a delightful “When In Rome” cocktail with Grey Goose Citron, fresh raspberries, blackberries, jalapeño and lemon.

(Photos courtesy of Wagstaff Worldwide)