How To Make The Sweet And Spicy El Diablo Cocktail Recipe

Looking For Some Different Cocktails

Have you ever come across a cocktail that was so good that you couldn’t wait to try it again? This happened to me recently when I tried the El Diablo Cocktail at Westport Social in St. Louis Missouri.

Let me share the background of this interesting drink and also the recipe that goes with it.

The History Of Trader Vic’s Book Of Food And Drink

Have you heard of Trader Vic’s Book Of Food And Drink? It was written by a man called Victor Bergeron who had many talents other than book writing.

Trader Vic was credited for creating the Mai Tai we drink today. Along with his bartending skills, he was also an artist that worked in painting, jewelry, and even sculptures. 

Vic included the El Diablo Cocktail recipe (among many others) in Trader Vic’s Book Of Food and Drink in 1946. This book is still circulating today.

When Making Cocktails Using Tequila – Use The Right Tequila!

Tequila is made from the blue agave plant that grows in Mexico. If it isn’t made in the five known states in Mexico and it isn’t made with blue agave it cannot be called Tequila.

Too much information? Let’s get to the five types of tequilas.

Blanco – (Margarita and Paloma)

With this tequila, there are no added flavors, and is known to have the natural sweetness of the blue agave plant. It can taste mildly spicy and with hints of citrus. 

Examples of Blanco are Jose Cuervo Especial, Don Julio Blanco Tequila, and Patron Silver.

Joven (Margarita, or sometimes served neat)

This is the first tequila I ever knew. It is gold in color from additives to change its flavor. This tequila is a mixture of a little bit of aged tequila with larger amounts of unaged tequila. 

I taste similar hints of spice and citrus as Blanco but I enjoy the different sweetness of this one a little more. 

A good example of Joven tequila is Jose Cuervo (Especial) Gold.

Reposado (El Diablo Cocktail or Margarita)

This tequila has been aged for different amounts of time (normally between 2 months and one year). Depending on how long it is aged the color is a different hue. 

What I enjoy the most about this one is the flavors of honey and caramel. Some Reposado that has been aged a long time may even have other tastes like chocolate, vanilla, or cinnamon. 

As I hinted above one of the best cocktails made with tequila Reposado is the El Diablo!

Good examples of Reposado tequila are 1800 Reposado Tequila, Hornitos Reposado Tequila, and Patron Reposado. 

Anejo (Drink this neat – not normally for your Margarita)

This tequila is aged for at least one year in oak barrels. The longer the aging process works the sweeter the tequila becomes. That is why the Anejo tequila is a good sipper. 

I still taste the caramel taste but also the extra sweetness that is distinctly different from the three I mentioned first. 

Examples of Anejo are 1800 Anejo Tequila, Patron Anejo, and Cabo Wabo Anejo Tequila.

Extra Anejo (Drink this neat- you will want to enjoy the flavors)

This tequila has the most beautiful amber coloring. It comes from being aged for over three years, not any artificial additives. But this special spirit comes at a special price. 

I don’t normally drink this because I mix my tequila in cocktails but I did try it and tasted the caramel from before along with a slightly vanilla spice, oak, and fruit flavors. 

Here are a few examples of Extra Anejo tequila. Patron Extra Anejo, Cazul 100 Reserva Extra Anejo, and the one I tried was Codigo 1530 Origen Extra Anejo (which is extra expensive).

My First Look At The El Diablo Cocktail

We sat down at the bar and each chose an interesting cocktail to try. I chose one with gin and my husband chose one with Tequila. 

When the bartender set our two drinks down in front of us I immediately noticed how the lighter color on top faded into the bottom of the El Diablo Cocktail. It was so lovely I had to take a sip.

One taste and I was hooked! The ginger beer flavor stood out but then a rush of other flavors followed right behind it. I know this sounds weird but it was soft, and fruity but also a bit spicy. 

The tequila was so subtle with a little vanilla and caramel flavors. I loved the blending of those flavors with the rich blackberry taste of the Creme de Cassis. (I later found out it was black currant)

I gave my husband a few sips and then proceeded to ask him to order another drink so I could finish this one. He really liked it too but he had his eye on a new beer they brought in that day.

And yes, if you are wondering, I finished the cocktail I ordered as well and that is the only reason I didn’t order a second El Diablo Cocktail.

Let’s Make An El Diablo Cocktail – The Recipe

This recipe is made in a few different ways. I am giving you my preferred way as I like how it tastes the best and the beautiful presentation it has in the glass. So build this drink correctly to get a beautiful effect.

11 oz Rocks Glass

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What Do You Think About The Cocktail El Diablo?

You have heard my opinion about this lovely-looking (and delicious-tasting) drink. I am now curious to hear from you.

Have you already tried the El Diablo Cocktail? If not, try it and send me a comment. Next Cocktails want’s to know if you are as blown away as I was.