I was contacted by the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, located near Santa Fe, N.M. wanting to know if I would be interested in featuring their Tamaya Red Chile Martini for Happy Hour Friday. Though I will typically feature libations I either try locally or concoct myself, I was intrigued. I’ve been to Santa Fe and just loved it and since moving to Denver almost 25 years ago I have found my taste for hot and spicy foods to have grown dramatically, so I was very interested in a cocktail with a bit of spice.
The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
I so clearly remember my visit to Santa Fe. Though only 385 miles south of Denver, if you’ve never been it is like entering another world. Buildings made from clay and wood with accents of turquoise dot the landscape. Native American touches are everywhere and the scenery is just beautiful; much more of a real desert landscape then we have in the plains of Colorado. I went with my girlfriend Carolyn for the weekend and her mother decided she wanted to come along.
Bread and Butters for the Holiday
Who could have expected that two grown women would once again be relegated to errant children? After more than a solid day of being instructed when I was approaching every intersection and stop sign, told how fast I should be driving and reminded to keep both hands on the wheel, we had a moment in the parking lot of a restaurant. A moment when I was given instructions on how to back up my car. I did not lose my temper but I did mention that I had been driving for over 30 years and that I really thought I could handle it without her input. She was not happy with me and proceeded to sulk all the remaining time we spent there. And can you believe…refused to speak to me for the rest of our trip. I should have said something sooner!
Bread making at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort
With greater peace came the opportunity to better enjoy the magnitude of our surroundings. Both natural and manmade artifacts made a story I had only read in history books real and meaningful. And the food? Oh my, the food…maybe that was when this Midwestern girl finally made the move towards really enjoying Mexican food, it was nothing like the experiences I had only had at Chili’s or a local Mexican restaurant in Denver.
I still love fajitas but no longer remove jalapeno peppers when ordering them out…now I would be more inclined to increase the heat. So this fiery cocktail was perfect. Both the liquid components and the rim include a touch of pepper and no, though I hate to disappoint, I did not eat that red chile. I’m not quite there yet.
- Cayenne Salt for the Rim (blend 3 Tbsp of margarita or kosher salt with Cayenne to taste; I added ½ tsp)
- 5 oz of Tequila
- 2 oz of fresh Mango
- Chili Powder
- Juice of one lime
- Rim glass with some juice from lime and dip in the cayenne salt
- Chill glass in freezer
- Make mango puree; blend fresh mango with chili powder to taste; I added three shakes
- Put tequila, mango puree and lime juice into shaker; shake and strain into chilled martini glass
- Garnish with small red chile
The Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa has special events planned for a Pueblo-Style Thanksgiving. This would be a great destination for a unique holiday. I threaten each year to run away and be done with all of the work. Maybe this year? Special thanks to them for providing me with photos of the resort.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Hehe this little red pepper looks so harmless on the pictures :) But I bet if you eat it, you will probably cry out of pain. But the drink looks really great and the ingrediants are just what I like.
Happy Hour to everybody
Drake
Drake Most Recent Post: http://www.drakequotes.net
Yes, so pretty. But I did not take a bite; I’m not crazy! :)
It has taken this Midwestern girl a while to get used to tequila (only in the past couple of years have I gotten into margaritas, even!) but this is an intriguing cocktail. I love the idea of mango and cayenne together.
Megan Most Recent Post: Zucchini Hummus
The key for both this drink and margaritas is the same. Using something other than cheap tequila. I don’t use expensive sipping tequila for cocktails I mix with fruit or juices but even a reposado that has been aged for a year makes it more mellow and enjoyable.
On any givem day I don’t get so excited about cocktails but whoa this one is gorgeous, and then I read the ingredients, mango, cayenne salt, no wonder I had an intuition this was up my alley, as I one of the drinks I love is a margarita.
Thanks Shulie…it is a fiery one!
This fiery martini looks wonderful. The chili looks so elegant floating in that pretty martini glass. I would love to visit Santa Fe one day. I can’t wait to give this spicy drink a try:)
Lora @cakeduchess Most Recent Post: Crostata Autunnale-Autumn Crostata
I’ve developed a taste for more fire in my fare, too! Stunning martini – I’d love to escape to Santa Fe for their pueblo Thanksgiving. Breathtaking photos, Barb.
Priscilla-She’s Cookin’ Most Recent Post: Postcard from Paris
Your photos are astounding, Barb! I can’t stop looking at that red chili swimming in the sea of golden yellow… Very tempting:)
I have also developed quite an addiction to fiery food – my mom is allergic to the heat (only from peppers – she can work with horseradish, onion, garlic, etc.) and growing up we rarely had anything “piquant”.
Lana Most Recent Post: Plumming the Depths
That sounds really, and I mean, *really,* good! In fact, I thought, “hmmm, I’m going to a Halloween party tonight, and need to bring a beverage, should I whip up a batch of these?” But I think I’ll wait til I try to make it at home once first.
Back when I lived in Albuquerque, NM, I went to the Tamaya Resort with a couple of girlfriends to have drinks a few times — this was just after it opened — and my goodness, is that property ever gorgeous!! Seeing these pics makes me miss New Mexico something fierce. : )
Kimberly Most Recent Post: New Favorite Value Bubbly: Ruffino Prosecco
Like the red chilly in the cocktail..must be very fiery and delightful! And the bread making picture of the lady is lovely
Sanjeeta kk Most Recent Post: Low-Cal Chickpea Flour Fudge with Palm Sugar – A Healthy Festive Treat
Now THIS sounds like the perfect happy hour. And it most definitely makes me want to visit Santa Fe.
I have no links this week, but I’ll raise my glass anyway and remember my stay at the same Sante Fe Hyatt last year! GREG
Really? I plan to go there now…it’s been awhile and I think Santa Fe would be a welcome respite from live craziness.
This drink looks spectacular. I’m partial to chile and tequila.
Lynda Most Recent Post: Tips and Treats for a Halloween Cheese Basket
It should be called a hot tamale…the combo of the tequila and the chili powder makes for a very spirited cocktail indeed.
WOW! When I saw this, I heard ANGELS singing, Barb! IN LOVE!
SweetSugarBelle Most Recent Post: Gourmet Caramel Apple Cookies
Aw thanks…it’s a pretty potent cocktail. I enjoyed it but then took myself off Twitter; I could feel it and did not want to have Twitter regrets!
Just ever so gorgeous. That last picture made my heart skip a beat Barbara…now if you had only eaten that chili!
Deeba Rajpal (@vindee) Most Recent Post: Baking| Chocolate Quark Mousse Tartlets in Almond Pastry {eggless} … inspired by friends!
You know I NEVER see myself eating a chile like that; I like some heat but not interested in a burn. :)
Oh yum, yum! This is a beautiful cocktail and the ingredients sound fantastic. Love Santa Fe. I’m trying to post my cocktail today too. Looks like tequila for breakfast!
Karen Harris Most Recent Post: Toast the Movie and Steak and Ale Pie
I could do that! I have developed a taste for tequila. Good tequila!
We keep threatening to head to Santa Fe, but haven’t made the trip yet. This fiery cocktail may be just the inspiration I needed to book that flight! ;-)
Bunkycooks Most Recent Post: Clementine and Spiced Rum Bundt Cake and a visit by the Fairy Hobmother
It is absolutely spectacular; really like entering another world almost. Time for you to make a culinary journey to the southwest for sure.
I think a tasting trip is in order Barb! Maybe time to pop back to visit again after all the years since you’ve been there to check out what’s new and the Hyatt! Love the idea of some heat on this oh-so-chilly day!
Boulder Locavore Most Recent Post: Old School Minestrone Soup
I absolutely agree and I’m serious. Despite someone’s mother, I loved the experience and would now love to go with a different food perspective and mission to try some new things.
Interesting… I love all things spicy but I’ve never had a spicy drink before…..
And I LOVE your story! that is hilarious, I am glad you have been able to drive without her guidance still ;-)
Well, there is some heat in tequila in a way already, this just adds a touch more. I would love to go again without her; I managed but she managed to put a damper on it. For me and her daughter. My friend Carolyn wouldn’t speak up but was glad I did!
Love the look of this cocktail with the red pepper laying atop the yellow liquid. The Hyatt resort looks beautiful and Sante Fe certainly looks like a lovely place to visit. Sorry you had a backseat driver on your trip there though ;)
Paula Most Recent Post: Banana Bites
I like the touch of mango in this martini. Santa Fe and all of northern New Mexico — one of our favorite places to visit. I like any food with a SW touch, but prefer the refined flavors of New Mexico. Glad you had a good time.
Muffin Tin / Lisa Most Recent Post: Pizza from Scratch: Cracker Crust
Santa Fe has been on my travel wish list for a very long time and this post makes me want to go that much more. What a fantastic-sounding cocktail!
Cookin’ Canuck Most Recent Post: Halloween Vampire Punch Recipe with Lime Sherbet
That resort and that drink are making me think another trip is in order too…ah, can you imagine a blogger group in Santa Fe? Now that would be fun!
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