Makes 1 drink.

The luscious purple color of this drink is a stunner! Taste a berry first to check for sweetness. If it's not super-sweet, add a tablespoon of sugar when muddling the berries.

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon diced poblano peppers (or 1 1/2, if very mild)
1 ounce silver tequila
3/4 ounce cointreau

PREPARATION
In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries and poblano peppers. Shake with tequila, cointreau, and ice. Strain into a martini glass.

Note: If working with fresh blackberries, raspberries, or blueberries, to avoid pulp or seeds in your glass, strain before serving. Blackberries not in season? Use frozen berries.

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Exerpted from Spice & Ice by Kara Newman. Copyright 2009 by Chronicle Books. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.