Love it or hate it, I happen to like Chuy's quite a bit. Even when the line is long, even when it's full of screaming children and drunk college students. Just grab a seat at the bar and suddenly both the wait and the commotion are distant memories in the face of a New Mexican martini with jalapeno-infused tequila and a cup of creamy jalapeno sauce to go along with your tortilla chips.
I tend to only make it to Chuy's once in a blue moon, which means I'm left craving those New Mexican martinis on a pretty consistent basis. But not to despair! Another Austin-based company, Republic, has created a line of spirit blends that lets me mix up my own spicy concoctions at home.
I came across the new line of Republic spirit blends at Spec's on Smith, where the Texas company has created four flavors that pair either with Republic's own tequila or whatever you happen to have on hand: Jalapeno-Lime, Classic Lime, Prickly Pear and Pineapple Basil. Each one sells for $9.99 for 32 ounces.
I've only tried the Jalapeno-Lime so far, mixed with some Herradura Silver, and it has that same spiky kick to it that I love about Chuy's New Mexican martini. It requires some shaking before you mix it with the tequila, but that's the great thing about the spirit blend: they're made with all-natural juices, right here in Texas. No preservatives, no artificial flavors.
Of course, that also means the blends won't keep indefinitely in your cupboard or refrigerator. But as good as the Jalapeno-Lime blend is, I don't think that it'll last long enough for that to even be a problem.
