Skip to main content

This Vodka is Infused With Carolina Reapers — The Hottest Peppers on Earth

carolina reaper vodka
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Swill is our bi-monthly column dedicated to liquor, wine, beer, and every other delicious dram that falls under the broader umbrella of booze. But it’s more than just tasting notes scribbled on a cocktail napkin — Swill is about getting outside of your comfort zone, trying new things, and exploring the big, wide world of libations. One week you might catch us halfway through a bottle of single-malt scotch, and the week after that we might be buzzing on some Ugandan moonshine made from bananas. This column is just one big boozy adventure, so grab yourself a glass and join us for another round.

product-carolina-reaperCharleston Distilling Co. must be staffed with a bunch of madmen. Don’t get me wrong; I love a good pepper-infused spirit just as much as the next guy — but it takes a special kind of crazy to willingly infuse your vodka with Carolina Reapers.

If you’re not familiar, the Carolina Reaper currently holds the title as the World’s hottest chili pepper. First cultivated in the heart of South Carolina, the pepper boasts a whopping 2.2 million Scoville Heat Units — meaning it’s over 1,100 times as hot as your average jalapeño.

Related: The 5 Hottest Chili Peppers in the World

To make vodka with this nasty little bugger, Charleston Distilling starts with its fantastic King Charles vodka — a clean, crisp, and slightly peppery spirit made from farm-milled corn and rye. From there, they give the hooch a fresh infusion of raw Reapers, and then just let the concoction steep until it develops a good amount of heat.

I haven’t actually tried this stuff quite yet, but based on my experiences with vodka infused with far less-potent peppers, i’m willing to bet that this stuff will probably melt your face off. Yet, for some odd reason, I feel strangely compelled to give it a try.

Stay tuned for a tasting video. We’ll let you know how it goes.

Editors' Recommendations

Drew Prindle
Drew is our resident tech nerd. He’s spent most of his life trying to be James Bond, so naturally he’s developed an…
Kick off Hispanic heritage month with these 2 incredible tequila drink recipes from mixologist Javier Ramirez
These recipes are great all year, too
Cantera Negra

September 15th through October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month. There’s no better way to kick off this month of celebration of the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans than by imbibing some well-made, delicious tequila. There’s no spirit more entrenched in Hispanic history and one that deserves not only a month of celebration, but a whole year of celebration.

For those unaware, the spirit must be made in Mexico to be referred to as a tequila. It can’t be made in Milwaukee and then listed as a tequila. That’s a major no-no. As Walter Sobchak states in The Big Lebowski, “There are rules.” But, while bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, tequila has more specific geographic rules. It. can only be made in the state of Jalisco (where the town of Tequila is located) and a few areas in the states of Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, and Guanajuato.

Read more
When it comes to international barbecue, Mexican BBQ reigns supreme
In the rich world of grilled foods, there's just no beating Mexican barbecue
Tecate skirt steak tacos

The richness of Mexican cuisine is unparalleled. In northern Mexico, beef dishes reign supreme due to a rich history of cattle ranching. In the southern peninsula state of Yucatan, seafood is a way of life. In vibrant and fast-paced Mexico City, diners enjoy al pastor tacos on busy streets. Because of this culinary diversity, it's no surprise that Mexican barbecue is also a force to be reckoned with.

Mexico has a rich tradition of barbecue that stretches back in time to the period of the ancient Mayans. This historic lineage has fused with European influences to produce a phenomenal style of slow-cooked meat unparalleled in flavor. Keep reading to learn more about Mexican BBQ, its history, and more.

Read more
This secret All-Clad site has massive savings on the best kitchen equipment on earth
All Clad is the best, and now it's less expensive
All-clad set

If you've spent any amount of time in a kitchen, be it professional or home, you know that All-Clad cookware is the best there is. This brand has been around since the 1970s and has royally reigned over the cookware world for its high-quality performance, durability, and sleek design. All-Clad's range of kitchen equipment cooks food evenly, provides wonderful temperature control, and surpasses even the highest standards with its top-quality, U.S.-sourced materials. Unfortunately, all of these incredible perks tend to come at a price. All-Clad cookware and kitchen supplies can be pretty pricy investments. And while those investments are always worthwhile, they aren't always something on which everyone wants to break the bank.

That's where Home & Cook comes in.

Read more