Big & Spicy From Friends of Friends

Recipe: Abraham Vucekovich , Friends of Friends , Chicago

Photo: Kristen Mendiola

January 15, 2026

A bold tropical cocktail with some heat.

Looking at the cocktail menu at Imbibe 75 Place to Watch Friends of Friends in Chicago, what you see is what you get. To make things straightforward and accessible, beverage director Abraham Vucekovich names his drinks with just two descriptors. “These two words sort of speed-date each other as our menus evolve,” Vucekovich says. “I typically approach drinks with a less-is-more approach, but each ingredient definitely says something in the resulting story of this drink.” For the Big & Spicy, he combines the bold flavors of overproof Jamaican rum, rye whiskey, and an aperitivo with the spice of jalapeños and gochujang and rounds it out with tropical fruit.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. rye whiskey
1/2 oz. Jamaican rum
1/2 oz. aperitivo (Friends of Friends uses Select)
2 slices jalapeño
1/2 oz. passion fruit liqueur
3/4 oz. fresh pineapple juice
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. mango and gochujang oleo saccharum

Tools:immersion blender, sealable container, mixing glass, shaker, strainer
Glass:footed Collins
Garnish:pineapple frond

Preparation

Add the rye, Jamaican rum, aperitivo, and passion fruit liqueur to a mixing glass with the jalapeño slices and let infuse for 20 minutes. Strain out the jalapeño and add the infused liquid to a shaker with the juices, oleo saccharum, and a small handful of crushed ice. Whip shake and pour into the glass. Top with crushed ice. Garnish.
Mango and Gochujang Oleo SaccharumAdd 1 cup of mango chunks to a sealable container. Top the fruit with 1 cup of refined sugar and 1 oz. of gochujang. Do not mix. Let it sit. Immersion blend after it sits at room temperature for 24 to 36 hours until fully incorporated. Strain through chinois. Will keep for 14 days in the refrigerator.