Let’s get something straight: bell pepper belongs in more than stir-fries and hummus trays. It belongs in your cocktail glass—when it’s used right. These five bell pepper cocktails combine savory flavor with bright citrus, fresh herbs, bold spirits, and just the right amount of weird. You’ll find both green and red bell pepper drinks here, with everything from smoky mezcal to botanical liqueurs and modern gin.
Whether you’re a home bartender or just cocktail-curious, these drinks prove that vegetables aren’t just garnish—they’re core ingredients.
Red Flag – A Sweet and Savory Red Bell Pepper Whiskey Sour
This one is your entry point. A bourbon sour turned sideways, the Red Flag mixes muddled red bell pepper with strawberry, lemon, and bitters. It’s fruity, savory, and surprisingly drinkable.
The bell pepper doesn’t take over—it backs up the strawberry and adds depth. If you want a red cocktail that isn’t cloying, this is it.
Sage Ceremony – A Shochu Cocktail with Sage and Green Bell Pepper
Herbal, citrusy, and delicate, Sage Ceremony uses Honkaku Colorful Shochu as its base and brings in lime, sage, green bell pepper, and Fontbonne liqueur.
It’s one of the most balanced, elegant drinks in this collection—clean and savory without ever feeling heavy.
Get the Sage Ceremony recipe →
Green Ghost – A Smoky Tequila and Green Bell Pepper Cocktail
Sweet, tropical, and just smoky enough to feel dangerous. Green Ghost is made with tequila, mezcal, pineapple juice, and muddled green bell pepper.
It’s an unexpected combo that somehow just works. Imagine a smoky margarita walked through a farmer’s market and came back evolved.
Bell Pepper Gimlet – A Crisp, Clean, Herbaceous Twist
This is the cocktail for gin lovers who want something sharper. The Bell Pepper Gimlet is light, bright, and full of flavor—featuring fresh lime, muddled green bell pepper, and a classic gin sour structure.
It’s a great warm-weather drink with a vegetal edge that keeps it from feeling too sweet.
Get the Bell Pepper Gimlet recipe →
Bell Pepper Negroni – Bitter, Earthy, and Unexpected
If you think Negronis are already intense, try adding muddled red bell pepper. The Bell Pepper Negroni swaps out Campari for Cynar and adds an earthy, savory layer that gives the classic bitter cocktail a fresh perspective.
Served over ice with a visible pepper slice in the glass, it’s as bold in appearance as it is in flavor.
Get the Bell Pepper Negroni recipe →
Final Thoughts on Bell Pepper Cocktails
Bell peppers might not be a common cocktail ingredient, but that’s exactly why they work. They add freshness, earthiness, and a clean sweetness that complements spirits and citrus better than you’d think.
These five drinks are proof that the best cocktails don’t have to come from a speakeasy—they can come from your produce drawer.