This is the “you were warned” one. From Alise at Vespa’s 7, Hot AF! is a finely ground Paleo spice mix made with garlic, cumin, ginger, salt, turmeric, Carolina Reaper, and allspice for serious heat with actual flavor behind it. What it is Hot AF! is the hottest blend in the Vespa’s 7 lineup: created after someone asked Alise if she could make something even hotter than Hot. Enter: Carolina Reaper. But this is not just heat for the sake of suffering. The signature Vespa’s 7 base of garlic, cumin, turmeric, and ginger gives it savory depth, while allspice adds a little warm complexity underneath the fire. It is bold, intense, and definitely not pretending to be mild. Why it’s special This is Alise’s most awarded blend, and hilariously, the one she’s most proud of even though she says Carolina Reaper and she “should never meet.” Hot AF! has won multiple awards, including recognition from ZestFest, the International Flavor Awards, and the Scovie Awards. So yes, it brings the heat. But it also brings credentials. Like the rest of the Vespa’s 7 lineup, Hot AF! is finely ground, which makes it incredibly versatile. Use a tiny sprinkle for controlled heat, stir it into chili or taco meat, dust it onto roasted vegetables, or mix it into sauces when you want a little chaos in the best way. How to use it Start small. Seriously. Use Hot AF! on chili, tacos, wings, grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, eggs, burgers, soups, marinades, or anything that needs a fearless kick. It is especially great when you want to add heat without dragging in a vinegary hot sauce flavor. A little goes a long way, which also makes it a fun one for the spice lovers who like to customize their own plate. Good to know Vespa’s 7 mixes are Whole30 and Go Texan approved, made with Alise’s low-salt philosophy, and designed to do more than sit in the BBQ rub category. Hot AF! is fiery, award-winning, and not for the faint of tongue, but for the right person, it is absolutely the one.
