Spicy Margarita Recipe
This simple spicy margarita recipe has a delightful kick! Adding jalapenos adds heat (and super slight pepper flavor), making it the perfect tequila drink for days when you’re in the mood for something just a bit feistier than your beloved classic margarita.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Margarita
This simple spicy margarita recipe is no different from the other easy margaritas you make at home! With just one extra ingredient, you’ll sip a sassy jalapeno margarita in no time.
The spiciness complements the citrusy goodness of lime juice and orange liqueur and tequila’s smoothness. The result is an irresistible homemade spicy margarita that you’ll want to enjoy often. It’s a great, flavorful twist on the classic recipe.
Related: Cadillac Margarita
It seriously couldn’t be easier to make a jalapeno margarita. This recipe is great when you’re in the mood for a jazzed-up cocktail but don’t want to add much extra effort.
Whether relaxing on a beach, at home or hosting summer parties with friends, this easy spicy cocktail recipe will give you the perfect refreshing margarita to sip and enjoy.
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Orange liqueur
- Jalapeno slices
We used Bribón Tequila Blanco to make this jalapeño margarita recipe. This tequila is flavorful and a good choice for making spicy margaritas. But, as always, you can use whatever blanco tequila you have in your bar. You can also try making this with a Reposado tequila if you prefer your margarita with a little bit more flavor.
Fresh lime juice is a must for making delicious margaritas. Bottled juices may give your margarita a stale taste, which you wouldn’t want to detect in your cocktail.
For orange liqueur, we used DeKuyper Triple Sec, which offers a nice sweet orange flavor to margaritas. If you prefer, you can also use Cointreau or any other orange liqueur.
To give this cocktail recipe its signature heat and kick, we used about 3 to 4 jalapeno slices per drink. The good thing about this pepper is that it offers delicious heat without being too much or overwhelming to your senses. It provides just the right amount of spice to keep the margarita super sippable!
Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the complete recipe.
How to Make a Spicy Margarita
Rim the Glass
Wet the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge or a small brush dipped in lime juice. Lastly, dip the glass into the Tajin container. (Or pour some Tajin onto a plate). Then set aside.
Related: How to Salt a Margarita Glass Rim Properly
Depending on your preference, you can either cover the entire rim with the Tajin seasoning and salt mix, or just the portion of the rim you will be drinking from (which I did when making this drink.)
Step 1
Add lime juice and jalapeno slices to the cocktail shaker. Gently muddle the jalapeno slices to release the oils.
Step 2
Add the tequila blanco and Triple Sec.
Step 3
Add ice and shake well.
Step 4
Strain the mixture into the rimmed margarita glass, then top with extra jalapeño slices or lime wedges. Serve and enjoy.
Tips
- If you want the recipe for this spicy margarita to be less spicy, be sure to remove the ribs and seeds from the jalapeno slices before adding them. If you want a spicier drink, add more jalapenos while keeping the ribs and seeds.
- Add a touch of agave nectar or simple syrup if you like your jalapeno margarita with a sweet edge.
- To make a spicy margarita mocktail, use soda or sparkling water instead of tequila, then orange juice in place or orange liqueur along with fresh lime. Adjust sweetness by adding a little agave.
Variations to Try
Frequently Asked Questions
A spicy margarita! The jalapenos add a depth of flavor and complexity to the classic margarita, making it more enjoyable. The pepper gives it just a slight flavor, which is a bit like green bell pepper. But it’s subtle.
Some say the drink originated in Mexico, while others say it started in San Francisco. Regardless of where they’re from, spicy margaritas remain very popular among locals and tourists, and it’s not hard to see why!
Enjoy spicy margaritas with enchiladas, flautas, shrimp cakes, and spicy queso. But I like them with just about anything.
We like this simple spicy margarita recipe with a Tajin rim, but you can use a regular margarita salt rim or skip it altogether. Serve this soon and let us know what you think.
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More Margarita Posts
And if you’re a Marvel fan check out our Wolverine Margarita (it’s a pineapple margarita) and Deadpool Margarita (Sea Breeze Margarita).
Jalapeno Margarita
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Tequila Blanco
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 3 slices jalapeno pepper
Instructions
- Rim the margarita glass with Tajin (or salt, it's personal preference).
- Add jalapeno slices and lime juice to the cocktail shaker. Muddle the pepper to release the oils.
- Add the tequila blanco and Triple Sec.
- Add ice and shake.
- Strain the mixture into the margarita glass, then top with extra jalapeño slices or lime wedges.
Notes
-
- If you like to keep bits of jalapeno slices in your finished drink, muddle them on the bottom of your margarita glass instead of adding them to the cocktail shaker.
- If you like a sweet edge to your jalapeno margarita, add a touch of agave nectar or simple syrup.
- To keep it from being too hot, remove the white ribs from inside the jalapeno and try not to use any seeds.
- Try other peppers (like serrano or habanero) for a slightly different flavor and a little more heat.
