Heat up your cocktail repertoire with this spicy jalapeno margarita recipe! Crispy and flavorful, it’s got just the right amount.
Want to warm up your cocktail repertoire? meet him jalapeno Margarita! This flavorful margarita recipe shakes up the classic with a few slices of jalapeño pepper. It adds a kick to the finish that takes this drink to new heights. It tastes crisp and tart on the first sip, then POW! It has just the right amount of heat to mix things up, but not so much that it burns your throat. We couldn’t forget how delicious it was with the combination of crunchy, tart and spicy. (Oh: and there’s no added sugar.) Here’s how they’re made!
What’s in a Jalapeño Margarita?
The margarita is a classic alcoholic beverage on the International Bartender Association’s list of official IBA cocktails. This means there is an “official” definition of margarita ingredients, which are the 3 parts of our classic margarita. Add sliced jalapeno peppers and you have a jalapeno margarita! Here’s what it contains:
- tequila
- Cointreau
- lime juice
- Jalapeño pepper slices
You’ll find that this flavorful margarita recipe has no added sugar. So many bars and restaurants serve overly sweet versions, but don’t bother! A bit of sugar in the Cointreau is just the right note here. Without any simple syrup!
The level of spiciness in this spicy margarita recipe
Excellent question. You can customize it to your liking! Here are some notes on the heat level:
- 3 to 4 thin slices of jalapeno pepper make a medium-hot drink. So use 1-2 for subtle heat and more if you want to blast your face. (Try this at your own risk!)
- Keep in mind that jalapeno peppers can vary in spice level. So play it safe: you can taste and add some more after shaking it in the shaker.
- Remove the seeds or leave them in. Alex and I liked the spiciness of 3 slices with the seeds, but we like spicy food: use that as a guide!
- The spice is sweeter than when eaten. You’ll find that drinking your spices is easier to manage than eating them.
do you like jalapenos Try more irresistible jalapeno recipes.
How to Make a Spicy Jalapeno Margarita
Ready to brew this fiery drink? Because we think this is going to be your new favorite margarita recipe (hopefully!). Here’s all you need to do:
- Rim the glass with salt. The salt enhances the tart and spicy taste of the drink!
- Shake in a cocktail shaker. Take that tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice and shake them together in a shaker with 4 ice cubes and… the jalapeno slices!
- Pour into a glass and add ice. Pour the drink into a glass and add ice cubes. Garnish with a few extra jalapeno slices for fun!
What is the best tequila for margaritas?
Many people use tequila blanco for margaritas. But Alex and I prefer the robust flavor of Tequila Reposado; it adds another nuance to the taste. What is the difference?
- Tequila blanco (or “new” tequila) has been matured for less than 2 months and has a strong, clean flavor.
- Tequila reposado (“rested” in Spanish) ages longer, from 2 to 12 months. It has a more nuanced flavor with hints of oak and vanilla.
In any case, try to find one Mid-range tequila in preparing this flavorful margarita recipe. You can definitely taste the difference!
Pair a flavorful jalapeno margarita with food
This tangy jalapeno margarita is best enjoyed neat so you can enjoy all the flavor and warmth in the background. But of course we like to combine that with food. You will want food that is flavorful and not too spicy per se to offset the spiciness of the drink. Here’s what we would serve:
More margarita variations
You may have noticed: Alex and I love margaritas! We love a lot of cocktails, but this tangy citrus margarita recipe hits the spot for us. Here are some of our favorite methods of making margins:
When to serve a spicy jalapeno margarita
This Spicy Jalapeno Margarita really is perfect for any time you would serve a regular margarita! It works like:
- Happy hour drink
- Drink at dinner
- Late night drinks
- Evening drink between boys or between girls
- Aperitif at aperitif time
The description
Heat up your cocktail repertoire with this spicy jalapeno margarita recipe! Crispy and flavorful, it’s got just the right amount. Perfect for sipping or with tacos.
- 3 tablespoons (1½ ounce) White or Reposado Tequila*
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) Cointreau
- 1½ tablespoons (¾ ounce) fresh lime juice
- 3 at 4 jalapeno pepper slices
- Kosher salt or sea salt flakes for the rim
- For garnish: lime wedge, more jalapeño slices
- Cut the jalapeño peppers into 3 to 4 thin slices. If you prefer a more subtle heat, scoop out the seeds.* (Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.)
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then brush the lime over the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim in a plate of flaky sea salt (or use our Margarita Salt for a festive look).
- Pour all ingredients into a shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake cold. (At this point, feel free to taste and adjust the spice level to your liking.)
- Strain the margarita into the glass with the salt rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
Remarks
* We used 3 discs with the seeds for a medium-hot drink. Keep in mind that jalapeno peppers can vary in spiciness! Feel free to adjust the number of slices and seeds to suit your preferences.
- Category: beverages
- Method: Shocked
- Kitchen: cocktails
- Diet: vegan
Keywords: Jalapeno Margarita, Spicy Margarita Recipe
Last update: March 2021
