Spicy Jalapeño Margarita

Heat up your cocktail repertoire with this spicy jalapeno margarita recipe! Crisp and tart, it’s got just the right kick.

Want to heat up your cocktail repertoire? Meet the jalapeño margarita! This spicy margarita recipe shake up the classic with a few jalapeño pepper slices. It adds a kick to the finish that takes this drink to new heights. At first sip it tastes crisp and tart, and then POW! It’s got just the right amount of heat to mix things up, but not so much that it’s throat burning. We could not get over how delicious this was, with the combination of crisp, tangy, and spicy. (Oh: and there’s no added sugar.) Here’s how to make them!

What’s in a jalapeno margarita?

The margarita is a classic alcoholic drink on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This means that there’s an “official” definition of the ingredients in a margarita, which are the 3 parts of our classic margarita. Add sliced jalapeno pepper, and you’ve got a jalapeno margarita! Here’s what’s in it:

• Tequila
• Cointreau
• Lime juice
• Jalapeño pepper slices

You’ll note that there’s no added sugar in this spicy margarita recipe. So many bars and restaurants serve overly sugary versions, but there’s no need! There’s a bit of sugar in the Cointreau which adds just the right hint here. No need for simple syrup at all!

The level of heat in this spicy margarita recipe

Great question. You can customize it to your liking! Here are a few notes about the heat level:

• 3 to 4 thin jalapeno pepper slices make a medium spicy drink. So use 1 to 2 for a subtle heat and more if you want to blow your face off. (Try this at your own risk!)
• Remember that jalapeno peppers can vary in spice level. So err on the conservative side: you can taste and add a little more after shaking in the cocktail shaker.
• Remove the seeds, or leave them in. Alex and I liked the heat level of 3 slices with the seeds in, but we love spicy food: so take that as a gauge!
• The spice is smoother than with food. You’ll find drinking your spice is easier to handle than with food.

Love jalapenos? Try more Irresistible Jalapeno Recipes.

How to make a spicy jalapeno margarita

Ready to make this firey drink? Because we think it will become your new favorite margarita recipe (we hope!). Here’s all you need to do:

1. Rim the glass with salt. Salt enhances the tangy and spicy flavors in the drink!
2. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Take that tequila, Cointreau and lime juice and shake it together in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and…the jalapeno slices!
3. Strain into a glass and add ice. Strain the drink into a glass and add ice. Garnish with a few more jalapeno slices just for fun!

What’s 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 flavor. What’s the difference?

• Tequila blanco (or “new” tequila) has been aged less than 2 months and has a strong, straightforward flavor.
• Tequila reposado (“rested” in Spanish) is aged longer, from 2 to 12 months. It has a more nuanced flavor, with notes of oak and vanilla.

Either way, try to find a mid-price range tequila when you make this spicy margarita recipe. You can definitely taste the difference!

Pair a spicy jalapeno margarita with food

This spicy jalapeno margarita might be best sipped on its own, so you can enjoy all the flavor and backend heat. But of course we love to pair this one with food. You’ll want food that’s savory and not overly spicy in itself, to balance out the heat of the drink. Here’s what we’d serve:

• Chips and guac, or bean dip, or salsa… There’s really nothing better than homemade chips, warm from the oven, and this Simple Guacamole. The savory is a perfect balance to the spicy. Or try Refried Bean Dip, 5 Minute Bean Dip, or our Best Salsa.
• Shrimp. These Shrimp Tacos or Cilantro Lime Shrimp would be perfection against a crisp and cool jalapeno marg.
• Tacos or enchiladas. Try our Cauliflower Tacos or our Vegan Enchiladas.

More margarita variations

You may have noticed: Alex and I are pretty partial to the margarita! We love lots of cocktails, but this citrusy, spicy margarita recipe is where it’s at for us. Here are some of our favorite ways to make margs:

• Light: Skinny, Virgin, or Frozen
• Boozy: Mezcal Margarita or Cadillac Margarita
• Fruity: Mango, Peach, Watermelon, Blackberry, Strawberry, Pineapple Margarita or Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
• Unique: Italian Margarita or Beer Margarita
• Batch: Margarita Pitcher, Margarita Mix

When to serve a spicy jalapeno margarita

This spicy jalapeno margarita is really perfect for anytime you’d serve a regular margarita! It works as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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Last updated: March 2021