Spicy Jalapeno Margarita Recipe

We love how versatile a margarita can be and we have lots of margarita recipes on the blog. Try our reader favorite frozen margarita or tequila Aperol cocktail for a twist on the classic.

Looking for a margarita to serve for Cinco de Mayo or your next happy hour? This jalapeno margarita is one of the best cocktail recipes for any occasion. After drinking this fresh margarita, you won't go back to premade mixes ever again.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

Clean ingredients: This margarita recipe doesn't use a premade mix, simple syrup, or triple sec. It's made with all natural ingredients and no artificial flavors or sweeteners.

Spicy: Muddled jalapeno slices give this cocktail the perfect amount of spice.

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this spicy margarita recipe. Find exact measurements and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card.

• Tequila - make the best margarita recipe with a good quality Blanco tequila (also known as silver tequila)
• Orange juice - freshly squeezed orange juice is best
• Lime juice - freshly squeezed lime juice is best
• Jalapeño pepper - a chili pepper with a kick
• Agave nectar - a natural sweetener produced form the blue agave plant, also known as agave syrup. If you don't have this ingredient, you can substitute my jalapeno infused simple syrup.
• Optional garnish: tajin rim, orange slice, lime wedge, or sprig of cilantro

Variations

Fruit forward: For a fruity flavor, muddle fresh berries with the jalapeno. Our favorite fruits to add to this tequila cocktail are strawberries and blackberries. A splash of blackberry simple syrup would be tasty as well.

Too spicy? If this margarita is too spicy for your liking, add a splash of club soda or sparkling water to the top and stir in to tone down the spice level.

Substitutions: You can use honey or monk fruit sweetener instead of agave nectar. Or, kick up the heat and substitute hot honey for the agave.

Infused tequila: Instead of muddling jalapeno peppers in this drink, buy jalapeno infused tequila or make your own at home by soaking sliced jalapenos in tequila for a day.

How to Make a Jalapeno Margarita

One of our favorite tequila drinks, this margarita has the perfect amount of heat. We keep the ingredients simple and fresh for an easy cocktail you can whip up in just a few minutes.

Step 1: In a cocktail shaker, add 3-4 jalapeño slices, tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and agave nectar.

Step 2: Using a muddler, gently smash ingredients together until the jalapenos have been crushed.

Step 3: Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 20 seconds.

Step 4: Strain liquid from the cocktail shaker into a chilled cocktail glass. Straining the liquid will prevent any crushed jalapenos or seeds from getting into the drink. Toss out the strained jalapeños.

Step 5: Make the occasion feel fancy by garnishing the drink. Rim the glass with tajin (a chili lime salt) or a sea salt rim. Top the margarita with jalapeno slices, a wedge of citrus, or throw in a sprig of cilantro.

Expert Tips

Spice level: Remove the seeds and ribs from the inside of the jalapeno if you don't want the drink too spicy. Otherwise, leave them in for extra heat.

Muddle: Don't skip the muddling. Muddling, or crushing, a jalapeno with other liquids allows the spicy jalapeno flavor to infuse into the drink. If you don't have a muddler tool, use a wooden spoon.

Strain: Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the cocktail into a glass to prevent jalapeno seeds from getting in your drink.

Chill: Put margarita glasses in the freezer before serving to chill. In turn, you won't need to add ice which can water down the drink.