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So much flavor and zing in this Spicy Margarita. Not only are we making a great cocktail, but we can also put together this Simple Spicy Margarita with Jalapenos in just a few minutes!

Watermelon Spicy Margarita on a white mat wihth jalepeno slices and a lime half in the background
A delicious spicy margarita to cool things off and heat things up.

classic margarita recipe is great, but it is always fun to spice it up a bit. This spicy margarita is such an easy way to spice up your DIY margarita and make it something a bit unique and special. 

Also, if you check out the notes, I give a few great ideas to change up this recipe to make it even more special and unique. While I love the classics, this isn’t our first unique margarita. Check out our Cotton Candy Margarita, this frozen greyhound margarita, or our ice cream Mojitarita. If you are looking for a light appetizer to serve up with this drink, check out this fresh grapefruit ceviche recipe. No matter what you make, make sure to treat yourself.

🌶 Ingredients

This is pretty close to our classic margarita, but we spice it up a bit. 

  • lime juice
  • jalapeño
  • tequila
  • Cointreau Triple Sec
  • Tajin or Salt for rim

I use salt, but Tajin is great for this spicy margarita rim and will add a Mexican flair. 

See the recipe card for quantities.

🍲 Instructions

This is very similar to many rimmed glass cocktails with added ingredients. The big difference is that we add in a few slices of jalapenos and muddle it in. 

Spicy Margarita with a salted rim and jalapenos off to the side.
If you want a simple and unique margarita with a bit of spice, give this recipe a try.

🤷 Substitutions and variations

There are some ways you can really change up this margarita cocktail and make it your own. 

  • Pepper – We use jalapeno, but you could really use any kind of pepper. Want something scorching spicy? use a ghost pepper. Something milder; use an ancho pepper. You could just use MORE pepper to add a bit more flavor.
  • Tajin – Salt is great for this, as well. 
  • Tequila – Use the blanco tequila that works well for you. I use Espelon generally, as it is reasonably priced and tastes good. Don Julio or Petron woudl work great for this as well.
  • Infused Tequila – One of my favorites is to make this with watermelon-infused tequila, but you could really experiment with this. To make watermelon-infused tequila, add some watermelon to a quart mason jar. Muddle it just a little. Fill with tequila and put in your refrigerator for at least a week. 

🎓 History tidbit

Tequila has been around since the 1500s and first produced around what is now known as the city of Tequila, but the use of the agave plant goes as far back as 10,000 years ago.

It has been a source of food for a very long time, but there is also a history of fermenting the plant to produce an alcoholic beverage called pulque, that has been made for over 1,000 years. This is NOT tequila, but a fermented product of the agave plant.

❓ FAQ

What’s in a spicy margarita?

That depends on the recipe, but it could be anything from fresh peppers to spice-infused tequila.

Do you need triple sec for a margarita?

Yes. One of the main ingredients for a margarita besides tequila is triple sec.

What is muddling in bartending?

Using an instrument to muddle, or crush and blend and solid into the cocktail.

What does a spicy margarita taste like?

This is largely dependent on the ingredients you use. If you use jalapeno, the cocktail will have some jalapeno flavor.

📝 Tips and tricks

  • Use infused tequila for a more unique cocktail.
  • There are different kinds of tequila, but blanco (or white) tequila is the best for this mixed drink. 

🛠 Products used in this recipe

  1. Lowball Glasses
  2. Cocktail Shaker Kit

😋 Did you make this recipe?

That is awesome, and thank you so much for giving this spicy margarita a try. If you could leave a rating in the comment area below, it would be greatly appreciated. This lets me know how I am doing and also helps others decide if they want to make this food processor ground beef recipe. Most of all, thanks for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.

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Watermelon Spicy Margarita on a white mat wihth jalepeno slices and a lime half in the background

Watermelon Infused Tequila Spicy Margarita

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  • Author: Ben Myhre
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaker
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

The right balance of Summertime fruit and a kick to make this cocktail perfect for someone who likes a bit of spice in their life. A perfect spicy margarita!


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ ounce of lime juice (approximately ½ lime)
  • 4 thin slices of jalapeño
  • 2 ounces watermelon-infused tequila (see notes for recipe)
  • 1 ounce Cointreau
  • Salt or optionally Tajin for rim

Instructions

  1. Put two slices of jalapeno into shaker
  2. Put lime into shaker and muddle with jalapeño
  3. Add ice
  4. Add tequila
  5. Add Cointreau
  6. Use spent lime to moisten rim of a lowball glass
  7. Salt rim and fill the same glass with ice
  8. Shake cocktail in the shaker for about 30 seconds and strain into ice-filled glass
  9. Garnish with remaining jalapeño slices
  10. SERVE

Notes

  • Use infused tequila for a more unique cocktail.
  • There are different kinds of tequila, but blanco (or white) tequila is the best for this mixed drink.

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2 Comments

  1. Apparently, when you soak fruit in a strong alcohol for a substantial amount of time, the fruit becomes super-alcoholic. I’d be interested in the science behind that. I mean, I’m not surprised that the fruit soaks up alcohol, but why would it become so intense? I was at a restaurant in Memphis that served a vodka that they were infusing with pineapple on a shelf above the bar. The server brought me a glass with a piece of the fruit as its garnish, and just as I was about to pop it in my mouth, she said, “You might not want to do that. I’ve had people pass out when they ate the whole thing at once. You should nibble on it instead.” And man, I was so glad she told me that. Even the little nibbles were like alcohol bombs.