Spicy Margarita

Though classic margaritas are pretty perfect on their own, I think adding a little kick makes them even better. Infusing alcohol is one of my favorite ways to get creative with cocktails, but it works especially well with jalapeños in this margarita. The addition of cucumber balances out the heat, making these margaritas the perfect summer drink to cool off (and bring the heat) all summer long. Keep reading on for all of my tips on how to make the best spicy margarita possible:

How To Make A Spicy Margarita

INGREDIENTS

• Tequila: There’s no need to reach for top-shelf tequila for this recipe, as the flavors of jalapeño and cucumber take center stage. That said, if you like sipping tequila on the rocks, go for a brand you like to drink solo and try some on its own.
• Jalapeños & Cucumbers: A long steep in tequila allows the fresh verdant flavor of the jalapeños to come through, along with that signature spice. To balance the heat, we recommend the addition of sliced cucumber to cool things down.
• Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice makes all the difference here—skip the bottled stuff!
• Orange Liqueur: For the orange liqueur, my preference is Cointreau for its balanced, not-too-sweet flavor. Some brands are considerably sweeter, so if you like your margs on the zestier side, start with ¾ ounce orange liqueur, taste, and add more if necessary.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First, we create a jalapeño and cucumber infused tequila to add the spicy kick to our margarita. While it may sound complicated, never fear: All you need to do is muddle your jalapeño in your tequila in a jar, add your cucumber, then seal and store for at least 8 to 12 hours. Strain the tequila mixture, discard the solids, and pour back into the jar. Refrigerate until ready to use—this tequila can be made up to 2 weeks ahead of time.

Before creating the rest of the cocktail, we’re going to prepare our glasses first by combining granulated sugar and salt in a shallow bowl. Use lime wedges to coat the rims of your glasses, then dip into the sugar mixture to fully coat.

Once you make your infused tequila, then it’s as easy as combining the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice, then shake for around 30 seconds. Strain into your prepared glass, garnish with a lime wedge and jalapeño slices, and get to sippin’!

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Spicy Margarita Variations

Once you’ve got the spicy margarita ratios down, you can get creative. Add the infused tequila to practically any of your favorite variations, from our peach margarita to pineapple margarita to our salted and sliced watermelon margarita. Looking for more natural ingredients? Add the infused tequila to our skinny margarita.

Make Ahead

If you’re serving a party, this spicy margarita recipe will be your new best friend: this recipe yields enough infused tequila to make 8 margaritas, and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks so you can keep the good times goin’ with these margaritas, or by spicing up your other favorite tequila cocktails! Serve in individual glasses, or in a pitcher to please your crowd.