Light & Refreshing Spicy Margarita Recipe

Truth be told, I was never a big fan of margaritas. That is, until I went to La Hacienda Ranch restaurant in Dallas. Their margaritas changed my life: Smooth, not too sweet, and just tart enough. I was hooked. It even inspired my How to Make the Best Margarita guide. Today, I’ve tweaked my classic margarita a little bit to spice things up with jalapeño. My husband told me these spicy margaritas are the BEST margs I’ve made so far! We like to serve them with my cheesy beef enchiladas or Baja fish tacos.

Are you a margarita lover? Then you definitely need to make my frozen margarita or this blood orange margarita. They’re just as smooth and refreshing as this spicy one!

Key Ingredients

This is basically a traditional margarita as the base. The only thing I changed was infusing the tequila with jalapeño. Here’s what you’ll need, and you’ll find the full ingredients list with amounts in the recipe card.

• Tequila – When it comes to margaritas, I like to use a reposado, blanco (white), or añejo (aged) tequila.
• Jalapeño – To infuse the tequila, I use fresh jalapeños, slice them up, and soak them in the tequila with the seeds. For a milder drink, remove the seeds.
• Cointreau – Cointreau is less sweet than Grand Mariner or triple sec, though both of the latter will work.
• Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is best. You’ll taste the difference!
• Orange Juice – I use orange juice in place of simple syrup. Be sure to use fresh, 100% orange juice, not from concentrate, either freshly squeezed or store-bought.
• Agave (optional) – If you like your margaritas sweet like my husband, adding just a touch of agave really balances things out and makes this margarita super smooth.

How to Infuse Tequila

Some recipes muddle jalapeños to release their juices into the drink. Others use mezcal instead of tequila. I opted to infuse the tequila with jalapeño so that spicy heat goes through the whole drink.

• Combine. Add 1 1/2 cups of tequila to a mason jar, and 1/3 – 1/2 cup of jalapeño. One large, sliced-up jalapeño pepper with the seeds is about 1/3 cup.
• Infuse. Cover and let the tequila sit at least overnight, if not longer. Then, strain the tequila and discard the chili peppers.

How to Make the Best Spicy Margarita

To make this spicy margarita recipe in single-serve form, you’ll need a cocktail shaker and a shot glass. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare the tequila. Follow the steps above to add tequila blanco and sliced jalapeños to a mason jar. Cover and let sit for at least 24 hours (the longer you let it infuse, the more “spice” it will have).
2. Mix the cocktail. To a cocktail shaker, add your jalapeño tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, lime juice, orange juice, and agave if you’d like a sweeter margarita. Shake, and then pour the contents over crushed ice.
3. Serve. Garnish with more jalapeño slices and/or a lime wedge, and sip away!

Margarita Pitcher Instructions

If I’m hosting a get-together and don’t want to be stuck with a cocktail shaker in my hand all night, I make a spicy margarita pitcher! To make it, I add jalapeño tequila and the rest of the margarita ingredients to a pitcher and stir. I’ll store the pitcher in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve.

Margarita Tips

• Use good tequila. This is a game-changer! Good tequila to me means no headache afterwards. So, I usually buy higher-end tequila like Don Julio, Herradura, El Jimador, or Campo Azul.
• Fresh is best. When it comes to margaritas, fresh-squeezed juice is best. 
• Pour over crushed ice. Trust me, crushed ice makes a difference. If you’re making a single serve, I even like to add crushed ice to the cocktail shaker to really chill down the cocktail.
• Shaken, not stirred. I know, I know. I have a pitcher version, and you stir it. But, if you have the time, add a 6-ounce serving to a cocktail shaker with some crushed ice. Give the margarita a good shake and then serve. I don’t know what happens in that shaker, but it’s definitely different in the most wonderful way possible!

What to Serve With Spicy Margaritas

My favorite food to pair with a margarita is Tex-Mex! Right in time for Cinco de Mayo, these are some ideas:

• Dips: Serve a spicy margarita with chips and guacamole or pico de gallo. One of my favorite game day appetizers!
• Tacos: A margarita is the perfect way to wash down carne asada tacos and spicy shrimp tacos.
• Salad: Try my Mexican street corn salad or this easy grilled steak fajita salad.

Can I Make a Non-Alcoholic Version?

Yes! You can make a virgin spicy margarita following my margarita mocktail recipe. In this case, I’d suggest muddling the jalapeño with the lime juice before straining and combining the juice with the other ingredients.

More Margarita Recipes

• Pomegranate Margarita
• Skinny Margarita
• Classic Cadillac Margarita
• Frozen Mango Margaritas
• Christmas Margarita

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