Jalapeño Margaritas

Things are getting spicy! Learn how to make Jalapeño Margaritas. This cocktail recipe is an invigorating take on the traditional margarita made with the additional fresh jalapeños and ginger root. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spicy. If you are looking to turn up the heat, this recipe is for you!

You know I enjoy creating classics with a twist. That’s why I’m loving this Jalapeño Margarita recipe. It’s a regular margarita recipe jazzed up with fresh jalapeño slices, ginger root, and a lime sea salt rim. The combination of flavors is perfect.

Several years ago on IBC, I shared recipes for a Sweet Heat Cocktail and a Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini. I think that’s when my love affair with adding heat and spiciness to a cocktail recipe began.

I’ve tested this recipe in several different ways and finally found the best combination of ingredients to create the ultimate jalapeño margaritas. I know you’re going to love them!

Why You’ll Enjoy This Recipe

• There’s something about heat plus sweet that I especially like in a drink. I’m not suggesting burn-your-lips spicy. I’m talking about an element of heat that adds another layer of flavor, tang, and energy. This recipe delivers just that!
• These Jalapeño Margaritas are easy to make. I love when a cocktail recipe feels unique and unexpected, but is still really simple to make.

Now don’t worry, if spicy cocktails aren’t your thing, I’ve have an entire list with many other fun and tasty margarita recipes on Inspired by Charm.

Okay, I think we’re ready to shake up a cocktail or two.

Ingredients

Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients you will need to make a jalapeño margarita.

• fresh jalapeños – This is where you’ll get your heat. Did you know that most of the heat in a jalapeño is in the seeds and white inner pith? If you want things less spicy remove the seeds and pith.
• ginger root – This add great depth of flavor and another element of heat and bite.
• tequila – You can use whichever brand you like. I prefer a middle-of-the-road brand like Jose Cuervo.
• triple sec – My go-to is Cointreau. Grand Marnier is another delicious option.
• lime juice – Please use freshly squeezed. Seriously, the bottled stuff that is sold at the store does not compare. 
• simple syrup – This is one instance where you could buy the store-bought. However, it’s beyond simple to make, so it’s just easier (and less expensive) to make your own. I even have a simple syrup recipe.

How to Make

In this recipe, I’m going to show you how to make one Jalapeño Margarita. You can easily double, triple, or quadruple this recipe to serve more folks.

I’ll walk you through the recipe here. For your convenience, there is a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

1. Prepare the glass you’ll be serving the margarita in. On a plate, mix together sea salt and lime zest. I recommend mixing them together with your fingers so you can pinch and crush the two together.

2. Then, run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip the glass into the salt and lime zest mixture. Set aside.
3. Next, prepare the margarita mix. Infuse the jalapeño and ginger flavor into the cocktail by placing a few pieces of jalapeño and ginger in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour in simple syrup.

4. Then use a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to smash the jalapeño and ginger root into the simple syrup. This is where you’ll get that delicious heat.
5. Now add ice to the cocktail shaker and pour in the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
6. Shake vigorously.
7. Add a few more ice cubes to your prepared glass and then strain the margarita mixture into the glass. Garnish with a few jalapeño slices and a wedge of lime.

That’s it, my friends! Cheers to the sweet heat of this Jalapeño Margarita.

Recipe Variations

Of course, you can customize this cocktail recipe to suit your tastes.

• Want it sweeter? Add more simple syrup.
• Craving more heat? Toss in extra jalapeño slices and ginger root.
• Like things on the sour side? Add more lime juice.

Recipe Notes

If you find the margarita to be a little too intense, squeeze in the juice from one orange wedge. It’s amazing how that small addition of fresh orange juice mellows a margarita.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this tasty cocktail recipe. This Jalapeño Margarita has quickly become a new favorite at my house, and it may just be my summer go-to. Cheers!

More Margaritas Recipes You May Enjoy

• Homemade Margarita Mix
• Strawberry Margarita Punch
• Prickly Pear Margarita
• Raspberry Strawberry Margarita
• Vanilla Pineapple Margarita
• The BEST Strawberry Margarita Mix

I hope you’ll try shaking up a jalapeño margarita or two. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Jalapeño Margarita

Things are getting spicy! Today on the blog we are making a Jalapeño Margarita, an invigorating take on the traditional margarita. If you’re wanting to spice things up, this recipe is for you!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cocktail, ginger, jalapeño, margarita

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 drink

Calories: 362kcal

Ingredients

• 3-4 slices jalapeño
• 3 slices fresh ginger root
• 2 ounces tequila (I prefer blanco.)
• 3/4 ounce orange liqueur (I prefer Cointreau.)
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup (My recipe is linked in the notes below.)
• Ice

Garnish*:

• 2 tablespoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• Jalapeño slices and a lime wedge

Instructions

• Start by preparing the glass. On a plate, mix together sea salt and lime zest. I recommend mixing it together with your fingers so you can pinch and crush the two together.
• Then, run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Dip the glass into the salt and lime zest mixture. Set aside.
• The next step is to prepare the margarita mix. Add a few pieces of jalapeño and ginger to the bottom of a cocktail shaker; then pour in simple syrup. (My recipe for simple syrup is linked in the notes section below.)
• Use a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to smash the jalapeño and ginger root into the simple syrup.
• Next, add ice to the cocktail shaker and pour in tequila, orange liquor, and lime juice. Shake vigorously.
• Add a few more ice cubes to the prepared glass. Then strain the margarita mixture into the glass.
• Garnish with a few jalapeño slices and a wedge of lime.

Notes

You can find my recipe for simple syrup here. In that post, I’ve also included links to simple syrup that you can purchase.

*This amount of salt and lime zest mixture should be enough for 4-6 glasses.

Nutrition

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13981mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 2911IU | Vitamin C: 327mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg