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!
Jalapeño Margaritas
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.
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. If you’ve never tried something spicy in a cocktail, I highly recommend it.
But don’t worry, if spicy cocktails aren’t your thing, I’ve posted many other fun and tasty margarita recipes on Inspired by Charm. Lots of them are listed here.
Okay, I think we’re ready to shake up a cocktail or two.
How do you make a Jalapeño Margarita?
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.
First, 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.
Then, run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip the glass into the salt and lime zest mixture. Set aside.
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. (You can find my recipe for simple syrup here.)
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.
Now add ice to the cocktail shaker and pour in the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. (Detailed measurements and instructions are listed in the printable recipe card below.)
Shake vigorously.
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.
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.
Margarita Quick Tip:
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!
If you like this cocktail recipe, you’ll love these:
- Homemade Margarita Mix
- Strawberry Margarita Punch
- Prickly Pear Margarita
- Raspberry Strawberry Margarita
- Vanilla Pineapple Margarita
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Jalapeño Margarita Recipe:
Jalapeño Margarita
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
- 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
Nutrition Facts
great idea, I’m in and will even add extra jalapeno and lime, love those glasses too, please tell where, thank you!
Perfect!! And unfortunately the glasses are no longer sold. I bought them years ago.
xo Michael
Thank you for this amazing recipe. I love these glasses, where are they from?
They were from CB2. Unfortunately it seems like they don’t sell them anymore.
xo Michael