Spicy Jalapeño Margarita

Around here, we love margaritas every which way! From fruity versions like strawberry margaritas and summertime watermelon margaritas to the terrific top-shelf Cadillac margarita and bubbly sparkling margaritas worthy of celebration—Ree Drummond even has her own refreshing twist that she calls a Marg-A-Ree-Ta! But if you're looking to heat things up, consider making this jalapeño margarita for your next happy hour! Think of it as a classic lime margarita but with a kick of spice! It has just the right amount of heat and is still crisp, refreshing, and perfect when paired with homemade tortilla chips and salsa.

The first step to this boozy tequila cocktail is knowing how to make a margarita. From there, all you need to do is make your own homemade jalapeño-infused tequila—don't worry, it's easy! Pick out your favorite brand of tequila, add jalapeños, and let them mingle. Then, mix up a big batch of these spicy margaritas for entertaining! If you don't love a salt rim, try rimming your glasses in Tajín or even sugar. Serve with a big bowl of easy queso dip and guacamole or pair them with one of your favorite tacos for Taco Tuesday or a festive Cinco de Mayo fiesta!

What is a spicy margarita made of?

A classic margarita is made of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, and it's often served with salt on the rim of the glass. This spicy margarita simply uses a homemade jalapeño tequila (that's so easy to make) in place of the plain tequila (and a splash of sweetener to balance out the heat). Like so many traditional cocktails, there are tons of new takes on the margarita (like Ree's mango margaritas). They're all delicious! 

How spicy are jalapeño margaritas?

The heat in this recipe mostly comes from the jalapeño-infused tequila. Infusing it for a full day results in perfect spiciness that's not at all overwhelming. The longer the jalapeños sit in the tequila, however, the more spicy it will get! Another source of spice comes from garnishing the margaritas with fresh jalapeño slices. If you're sensitive to spice, just skip this step! If you choose to toss them in your margarita, it's a good idea to remove the seeds beforehand. No one wants to swallow a mouthful of fiery jalapeño seeds while sipping a margarita!

How long should you infuse jalapeños in tequila?

For this recipe, you only need one day to make the jalapeño-infused tequila. Simply allow the jalapeño halves to soak in the tequila at room temperature for 24 hours. 

How long does jalapeño tequila last?

Once you remove the jalapeño from the alcohol, you can keep the infused tequila for up to 6 months in a sealed container. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated—you can simply store it like you would any other tequila at room temperature on your bar cart. 

What else can I use jalapeño tequila for?

Having extra jalapeño-infused tequila is never a bad thing. Make another batch of spicy jalapeño margaritas, or try the jazzed-up tequila in another tasty cocktail like a ranch water or palomas!

What can I use instead of triple sec for margaritas?

You can use any orange flavored liqueur: triple sec, grand marnier, or Patrón Citrónge. Depending on your personal preferences and the orange liqueur that you use, you may want to add or remove the simple syrup or agave. Some liqueurs, like Patrón Citrónge, are already slightly sweetened, so you can omit the simple syrup.