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This jalapeño Spicy Margarita Recipe is for when you’re feeling a little feisty. Made with tequila, fresh lime juice, orange juice, and a sassy slice of jalapeño, this kicked-up version of a classic marg will transport you to a sunny, beachy place.

Spicy Margarita with fresh lime and jalapeno

Why You’ll Love This Skinny Spicy Margarita Recipe

  • A Tried-and-True Fave. Margaritas taste of fun times, warm sunshine, and no worries. This easy spicy margarita is based on my master Skinny Margarita recipe. It has become a signature drink for many of you and led to an array of thirst-quenching spinoffs, from Peach Margaritas, to Blackberry Margaritas, to Grapefruit Margaritas.
  • Easy to Make. Spicing up a margarita is as simple as adding 1 to 2 thin slices of jalapeño to the shaker with the other ingredients. (While you can make a spicy marg by infusing tequila with jalapeño slices, this process takes time and planning, neither of which I usually have when a margarita craving strikes.)
  • Absolutely Delicious. This jalapeño margarita recipe has brightness and bite, a refreshing hit of citrus, subtle smoothness of spirits, all with a slight kiss of fire. Once you start sipping, it’s hard to stop!
A drink in a glass with jalapenos and lime

5 Star Review

“Literally the BEST, freshest margarita! I adore this recipe–it’s my summertime go-to. If you like margaritas, this one is a MUST!”

— Lauren —

How to Make a Spicy Margarita

The Ingredients

  • Tequila. Country songs have been written about it for a reason. Tequila helps the margarita taste refreshing and crisp. Use blanco (silver) tequila for a mild flavor, reposada (rested) for a stronger flavor, and anjeo (aged) for the strongest flavor.
  • Lime Juice. USE FRESH! Bottled lime juice will give you a stale-tasting marg.
  • Orange Juice. A special addition to this skinny spicy margarita recipe that adds bright, citrusy flavor.
  • Agave. A touch of sweetness to balance the spicy and smooth out the tequila. I prefer my margaritas on the tart/less sweet side, so if you like your sweeter, feel free to add a little more.
  • Jalapeño. The secret to this margarita’s signature spice. It gives the drink the kick it needs without requiring you to call the fire department after every sip.
  • Salt + Lime Wedge. Salting the rims creates a beautiful (and tasty!) presentation. If you’d like to serve your margaritas with salted rims, make sure to use kosher salt, sea salt, or margarita salt. Do NOT use table salt, as it will taste too salty and slightly metallic.

The Directions

  1. Rim It. Rim the glass and fill it with ice (you also can serve your margarita up. Warning: it will be STRONG).
  2. Shake It. Add the spicy margarita recipe ingredients and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds, then strain into the glass. ENJOY!
cocktail glass with a spicy jalapeno margarita

Recipe Variations

  • Spicy Margarita Without Alcohol. While the alcohol is a major component of the margarita, you could try swapping the tequila for unflavored sparkling water or soda.
  • Frozen Spicy Margarita. Craving a frozen jalapeño margarita instead? Instead of shaking the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, combine the mixture into a blender with a handful of ice. Blend until you reach your desired consistency. Enjoy!
  • Jalapeño Margarita With Vodka. Not a fan of tequila? Try this spicy margarita recipe with vodka instead.

Storage Tips

  • To Store. This spicy margarita recipe is best enjoyed right after it is made, but you can refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 day. 

Leftover Ideas

If you end up with more spicy margarita than you can drink, pour the leftovers into popsicle molds and freeze. Future you will thank you for the spicy, boozy treat on a hot day to come!

What to Serve with Spicy Margaritas

  • Cocktail Shaker. This elegant stainless steel cocktail shaker is worthy of a spot on your bar.
  • Jigger. For perfect margarita measurements.
  • Pitcher. Ideal for serving multiple spicy margaritas.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • Rim with Tajin. For a gourmet twist right out of Mexico, serve your spicy margarita recipe with Tajin rim. Tajin is a popular Mexican seasoning blend made with dried chilis, salt, and lime zest. It’s not too spicy and tastes fantastic. You can find it in more and more grocery stores or online. Of course, a classic salted rim is classic for a reason. You can’t go wrong.
  • Scale Up as Needed. Below, you’ll find spicy margaritas for one, two, or a spicy margarita pitcher for a crowd. I like making a pitcher for parties so I don’t have to spend all night playing bartender!
  • Use a Citrus Juicer. If you want to be extra speedy or are making this spicy margarita recipe for a crowd, a citrus juicer is super helpful. With enough motivation, however, you can skip the juicer and squeeze the limes the old-fashioned way.

Spicy Margarita Recipe

4.78 from 68 votes
The BEST spicy margarita recipe. Skinny version made with fresh lime juice, jalapeno, and agave. Easy and ultra refreshing with a kick!

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 drink (multiply as needed)

Ingredients
  

  • Kosher salt and a lime wedge to rim the glass
  • Ice
  • 2 ounces silver tequila about 3 tablespoons
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 large or 1 1/2 small limes; do not use bottled lime juice, as it will have a very off flavor
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice about 1/2 small/medium orange
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons light agave nectar add 2 if you prefer a sweeter margarita
  • 1/4 to 1/2 jalapeño pepper cut into thin, round slices (use more for more spice)
  • Lime wedges additional jalapeño slices for serving

Instructions
 

  • Rim the glass: Pour a thin layer of salt onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the top edge of your glass to moisten it, then dip the glass into the salt so that it sticks, tapping all the way around. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
  • Fill a small cocktail shaker with additional ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, agave, and jalapeño slices. Tightly close and shake vigorously for 30 seconds (it's longer than you think). Strain into the rimmed glass. Enjoy immediately, garnished with lime wedges and additional jalapeño slices.

Notes

  • TO STORE: This drink is best enjoyed right after it is made, but you can refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 day. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1drinkCalories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 97mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 94IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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42 Comments

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  1. Love this spicy skinny version – it looks so refreshing!  Happy Cinco de Mayo.

  2. This is my new favorite drink! So simple and so delish. Gave me a chance to use jalapeno from my garden.5 stars

  3. This was amazing! I’ve moved from Texas to NC and I’ve seriously been having withdrawals from some good margaritas. This was is incredible.5 stars

    1. Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Jamie! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!

      1. Hi Will! I haven’t tried this swap myself, but I think it would work fine. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

    1. Hi Jess! This recipe makes one drink, so you could multiply it by however many people you’re hoping to serve (as long as it all fits in your pitcher). I hope this helps!

  4. This is HANDS DOWN the best, freshest, no-hang-over margarita out in the universe. With or without the jalapeño. Well done!5 stars

  5. This is hands down the best margarita I have ever tasted! Thank you so much Erin for this amazing recipe!5 stars

  6. Literally the BEST, freshest margarita! I adore this recipe–it’s my summertime go-to. If you like margaritas, this one is a MUST!5 stars

  7. Hi Erin,
    I just made a little sampler for myself before a big weekend at the lake for a friend’s birthday, it was great!
    However, I’m going to be making this at industrial scale. So I made a little potential cheat using a homebrew jalapeno tincture using about 20 jalapenos and 1 cup of tequila and it seems to work pretty well if looking to make 100+ of these. Stuck them in the vitamix for 6 mins with sugar, tequila, jalapenos and a splash of water and stuck them in pickle jars and into the fridge. Then its ready mix marg w/o tequila, tequila, and 1/4tbsp of the tincture per serving finished with a quick squeeze of lime and salt rim garnished with lime and a slice of jalapenos. please forgive some of the sacrilegious substitutes. Your Great ratios inspired!5 stars

  8. Excellent and I am picky about margaritas. I think the Rick Bayless recipe is the best, but it is very labor-intensive. This is a great alternative. I used half a jalapeño from my garden that was quite spicy and they were delicious.

    I did not have agave, so I made a simple syrup and added a bit of Cointreau to sweeten it up. Thank you!5 stars

  9. Amazing! Good way to use up all those jalapeños in my garden. I added some fresh cilantro and cucumber to it and it turned out incredible. This is my new favorite cocktail recipe:)5 stars

  10. I had one of these for the first time while on vacation with my husband and we both loved it! Came straight to the internet and found this recipe! Definitely a staple now. Thank you!5 stars

  11. I have made many margaritas in the past, and this is my favorite way to make a jalapeno margarita. Super easy recipe and very refreshing. I would soak the jalapenos in the tequila way longer – I add at least one whole jalapeno, if not 2. We like our margarita spicy!5 stars