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.
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A tried-and-true fave, with a kick!
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!
- We keep it simple by 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.)
- 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!
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 —
My Tips and Tricks for a Perfect Spicy Marg
- Know Your 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.
- Rim with Tajin. For a gourmet twist, serve your spicy margarita with a 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. Of course, a classic salted rim is classic for a reason. You can’t go wrong.
- Make Sure the Juice Is FRESH. Bottled lime juice will give you a stale-tasting marg.
- 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.
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 making this spicy margarita recipe with vodka instead.
Spicy Margarita Recipe
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink (multiply as needed)
This spicy margarita recipe is for when you’re feeling a little feisty! Made with tequila, lime and orange juice, and sassy jalapeño.
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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 ½ teaspoons light agave nectar add 2 if you prefer a sweeter margarita
- ¼ to ½ 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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What to Serve with Spicy Margaritas
- Tacos. Obviously the best possible pairing with this spicy margarita recipe! Choose from Tempeh Tacos, Salmon Tacos, Steak Tacos, or your favorite version.
- Enchiladas. Another excellent choice! My Vegetarian Enchiladas, Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, and Butternut Squash Spinach Enchiladas would all be fabulous with a jalapeño margarita.
- Appetizers. If your making margs for a party, serve them with Guacamole (or Shrimp Guacamole Bites!) or 7 Layer Taco Dip.
- More Tex-Mex Faves. You can’t go wrong with Chicken Quesadillas, a Burrito Bowl, or Crockpot Mexican Casserole either.
Love this spicy skinny version – it looks so refreshing! Happy Cinco de Mayo.
Thank you, Tricia!
Love the addition of the jalapenos!
Me too! Thanks so much!
This is my new favorite drink! So simple and so delish. Gave me a chance to use jalapeno from my garden.
YAY Jenn, I’m so happy to hear this was a winner for you! Thanks so much for reporting back!
I just made this and it’s fabulous!! I’m sure this will be a staple this summer!
Hooray! I’m glad it’s a winner, Pauline!
I have difficulty finding restaurants who make a good one.. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave this review, Lewis!
This is absolutely delicious!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Darlene! Thanks for taking the time to share this review!
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.
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Jamie! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe!
Going to try this tonight, sounds great.
Is it okay to sub honey for the agave?
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!
How much do you use of each to make a pitcher?
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!
This is HANDS DOWN the best, freshest, no-hang-over margarita out in the universe. With or without the jalapeño. Well done!
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed it, Lisa! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Love love love it ..
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Stephanie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is hands down the best margarita I have ever tasted! Thank you so much Erin for this amazing recipe!
You are so welcomed! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for your kind review Ryan!
Literally the BEST, freshest margarita! I adore this recipe–it’s my summertime go-to. If you like margaritas, this one is a MUST!
So glad you enjoyed it, Lauren! Thank you for this kind review!
This is a favorite in our house!! :)
Happy Cinco de Mayo ~ Cheers!!!🍹
Hi Sue! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
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!
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Steve! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
De-lish!
Hi Jamie! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review!
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!
Hi Kelly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
These are delicious! Light and refreshing!
So glad you enjoyed them Elissa!
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:)
Glad you enjoyed it, Amy!
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!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you Corinne!
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!
Great to hear, thank you Amber!
I would make this recipe again
Not enough flavor, mostly tequila
I’m sorry to hear this wasn’t to your taste, Jamie. What kind of tequila did you use? Depending on the kind will determine how strong the flavor is. Blanco (silver) tequila for a mild flavor, reposada (rested) for a stronger flavor, and anjeo (aged) for the strongest flavor.