Jalapeño Margarita Recipe: How to Make a Spicy Margarita

A Jalapeño Margarita is a spicy variation of a classic Margarita made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and jalapeños. To make a Jalapeño Margarita, steep the jalapeño peppers in the tequila. Popular garnishes for a Jalapeño Margarita include jalapeño slices and lime wedges.

When making a Jalapeño Margarita, consider the following ingredients and variations:

1. 1. Use reposado tequila. Reposado tequila is a great choice for a Jalapeño Margarita. A blanco tequila (aka silver tequila), tequila anejo, and even a smoky mezcal will also pair well with spicy jalapeños.
2. 2. Kick up the heat. Depending on how spicy you want your cocktail, adjust the number of jalapeño slices you steep in the tequila. You can use spicier peppers, such as serrano peppers or habanero peppers, for even more heat. Steep the peppers in the tequila for at least fifteen minutes—the longer the peppers steep, the spicier the cocktail.
3. 3. Add some sugar. Add simple syrup, an even mixture of sugar and water, to your Jalapeño Margarita for sweetness. Alternatively, you can add agave nectar. This nectar has a fairly neutral flavor that pairs well with tequila-based cocktails.
4. 4. Make a spicy salt rim. Coat the rim of the glass in Tajín chili salt for a spicier salt rim that pairs well with the spicy margarita.