Name: Spicy Margarita Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces tequila; 3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed (1.5 ounces)); 1 tablespoon orange juice (freshly squeezed (.5 ounces)); 2 teaspoons agave nectar; ¼ jalapeno pepper (fresh, sliced); crushed ice

This is the ultimate spicy margarita recipe that is the perfect sidekick to so many of your favorite taco dinners! This jalapeño margarita recipe has the perfect amount of spicy pepper flavor – just enough kick, but not too much!

This recipe is made with agave nectar and touches of fruit juice. It comes in at under 150 calories a glass! It’s a spicy variation of my ever popular skinny margarita (with over 155,000 satisfied “customers”).

This was so simple to make, such a vibrant margarita. I loved the kick of spicy and then the sweetness. This was awesome, thank you.
– LIly –

Two glasses of a spicy margarita recipe with salt rims, garnished with lime slices and jalapeño, on a white background.

If you like all things sweet and spicy, hold on to your horses and get ready to pour the tequila – this one’s for you!

You know my never-ending love for homemade margaritas! When I was working on this spicy margarita recipe, I knew I needed to find the best balance. I wanted a little fire, but not so much that it makes you sweat.

I’m happy to say that I nailed it, and I think you’re going to love it! It’s a perfect combination of bright, vibrant citrus flavor and the spicy and bold heat of jalapeños.

If you love margaritas, you’ve got to try one. It might just be your new favorite!

A bottle of Camarena tequila, an orange, two limes, a jar of light agave nectar, and a jalapeño pepper on a marble surface for a spicy margarita

Ingredients and Substitutions

Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice – I have a juicer attachment for my mixer that makes fresh lime juice a breeze, but I often use bottled lime juice, too, depending on what we have on hnad.
Orange Juice – It doesn’t take much! Freshly squeezed juice is always best but you’re welcome to use whatever you have.
Agave Nectar – This is the light and sweet way to get all the flavor you crave in your margarita, without all the calories of simple syrup or sweet and sour mixes! You can substitute with simple syrup or an ounce of honey.
Good Quality Tequila – A margarita is not necessarily the place to use a high end tequila bottle. Blanco or silver tequila is a great choice here, and we tend to like 100% agave tequila.
Jalapeño – Learn how to slice a jalapeño here.
Ice – This is my secret weapon in our ongoing quest for perfect margaritas. It’s the simplest thing that makes all the difference in the world!

Three Jalapeño Margaritas with jalapeño slices and lime garnishes on a marble surface, with a whole jalapeño pepper beside them.

Nugget Ice

If you want the ultimate crushed ice for your margaritas (or any drink!) check out our counter top ice maker. It’s the perfect soft ice for cocktails!

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Three glasses of Jalapeño Margaritas with ice, garnished with lime slices and jalapeño rings, on a white surface.

Variations

Simple syrup – Add flavored syrup, like mango, watermelon or pineapple simple syrup.
Cilantro – Add 3 sprigs of cilantro for a refreshing flavor mix.
Use Tajin Seasoning to Rim – Instead of salt!
Orange Liqueur – Give it an extra kick by replacing the orange juice with an ounce of orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier for a spicy Cadillac margarita.

Learn More About Tequila

Drinks

Best Tequila for Margaritas

Tequila has come a long way, hasn’t it? Discover the keys to choosing the BEST tequila for margaritas, along with the simple distinction between añejo, reposado, gold and silver tequilas. Expensive tequila isn’t necessarily best for margaritas- learn why! Read More

Three glasses of Jalapeño Margaritas with lime slices and ice, garnished with salt rims and jalapeño slices on a white surface.

Test Kitchen Tips

Make it Less Spicy – Remove the membranes and seeds of the jalapeños to make it a bit less spicy. The membrane is the hottest part of the pepper. To remove it, cut the top off of the jalapeño, slice it in half longways and cut or scoop it out.
Get the Most Juice – To get the most juice out of your limes and oranges, roll them around on a counter with the palm of your hand before slicing in half to squeeze. After squeezing three times, press the back of a spoon to release the remaining juice.

Two glasses of spicy margarita with jalapeño slices and lime garnish on a white surface, with extra jalapeño and scattered salt nearby.

Two spicy margarita cocktails garnished with lime slices and jalapeño slices on a white surface.

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Spicy Margarita Recipe

By Julie Blanner

This is the ultimate spicy margarita recipe that is the perfect sidekick to so many of your favorite Mexican-inspired dinners! This jalapeño margarita recipe has the perfect amount of spicy pepper flavor – just enough kick, but not too much.

Prep: 5

Cook: 0

Total: 5

Servings: person

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Ingredients

▢ 2 ounces tequila
▢ 3 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed (1.5 ounces)
▢ 1 tablespoon orange juice freshly squeezed (.5 ounces)
▢ 2 teaspoons agave nectar
▢ ¼ jalapeno pepper fresh, sliced
▢ crushed ice

Instructions

Rim a glass with lime juice or simple syrup and salt.
Fill glasses with ice and slice or dice your jalapeños.
In a cocktail shaker (or pitcher) filled with ice, combine tequila, lime juice, orange juice and agave nectar along with sliced jalapeño. Give it a vigorous shake to really get that jalapeno flavor throughout!
2 ounces tequila, 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 2 teaspoons agave nectar, crushed ice, ¼ jalapeno pepper
Strain into margarita glasses.
Garnish with a lime wedge, or if you’re really brave, extra jalapeño slices!

Julie’s Tips

Make it Less Spicy – Remove the membranes and seeds of the jalapeños to make it a bit less spicy. The membrane is the hottest part of the pepper. To remove it, cut the top off of the jalapeño, slice it in half longways and cut or scoop it out.
Get the Most Juice – To get the most juice out of your limes and oranges, roll them around on a counter with the palm of your hand before slicing in half to squeeze. After squeezing three times, press the back of a spoon to release the remaining juice.

Make a Pitcher

Add the following ingredients to a pitcher and stir vigorously (serves 8):

2 cups tequila
1½ cups fresh lime juice
¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
⅓ cup agave
2 jalapeños, sliced (average size is approximately 1 ounce per pepper)