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If you can handle a bit of heat then this Spicy Jalapeño Margarita Recipe is the drink for you! Striking the perfect balance between spicy, tart and sweet this is the ultimate happy hour cocktail. Finished off with a salted rim, this drink is really difficult to top. We give the classic Margarita a delicious spicy spin by infusing Tequila with fresh jalapeño. Infusing your own Tequila is so easy to do and boy are the results amazing! To keep things local, we use Tequila from the awesome Miami based company Blue Nectar Tequila or the Tampa based company 813 Tequila. We also use a local alternative to triple sec called Tippler’s. We even use local salt from Florida Pure for the rim. Help support local and enjoy this easy to make Spicy Jalapeño Margarita recipe.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make A Spicy Jalapeño Margarita
The Alcohol
The Tequila: Tequila can only be legally produced in five Mexican states and 99% of all Tequila is made in just one of these states, Jalisco. This obviously means that we will never have a Tequila distilled in Florida. But there are some awesome Florida based companies that create and import some delicious Tequila.
One of our favorites is Blue Nectar Tequila. This Miami based company creates authentic Tequilas using 100% blue agave, and they are seriously delicious. Their range includes a silver and two different kinds of reposado all of which go great in a Margarita. If you like Tequila on the rocks then you need to try their añejo – it’s perfection. Find a store that sells Blue Nectar near you, or buy online with Cask Cartel.
Another great option is the Tampa based, 813 Tequila. 813 Tequila uses 100% Blue Agave that is grown, harvested and distilled in Mexico. They have two types of silver and a reposado that go great in a Margarita. They also have a Anejo if you are more partial to drink your Tequila neat. If you are in the Tampa Bay area then find a store that stocks 813 Tequila near you.
Recommended Florida Tequila:
The Orange Liqueur: Any orange liqueur like Triple Sec or Cointreau will work for your Margaritas, but Florida has their own local version! In all our Margarita recipes we use this delicious local Florida orange liqueur from St. Petersburg distillery called Tippler’s. If you want to support local, then this is a great addition to your bar cart. FYI it also goes great in our Florida Orange Cosmopolitan and our Grapefruit Martini.
Recommended Florida Orange Liqueur: Tippler’s- St. Petersburg Distillery
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The Mixers
The Spice: We use a super simple trick to make our Margaritas spicy. We infuse the Tequila! This is easy to do and takes minimal preparation. To make jalapeño infused Tequila all you need to do is chop up a jalapeño and let it sit in the Tequila before you make up your cocktails. We use one jalapeño for 4 drinks (8 oz Tequila) and we let it sit in the Tequila for 45-60 mins. Depending on how spicy you like your drinks, you can experiment with how long you let the Tequila infuse. Be careful though- beyond an hour and it really starts getting a kick!
The Citrus: Fresh key limes can be difficult to find but keep an eye out because depending on your location you might be able to pick them up in your local store. If not then use the more common Persian lime. You will just loose a touch of tartness and the more floral character you get from key limes. If you use a lot of citrus juice in your cooking and cocktails, then buy a citrus press- it’s a game-changer. You get a lot more juice out of your lemons and limes, you don’t have to worry about seeds, and you cut down on mess. We use a Zulay citrus press which handles both lemons and limes with equally perfect results.
Recommended Juicer: Zulay Premium Citrus Press
The Sweetener: Some people like their Margaritas super tart, so if you are one of these people, then you can skip the agave nectar or simple syrup. We think a splash balances out the tartness and makes a more well-rounded drink. You can always try it without and then add a splash afterwards to suit your taste.
Recommended Agave Nectar: Agave Organic Nectar Syrup Natural Sweetener
What Equipment Should I Use To Make A Spicy Jalapeño Margarita
The Glass: If you are a Margarita fan, then you might want to invest in Margarita glasses. This style of glass is like a wider topped coupe glass. Personally, we try to stick to glassware that is multi-purpose, so we serve our Margaritas in a double old fashioned glass or rocks glass.
Recommended Glass: MARQUIS By Waterford Double Old Fashioned Glasses, Set of 4
The Shaker: If you like to make cocktails at home then buy yourself a good quality cocktail shaker that stands out on your bar cart. Our favorite shaker is the beautifully designed patterned brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.
Recommended cocktail shaker: ABSOLUT ELYX BOUTIQUE Brass Patterned Cocktail Shaker. (Use this link to get $15 off your first order)
How Should A Spicy Jalapeño Margarita Recipe Be Served?
Shaken or Stirred: Always shake your Margaritas. You want to give it a vigorous shake with plenty of ice to make sure it is well mixed, ice cold, and has that signature chilled cloudy appearance. We highly recommend the beautifully designed shakers from Absolut Elyx Boutique. The patterned brass designs are stunning. Even better, you can get $15 off your first order by using this link.
Recommended cocktail shaker: ABSOLUT ELYX BOUTIQUE Brass Cocktail Shaker- Patterned (Use this link to get $15 off your first order)
Straight up or on the rocks: A Margarita should always be served on the rocks. You want it to stay chilled while you enjoy them during happy hour. Avoid crushed or shaved ice, solid ice cubes are the way to go.
The Garnish: Half of the fun of a Margarita is the salted rim. The Salt gives the drink that moreish wow factor that will keep you mixing up more. If you’re looking for a local Florida salt producer then Florida Pure is the answer. This 100% natural hand-harvested sea salt comes in some awesome flavors such as Lime and Chipotle that go great with your Margaritas. For this recipe we use their Black Pepper or Chipotle salt as they complement the savory Jalapeño flavor perfectly. (Top tip: If you are looking for something for the rim of your Bloody Mary then look no further than their delicious Maple Bacon Infused Salt.)
Recommended Salt: Black Pepper Infused Salt- Florida Pure
Slide a whole Jalapeño down the slide of the glass for decoration and you are good to go!
We hope you enjoy this easy to make Spicy Jalapeño Margarita, and as always drink local and drink responsibly. Cheers!
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when purchases of recommended products are made. This is at no additional cost to you, and every penny goes back into buying and trying more tasty Floridian tipples.
Spicy Jalapeño Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oz Tequila
- 1.5 oz Orange Liqueur
- 1.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Agave Syrup (Optional)
- 1/2 Fresh Jalapeño (4 more for garnish)
- Salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Pour the Tequila into a mason jar and add 1/2 a chopped Jalapeño. Let it infuse for 45 - 60 mins.
- Step 2: Prepare some glasses by salting the rim and filling with ice.
- Step 3: Add the infused Tequila, Orange Liqueur, Lime Juice and Agave Syrup (If using) to a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Pour into glasses and enjoy.
Other Florida Cocktail Recipes To Try:
Old Fashioned Floridian (Orange Old Fashioned)
4 Florida Fall Apple Cider Cocktails
4 Florida Fall Pumpkin Spice Cocktails
Tampa Bay Breeze (Tampa Bay Rays game day cocktail)
Tom(ahawk) Collins (FSU game day cocktail)
The Gator (UF game day cocktail)
Knightro (UCF game day cocktail)
