Jalapeño Margarita cocktail recipe

The Jalapeño Margarita is a deliciously spicy spin on the classic Margarita, which is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. Translated from Spanish as ‘daisy’, Margaritas may well be tequila-based daisies, which are a type of cocktail that was popular in the early 20th century. The daisy uses a spirit, citrus and a sweetener as its base elements.

Though there’s plenty of debate over where the Margarita was created, there’s no doubt this ever-popular drink has inspired countless variations over the past 100 years or so. You may have had a Frozen Watermelon Margarita, Spicy Pineapple Marg or even a Blood Orange version. Our favourite? We don’t like to pick them, but just quietly, it might just be this Jalapeño Margarita.

The aim of a Margarita is to strike the perfect balance between sour and sweet. With the Jalapeño Margarita, you add a spicy element to the mix, making a delicately balanced flavour triangle. The ideal Jalapeño Margarita should sting a little, bringing a nice kick to complement the sour citrus, salty rim and sweet triple sec.

Even if you’re not typically a fan of spice, it’s well worth giving the Jalapeño Margarita a red-hot go. The spice levels can be upped or diluted depending on your taste, so check out our tips below for how to get it right. 

Any form of Margarita is a certified party starter, but if you’re not drinking, it’s still possible to enjoy a Margarita with friends. Our Zero*% Margarita makes use of lime juice and lime cordial to recreate the experience, so don't hesitate to make up a batch of both. The spicy additions stay the same for the non-alc version.

On the topic of spice, it’s easy to make your Jalapeño Margarita more or less spicy, depending on your tastes. The more slices of jalapeño, the spicier it will be, so play around with quantities to discover the best spicy Margarita for you. And if you’re serving food? Always opt for Mexican – it’s an unbeatable combination.