Jalapeño Margarita (with Video Tutorial)
It’s happy hour over here and this cocktail is just the thing to take the edge off of a long week! Jalapeño Margaritas are so easy to make. With only three main ingredients, this cocktail is super budget friendly and packs a BIG flavor punch.
Only three ingredients, you say? Yes! Tequila, limes, and Jalapeño simple syrup. I usually have these ingredients in my fridge or pantry because they are useful. If I can buy an ingredient at the grocery store and use it five different ways during the week, that is the stuff of magic. I have a very tiny kitchen, so less ingredients are always better in my book (or cupboard). Plus, if I’m ever in a pinch I know I can whip up a margarita!
Jalapeños are medium hot peppers that originated from Mexico. They taste similar to a green bell pepper except that they pack a spicy punch. The savory pepper flavor pairs nicely with the tart lime juice in this cocktail, making it a bright and refreshing experience.
Recipe Ingredients
Jalapeño Simple Syrup - It’s so easy to make! All you need is Jalapeños, sugar, water, a saucepan, and a mesh strainer. It stores well for up to a week in the fridge. You can add as few or as many jalapeños as you want to adjust for your personal level of heat tolerance. I personally like it hot!
Fresh Lime Juice - I judge a good margarita on whether or not the lime juice is fresh. Fresh lime juice packs a stronger flavor punch than store bought lime juice. If you like your margaritas a little tart like I do, using freshly squeezed juice instead of store bought is definitely the way to go.
Tequila - Pick your favorite tequila blanco and go with it! I used Tesoro #5 Blanco which is 100% agave, affordable and has a great flavor.
Salt - To garnish the rim of the glass.
Recipe Tips
Adjust as You Go - As with any recipe, I recommend tasting along the way and adjust the amount of any of the ingredients to suit your taste.
Variations
Try it with Mezcal - If you want to turn up the heat on this cocktail, try it with mezcal instead of tequila. When paired with jalapeños, the combination will give you a smokey flavor that pairs nicely with any smoked dish!
Make it a Mocktail - Just ditch the tequila and add a little extra lime juice!
More Cocktail Recipes
Ingredients
4 oz fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
2 oz Jalapeno simple syrup
2 oz Tequila Blanco of choice(or mezcal)
Ice to taste
Extra lime and salt to rim the glass
How to make a Jalapeño Margarita
Make the jalapeño simple syrup. Start by chopping two jalapeños (you can add more or less to taste). Next, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a pot and bring to a boil on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat down to low and simmer until sugar dissolves. Add the chopped jalapeños and simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool, about 30 minutes. Strain out the jalapeños using a mesh strainer. Your Jalapeño simple syrup is ready to use!
Garnish your glass. Take a slice of lime and squeeze it around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim of your glass into salt until sufficiently coated. Fill the glass with ice and add a slice of lime to the rim.
Tip: if you want the option of taking a sip with salt or without, you can garnish only half the glass - just squeeze the lime onto one side and dip that side in salt.
Shake your ingredients together in a tumbler. Next, halve and squeeze four limes into a tumbler. Add 2 ounces of jalapeño simple syrup, 2 ounces of Tequila blanco of choice, and add ice. Secure the lid onto the tumbler and shake well, about fifteen to thirty seconds. Pour over ice into your garnished glass.
Time to enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this cocktail as much as I do!
Cheers!
-Jessie
