Spicy Margarita

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This easy spicy margarita recipe combines blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, jalapeños, and agave for the perfect homemade cocktail.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Beverages

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex

Servings: cocktail

Author: Jamie Sherman

Add 2 to 3 jalapeño slices to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release their flavor.
2-3 jalapeño slices
Fill the shaker with ice. Add the blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar.
Ice, 2 ounces blanco tequila, 1 ounce triple sec, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, ½ ounce agave nectar
Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
Rub one lime wedge around half of the rim of a rocks glass. Dip the rim into Tajín, a spicy salt blend, or coarse kosher salt.
lime wedge, Tajín
Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice.
Ice
Strain the margarita into the glass.
Garnish with the remaining jalapeño slices and the second lime wedge. Serve immediately.
Additional jalapeño slices and lime wedge

🥡 Storage

This spicy margarita is best enjoyed immediately after shaking.
If you'd like to prep ahead, combine the blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Muddle the jalapeños and shake with ice just before serving for the freshest flavor.

Freezing the prepared cocktail is not recommended.
For a frozen spicy margarita, blend all of the ingredients with about 1½ cups of ice until smooth and slushy.

Start with 2 to 3 jalapeño slices if you're unsure about the spice level.
Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder cocktail.
Muddle gently for subtle heat or more firmly for a spicier drink.
Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the brightest flavor.
Chill your serving glass before preparing the cocktail.
Shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker becomes frosty.
Taste before serving and adjust the sweetness with additional agave nectar if needed.
Use large ice cubes to keep the drink colder longer without watering it down.

Frozen Spicy Margarita: Blend all of the ingredients with about 1½ cups of ice until smooth.
Pitcher Spicy Margaritas: Multiply the ingredients by the desired number of servings and mix the blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar in a pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Muddle fresh jalapeños and shake individual servings with ice before pouring into prepared glasses.

If you have leftover margarita base, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Shake well with fresh ice before serving. For the freshest flavor, muddle fresh jalapeños each time you make a cocktail.

Blanco tequila is recommended for the cleanest, freshest flavor.
Tajín creates a flavorful chile-lime rim, but coarse kosher salt or a spicy seasoning blend also work well.
Fresh lime juice is strongly recommended over bottled juice.
The amount of jalapeño you muddle determines the heat level, making this recipe easy to customize.
Nutrition information is an estimate and does not include the optional salted rim or garnishes.