Margaritas are a classic, and these Jalapeño Margaritas are a deliciously spicy twist. Infused with the flavor of fresh jalapeños and lime juice, they’re the perfect drink for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, or anytime you’re craving a little something spicy!

Everyone loves a good margarita. It’s the go to drink for Mexican restaurants, happy hours, and taco nights… and there are so many delicious possibilities!

There are so many different flavors I enjoy, from Pineapple Margaritas to Cucumber Margaritas to delicious Frozen Mango Margaritas. And every now and then, I like to mix things up and add get a little spicy!

This Spicy Jalapeño Margarita is a fun, unique twist, and has the perfect balance of sweet and heat. I’ve tried countless versions… and this one is hands down my FAVORITE!

what you’ll need for this recipe

I used silver tequila in this recipe for its light, clean flavor and color. You can substitute any type you have on hand. For the jalapeños, be sure you use fresh (not jarred) jalapeños since the flavor between the two is completely different.

2 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce simple syrup
3-4 jalapeño slices
coarse salt (for the rim)

how to make a jalapeño margarita

Salt the rim. Rub the rim of your glass with a lime wedge, then dip in coarse salt to coat. Add ice to about 2/3 full.
Mix the drink. Add the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and sliced jalapeños to a cocktail shaker.
Shake and pour. Shake vigorously to infuse the drink with jalapeño flavor, then strain it into your glass.
Garnish – Garnish with fresh sliced jalapeños or a lime wedge.

Recipe variations

The thing I love about this recipe is that it has plenty of fresh jalapeño flavor without all the seeds. If you don’t mind seeds in your drink, fresh muddled jalapeños are a nice addition.

Also, if you’re missing the hint of orange flavor that you’ll find in traditional margaritas, here are some suggestions for adding that back in:

Add fresh sliced jalapeños to the bottom of the glass and muddle them to release extra flavor
Add a splash of Triple Sec or Cointreau
Add a splash of orange juice
Substitute Triple Sec for the simple syrup and add extra sliced jalapeños for flavor
Swap salt for sugar and make a sugared rim!

Making a pitcher

Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas are a fun drink to serve for Cinco de Mayo or any party. They’re also easy to mix by the pitcher! Simply combine the tequila and simple syrup in a large pitcher, then shake the fresh fresh lime juice and sliced jalapeños in a separate container with a lid. Strain the jalapeño-infused lime juice into the pitcher with the other ingredients. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for later. When you’re ready to serve, give them a quick stir, pour over ice, and let the party begin!

To make a pitcher:

4 cups silver tequila
2 cups fresh lime juice
1 1/2 cups simple syrup
1-2 sliced jalapeños

Complete the menu

No margarita is complete without some delicious food to go with it. These are some of our favorite Mexican recipes, and they’d all be amazing menu options!