Spicy Margarita Recipe

This post is going to show you how to construct one of the most popular cocktails in the entire world! We are going to be making the CLASSIC Margarita….but making it SPICY!

The most wonderful thing about a Margarita is that it is probably the most versatile cocktail. The variations you can make are truly endless. There is a Margarita out there for everyone!

Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Triple Sec, and Agave will never go out of style and in this version we are adding some delicious Roasted Jalapeños. Thats right spicy lovers this is for you! Let’s get right to it!

This is the :

“Spicy Margarita” 

What You Will Need

Alcohol:

You wouldn’t have a Margarita without tequila! For this Spicy Margarita I have chosen to use Don Sergio Blanco Tequila. I love the flavors of citrus, floral, herbs, and agave that smoothly run over my palate with this brand! I got my bottle at Total Wine and More. Like I have previously stated, the fun thing about a Margarita is that you can really personalize it! Play with your own preference on tequila, try out a Reposado, or an Añejo. Some days when I’m in a particularly spicy mood I will use Ghost’s Ghost Pepper Tequila or Tanteo’s Habanero Tequila. Experiment with what you like!

Secondly you will be needing a Triple Sec. I will be using Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao. This triple sec is a perfect balance of bitter and sweet with notes of candied orange, almonds, and hazelnut. It leaves a lovely sweet citrus note on the end of your palate. I highly recommend this brand ! You can pick it up at any Total Wine and More or Bevmo!

Citrus and Fresh Ingredients:

For this Spicy Margarita we will be using Fresh Lime Juice. Fresh juices are the ultimate way to take your cocktail to the next level! Once you start implementing them into your drinks you will never turn back! Don’t worry, we have all had to use whatever we have had at home from time to time but TRUST me on this one, fresh juice is a GAME CHANGER. The tool I am using above is my hand-pressed stainless steel citrus juicer. It is one of my favorite items in my home bar! You can fit  multiple pieces of fruit in it, there’s a pour spout to avoid mess, and you get the exact amount of juice you want every time! It really is just the best tool in the world! If you want one just like mine you can check it out on Amazon RIGHT HERE!

Next up we will be using some 100% Blue Agave. This Nectar comes from the Agave Plant and is very sweet! It pairs magnificently with tequila because they come from the same source! I got my bottle at Whole Foods, but I know that Trader Joe’s has some very affordable Agave as well! If you want to order some off of amazon you can get two bottles at once. I’ll leave a link for you RIGHT HERE.

Since we are making a Spicy Margarita you will need a Jalapeño. First thing you will want to do is blister your Jalapeño.I did this on an indoor grill but you can also do this on your stove top or even in the oven! Slowly rotate your pepper on high heat until it is blistered on every side like above! I love the smell of peppers roasting so this is one of my favorite parts of the process!

When your Jalapeño is nice and blistered on every side pull it off of the heat.

Optional: To loosen the skin even more you can place the pepper in a glass bowl and cover it with Saran Wrap for about 10 Minutes! After those 10 minutes pull out your pepper and start scraping off the blistered skin!

Above I am scraping off the skin with the blade of a knife. Make sure to be gentle when removing the skin! We only want the outmost layer gone.

Once the skin is gone you are left with a perfectly roasted pepper! These are going to add so much flavor and spice to our Spicy Margarita. Slice your jalapeño down its side like pictured above and you are left with perfect little jalapeño bites. Put them to the side because they will be used for muddling and garnish!

Bar Supplies:

First item you will want to have at the ready is a Boston Shaker. I find using the Boston Shaker gives you the best range of motion for dilution and a good shake! It is what I have used working at bars and is definitely my go too! A lot of you may have a Cobbler Shaker on hand so please use whatever you have readily available! If you would like a Boston Shaker like mine pictured above check out this link on Amazon RIGHT HERE!

When you are using a Boston Shaker you will want to have a Hawthorne Strainer on hand! This is the tool you use after you are done shaking your cocktail. You crack the seal on your tins and strain the contents through your Hawthorne Strainer into your glassware that will be holding fresh ice! If you want a handy Hawthorne Strainer just like mine pictured above, check it out on this Amazon link RIGHT HERE! They are a necessity for your home bar.

When you are measuring out your juices and your alcohol you will need a Bar Jigger. I can’t stress enough how important getting your measurements correct are when it comes to creating a perfectly balanced cocktail! From the way cocktail will fill the glass to the way it is properly meant to taste, all depends on getting the recipe correct. The bar jigger is a definite necessity.  Luckily they have them on Amazon for affordable prices right HERE!

When I first started bartending I used a simpler version that helps you get the hang of pouring and also helps you to see your measurements more clearly. I will link that same exact jigger is used in my early days  right HERE.

We will be muddling for this spicy margarita recipe so of course……we will need a Muddler! Muddlers come in all different shapes, forms and sizes! Some are wooden, some are larger than others, some have ridged bottoms, while others are smooth. To muddle means to press down on an ingredient in your tin and slight turn with pressure. You are releasing juice, flavor, and really letting whatever ingredient it is break down before you shake it in your tins. In this recipe we will be muddling our jalapeño pieces! You can pick up a Muddler at Total Wine and More, Bevmo, a local Bartending Shop, or check them out on Amazon! I have a link to the exact Muddler I used in bars for you all right HERE!

I also must mention that you will need ICE. Lots of people have fridges with an ice dispenser which is perfect for you to use. Alas, if you do not have accessible fridge Ice, AKA ME, you will have to freeze your own! As you see above I use a silicone perfect ice cube tray. I will link an identical one that comes with a LID right HERE! I am lucky enough to have a cocktail store near me as well that  carries perfect ice in every size but that is not always the most affordable option. I would still recommend you check if any such stores exist near your location! Although a little more pricey, definitely worth it in quality!!!

Lastly, I do recommend that if you are starting to create multiple cocktails at home, you should invest in your own personal little Bartending Kit. Most come with everything you will need as a beginner while others provide several items for more complex creations. I will put links to both a beginners set, and a more advanced set on Amazon below!

Beginner Kit: HERE

Advanced Kit: HERE

Garnish:

To garnish this cocktail we will be rimming the glassware with Tajin and Salt! Tajin is a condiment made of primarily dried chile peppers, lime, and salt. It has a little bit of an extra kick that goes well with our Spicy Margarita! The salt I use for margaritas is Coarse Kosher Salt. You can get these items at most of your local grocery stores or at a store like Total Wine and More or Bevmo. If you would like to purchase Tajin off of Amazon you can do so RIGHT HERE. They also have a nice box of Coarse Kosher Salt RIGHT HERE.

To help your Tajin and Salt stick to your glassware you will be taking a lime wedge or slice like I have pictured above and rubbing it on the area of your glassware where you would like it to stick. For my personal cocktail I am going to have the salt and tajin running down the side of my drink and that is why I am rubbing the side of the glass. To get the CLASSIC look of rimming you will run your lime wedge along the brim of your glassware where your lips will be touching.

You will want to set up a “dipping station” for yourself like I have pictured above. Get a small dish that is flat and has enough room so that you can press your glassware down on it. Once the area on your glassware is covered with lime juice, press it onto the salt or tajin with pressure in order for it to stick!

If I was to be rimming the top of my glassware I would have separate plates for both my salt and tajin. Get creative with this process! As you can see in my final product I let the salt and tajin on my cocktail run down the entire side of my glassware! You can make shapes, or you could alternate the rim with salt and tajin as much as you would like. You can even combine the salt and tajin before you rim the glassware for a fun combination! Do what YOU like!

On the top of my spicy Margarita I also like to throw in a THIN lime wheel and the extra little pieces of the roasted jalapeño that we cut earlier. It adds for a beautiful presentation!

Let’s Build!