Learn how to make the perfect spicy margarita with sliced jalapenos, tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar, a Mexican classic cocktail. Make mine extra spicy!
Why You'll Love My Spicy Margarita - From the Master of Spice
Who’s in the mood for a spicy cocktail? We’re mixing up Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas, my friends - bold, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make.
You only need a few simple ingredients: good blanco tequila, orange liqueur, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, and crisp jalapeño slices. That’s it. No simple syrup, no fuss - just shake, pour, and enjoy.
As someone who lives and breathes bold flavor, I can tell you this is the margarita for spice lovers. The jalapeño heat balances perfectly with the bright citrus and smooth tequila, making every sip pure happiness.
It’s a go-to recipe in our house, whether we’re relaxing by the water or spicing up happy hour.
Key Ingredients
- Tequila. We love a good silver tequila, but you can use any tequila for this recipe. Use your favorite.
- Orange Liqueur. We prefer Cointreau, or use triple sec or Grand Marnier.
- Fresh Lime Juice. Be sure to use fresh lime juice! Not bottled.
- Agave Nectar. You can also use honey or make a simple syrup with water and sugar.
- Fresh Jalapeno Pepper. Use as much as you'd like.
How to Make a Spicy Margarita
- Muddle jalapeño slices in a shaker, then add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar.
- Fill with ice and shake for 30 seconds.
- Rim a glass with lime juice, dip in salt and Tajín, and fill with ice.
- Strain margarita into the glass and garnish with lime and jalapeño slices.
Boom! Done! Great for Cinco de Mayo! This jalapeño margarita recipe rocks!! Perfect spin on the classic margarita. Definitely one of my favorite cocktails. What do you think? Do you love it?
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Salt Rim. Rim your rocks glass with a lime to help the kosher salt and tajin mixture stick to the glass.
- More Citrus. Enjoy your spicy margarita with other citrus, like lemon juice, orange juice, pomelo and others, or a combination of citrus. Hard to go wrong!
- Skinny Margarita. For fewer calories, skip the agave and use less tequila.
- For an Extra Spicy Margarita, use spicy serrano peppers or hot habanero peppers for some real heat.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this my spicy jalapeno margarita recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Spicy Margarita Recipe (Jalapeno Margarita)
Ingredients
- 2 oz. tequila
- 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 small limes)
- .5 ounce orange liqueur
- .5 ounce Agave Nectar (or use honey or simple syrup)
- 3-4 jalapeno pepper slices (or more to taste - add sliced habanero for EXTRA spicy)
- FOR SERVING: Extra jalapeno slices, Lime wedges, Tajin seasoning + Salt and lime wedge to rim the glass
Instructions
- Add the jalapeno slices to a cocktail shaker. You can muddle the peppers a bit to release their spicy juices.
- Add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar. Fill with ice. Shake vigorously. Give it a good 30 seconds of shaking to really infused that tequila. NOTE: Shake longer if you'd like even more flavor. You can easily let the jalapeno peppers steep in the margarita mixture to allow more spice and flavor infusion.
- Fill the margarita glass with ice to chill it.
- Rub a lime wedge around the top of your margarita glass. Pour the salt and tajin seasoning onto a small plate, then dip the glass into it to coat the rim. The lime juice will help the salt-tajin mixture stick.
- Strain the liquid into the margarita glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and extra jalapeno slices, if desired. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition Information
Want More Cocktail Recipes?
- If you like this recipe, you might also like my Spicy Blackberry Habanero Margarita Recipe made with blackberry and habanero peppers, or this Mango Habanero Margarita.
- It's hard to beat the classics, like my Spicy Bloody Mary Recipe, my Mexican Micheladas Recipe, or my refreshing Paloma Cocktail Recipe.
- This Mangonada is a tasty slushy drink, as is its boozy version, the Mangonada Margarita.
- See all of our Spicy Cocktail Recipes
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 12/5/25 to include new photos, video, and information. It was originally published on 1/14/15.
Torri says
Yummy! We loved it!!
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent!! Margarita time! Thanks, Torri!
Tracie says
Awesome!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Tracie! I need one right now! Haha, I appreciate it!
Carole says
Amazing. And..tasted great with no alcohol Ritual Tequila. I also threw in some candied jalapenos.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Carole! Good to know for a non-alcoholic version!
Scott Jamieson says
Hey Brother - try with maple syrup instead of agave!
Mike Hultquist says
I like it!
Mary R says
Fabulous! We added the juice from the jalapeno jar along with some ginger beer. So good!
Mike H. says
Happy to hear it, Mary - enjoy!
Tracie says
Delicious!!
Mike Hultquist says
I agree! Thanks, Tracie!
Kristina says
I have a question , do you add it to a margarita mix to get the full pitcher ? I just wasn’t quite sure ?
Mike Hultquist says
Kristina, I'm not clear on your question. Are you looking to scale this to a full pitcher rcipe?
Jayna says
So delicious
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Jayna.
Rita Jorgensen says
This is a fantastic jalapeno margarita! One of the best I have ever made and so simple! Thank you!!!
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! Glad you love it, Rita! We love it, too! Off to make another! =)
Pam S says
Really Yummy! I 'smashed' the jalapenos after my first one 🙂 to get more heat, but other than that it was a solid recipe. I am keeping this on hand.
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Pam! We love it.
Caye Norwick says
Thank you for this recipe! I’ve been making my own version for a few years with good blanco tequila, lime juice and Cointreau. I then put it in a jar with a whole Serrano {sliced lengthwise} and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before pouring over ice in a Tajin and salt rimmed glass. I’m excited to try this version!
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome, I love it! Enjoy, Caye!
Frank Rozzelle says
We drink these frequently and offer these suggestions:
We grow and use serrano peppers instead of jalapeños. Not for everyone but we like them.
To rim the glass, we use agave syrup instead of lime juice. We also use the Trader Joe’s chili lime seasoning which already has salt on my wife’s rim while I prefer Tajin alone. .
We sometimes drink a grapefruit variation with tequila, fresh pink grapefruit juice, and fresh lime juice in 2:2:1 ratio with no triple sec. Agave syrup and muddled serranos to taste.
Really enjoy your newsletters.
Mike Hultquist says
Sounds great! So many ways to make a great margarita. Cheers, Frank!
Ramya says
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use soda instead to make this to mocktail as i dont drink alcohol at home i never had citrus jalapeno margarita before perfect for hot days in Singapore love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Mike Hultquist says
Enjoy, Ramya.