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Liven up your happy hour with this refreshing spicy cucumber margarita!

Let this refreshing cocktail take you to an oceanside spa in Mexico. One sip of this spicy cucumber margarita and you're practically there.

Spicy Summer Margarita with Cucumber

On a recent trip to Mexico, I had one of these spicy cucumber margaritas sitting on the beach. And while I did not make an appointment to the spa, the salty summer breeze and the lack of responsibilities transported me there.

Now, this spicy cocktail is one I enjoy back home, especially in the summer when the weather calls for a light yet refreshing way to end the day. Other refreshing favorites include the Tequila Mojito, my Pickle Margarita, and Tequila Sangria.

Ingredients

The measurements for this Spicy Cucumber Margarita recipe will be in the recipe card below; but before you make substitutions, here is why each ingredient is used:

Tequila: use your favorite brand of blanco or silver.
Cointreau or Triple sec: adds the citrus liquor element to this margarita. Learn more about the differences between cointreau and triple sec here.
Lime juice: freshly squeezed is always the best.
Cucumber slices: they add flavor and the base of this recipe.
Jalapeño: adds the spice and garnish.
Tajín or salt: for rimming the glass, optional.

How to Make a Spicy Cucumber Margarita

The detailed steps for making this cocktail are written in detail in the recipe card; here are some additional tips in each to ensure the best drink:

Release the spice
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño and the cucumber slices to release their spice and juices. You know they are muddled enough when you can smell the spice.
Shake it up
To the muddled mixture, you'll add the rest of the cocktail ingredients and shake well to combine.
Prep the glasses
Using Tajín or salt, rim the edge of the glass with a lime wedge, and add a handful of ice to the glass.
Serve & Garnish
You'll want to strain the mixture when you pour it over ice to keep the cucumber and jalapeño in the shaker.

Make a Pitcher

When entertaining guests, I like to make a pitcher of this spicy cucumber margarita so I can make 6 to 8 servings at once! First, muddle 1 to 1 ½ jalapeños and half of a medium cucumber in slices with a little lime juice to help release the juices. Shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker. Strain the mixture into a pitcher and add 3 ½ cups silver or Blanco tequila, 1 ½ cups Cointreau or triple sec, ¾ cup lime juice (about 6 limes). Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve over ice.

How to Rim the Glass

To get that perfect coating on a glass's rim, take a lime wedge and rub it along the edges. Once the rim is wet and coated with the lime juice, you dip it into margarita salt or tajín, which is a spicy and salty mixture that pairs great with this cocktail.

What to Serve with Spicy Cucumber Margarita

To cool down the spice from this cocktail, I like to pair this drink with my Fresh Pineapple Salsa for an epic refreshing appetizer, and for a meal my Taco Lettuce Wraps combined with this cocktail make for an epic flavorful fiesta!

Other Spicy Margaritas

Looking for more spicy margaritas? I've got you covered! For something a little lighter, try my Skinny Spicy Margarita, and don't forget this Spicy Watermelon Margarita for a refreshing summertime sip or my Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita, where zesty meets sweet to add a little spice to your next happy hour festivity!

Spicy Cucumber Margarita

Servings: 1

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Liven up your happy hour with this refreshing spicy cucumber margarita!

5 from 6 votes

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Ingredients

1-2 jalapeño rounds, more for garnish
4 cucumber slices, more for garnish
1 ounce lime juice, about 1 lime
1 ½ ounces tequila, blanco
1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
½ ounce simple syrup
Salt or Tajin

Instructions

Make the cocktail:

Add the jalapeño rounds, cucumber slices, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker and muddle gently to release the juices. Squash them together, until the cucumber is mostly broken down.
Add the tequila, Cointreau or triple sec, and simple syrup, in the cocktail shaker. Seal and shake vigorously.

Serve:

For salted rims, prep by rubbing a lime wedge along the rims. Dip in tequila salt or tajín for extra spice. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
Strain the cocktail into the prepared glasses and garnish with additional jalapeño rounds and a cucumber slice.

Notes

Make a pitcher by muddling 1 to 1 ½ jalapeños and half of a medium cucumber in slices with a little lime juice to help release the juices. Shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker. Strain the mixture into a pitcher and add 3 ½ cups silver or Blanco tequila, 1 ½ cups Cointreau or triple sec, ¾ cup lime juice (about 6 limes). Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve over ice.