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Home » Recipes » Margaritas

Spicy Margarita

By Laura Fuentes Updated Jun 6, 2025

5 from 4 votes

Cocktail

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Tart, refreshing, with a touch of heat! This spicy Margarita is here to put a kick in your happy hour festivities.

When classic cocktails aren't doing it for you, try this bold and flavorful spicy Margarita recipe!

spicy margarita with jalapenos, lime wedges, and a tajin-coated rim

What is the Difference Between a Spicy Margarita & a Regular Margarita?

The main difference between a Classic Margarita Recipe and this spicy Margarita recipe is in the heat! Both recipes use the same key ingredients: tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and Cointreau. This recipe ups the spice levels by adding in jalapeño rounds for that delicious kick of heat you won't be able to get enough of!

Ingredients

Everything you need to shake up this spicy Margarita will be listed in the recipe card below, but before you make any swaps, read why each ingredient is needed:

  • Jalapeño rounds: when muddled, these will add heat to this cocktail.
  • Lime juice: freshly squeezed is the best.
  • Simple syrup: for an added touch of sweetness.
  • Tequila: use your favorite brand of Blanco or Silver.
  • Cointreau: or triple sec, an orange liqueur, used to balance the drink's flavors.
  • Garnishes: salt or Tajín (optional) for rimming, jalapeño rounds, and lime wedges.

What Tequila is Best for Spicy Margaritas

I recommend using Silver or Blanco tequila for this spicy Margarita recipe! I find that this brand of tequila not only mixes well with this drink's bold flavors but with many other Margarita recipes! Plus, it's both affordable and accessible in most stores near you for easy mixing!

How to Make a Spicy Margarita

Grab your shaker, and let's get shakin'! Here is how to make the best spicy Margarita with a few additional tips to ensure the perfect sipping experience:

  1. Prep the glass
    If salted or Tajín-coated rims are your happy hour jam, you'll want to start by prepping your glass first so you can enjoy your drink right after making it.
  2. Release the spicy
    In a cocktail shaker, muddle the jalapeño rounds to release their spice. You'll know they are muddled enough when you start to smell the spice.
  3. Shake it up
    In a cocktail shaker with jalapeños, add in the required ingredients. Give everything a good shake until the sides of the glass are fully frosted.
  4. Serve & Garnish
    Pour the shaken mixture into the prepared glass and top with additional jalapeño rounds and a lime wedge. Enjoy!
spicy margarita with jalapenos, lime wedges, and a tajin-coated rim

A Spicy Garnish

I love adding additional jalapeño rounds on top of this cocktail for added heat and a pop of color! Some other spicy garnish ideas include a dash of chili flakes, red chilies, and even spicy stuffed olives skewered on a cocktail pick for a delicious snack to enjoy while sipping on this drink!

More Cocktails with a Spicy Kick

If you're a fan of spicy cocktail recipes, you'll love a spicy cucumber margarita, this spicy watermelon margarita, a trendy spicy pickle margarita, and for a lower calorie twist, a skinny spicy margarita! If you're feeling warm, try making it a spicy frozen margarita! Serve them up with my Sweet & Spicy Chicken Tacos to round out your meal.

Spicy Margarita

spicy margarita with jalapenos, lime wedges, and a tajin-coated rim
Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
Tart, refreshing, with a touch of heat! This spicy Margarita is here to put a kick in your happy hour festivities.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 2 jalapeño rounds, more for garnish
  • 1 ¼ ounces lime juice
  • ½ ounce Simple syrup
  • 1 ½ ounces tequila
  • 1 ½ ounces Cointreau or triple sec*
  • Salt for the rim, optional
  • Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions

Prep:

  • If you enjoy a salted glass, prep the rim of your glass by rubbing a lime wedge along the rim. Dip in tequila salt, and set aside.

Make the marg:

  • Add the jalapeño rounds (slices) with or without the seeds (the seeds add heat) inside a cocktail shaker. Add the lime juice and simple syrup, and using a muddler, press down to release the jalapeño juices.
  • Add the tequila and a handful of ice cubes. Shake well until the sides are fully frosted.

Serve:

  • Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice. Strain the spicy margarita through the strainer and pour it into the prepared glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime and additional jalapeño slices.

Notes

Make it a pitcher (serves 8) by adding ½ to 1 sliced jalapeño to the bottom of a pitcher. Measure and pour 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 ½ cups Cointreau or triple sec, 1 ¼ cups lime juice, and ¾ cup of simple syrup into the pitcher. Use a wooden spoon to stir and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Prepare the glasses, add ice, and serve.

Equipment

Tajín Seasoning
Tajín Rimmer
Cocktail Shaker Set
Muddler for Cocktails
metal jigger
Jigger
stainless cocktail picks
Cocktail Picks

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Prickly Pear Margarita

Comments

    5 from 4 votes

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    Drink Rating




  1. Vilma says

    June 12, 2025 at 6:04 am

    5 stars
    I love spicy drinks and this spicy margarita is soooooo good. 10/10 recipe

    Reply
  2. Riley says

    May 31, 2025 at 8:57 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing weekend drink!!

    Reply
  3. Dani says

    April 28, 2025 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    YUM!! The perfect addition of spice to my margarita!

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    April 02, 2025 at 11:52 am

    5 stars
    This spicy margarita is quickly gonna become my go-to. It was just that good!!!

    Reply

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