Spicy Margarita – A Stunning Mess

This spicy margarita recipe has a subtle heat from serrano pepper and a rim of Tajin seasoning. This twist on the Classic Margarita is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Make a big batch for your next gathering. Spicy margaritas are the ultimate cocktail for an al fresco dinner.

Related: Peach Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise, Mexican Candy Shot

Ingredients in a Spicy Margarita

• Serrano pepper – sliced. We use these peppers to shake with the margarita as well as a few to garnish the finished cocktail. You can also use jalapeno slices if you prefer.
• Tequila Blanco – We like to use silver tequila for this recipe, but you can also use Reposado Tequila (aged).
• Orange Liqueur – Such as Cointreau or Triple Sec.
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice is key.
• Agave Nectar – For sweetness and balance. You can also use simple syrup.
• Tajin – For rim.

The best glassware to serve a spicy margarita in is a double old fashioned glass (or any short glass). The long necked margarita glasses are best for frozen margaritas and for on the rocks margaritas I love to use short glasses.

How to Make a Spicy Margarita

Begin by prepping the rim of your cocktail glasses with Tajin (optional).

In a cocktail shaker, muddle together your serrano pepper with fresh lime juice. Use a wood muddler to gently crush the peppers into the lime juice. Next, add tequila, orange liqueur and agave nectar. Then add ice.

Shake for 10-15 seconds until icy cold.

Strain and pour into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime slice and several serrano pepper slices.

Tajin Rim

To prepare a Tajin rim you first need to pour a couple tablespoons of Tajin onto a small plate. Coat the outer edge of your glass rim with something like water or honey. I like to use honey because it really stays, but water creates a softer, more subtle rim effect. Twist the glass into the Tajin, coating it evenly. Once you are done, be sure there is no Tajin on the inside of the glass, as the rim should only be on the outside of the glass.

Tips for Making

• More Spice – For a higher spice factor, add more seranno peppers to muddle in the cocktail shaker. 
• Less Spice – For less spice, remove the seeds from the peppers before using.
• Tool Substitutions – If you don’t have a wood muddler, you can use the back of a wooden spoon or any wooden utensil.
• Rim Idea – If you don’t have Tajin for your rim, try a spicy salt rim. Combine coarse salt with a little chili pepper and use that for your rim. 
• Secret Ingredient – It is well known (so not so “secret” I guess?) that the magic ingredient that makes a homemade margarita come alive is fresh lime juice. The other magic ingredient is adding a splash of orange juice. You can add that to this recipe it you want to amplify the flavor a little more. 
• Juicer – I rarely pull out my juicer at home, a hand juicer is all you need for this recipe (and all cocktail recipes that involve citrus juice).  

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