Spicy Jalapeño Citrus Margarita
A vibrant and fiery holiday cocktail made with silver tequila, fresh lime and orange juice, and homemade jalapeño simple syrup, finished with a smoky chili-lime salt rim for the perfect festive Cinco de Mayo sip.
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- margarita glass
- Small saucepan for syrup
- Fine Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 oz silver tequila (100% agave)
- 2 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz fresh orange juice
- 1/2 oz jalapeño simple syrup
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2-3 slices fresh jalapeño for garnish
- 1/4 cup sea salt
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp lime zest
Instructions
- Boil the water and sugar until fully dissolved. Add the halved jalapeño and simmer for 10 minutes. Let steep 10–30 minutes, then strain and chill.
- Mix the sea salt, chili powder, and lime zest on a small plate.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass and dip it into the chili salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine tequila, fresh lime juice, orange juice, and jalapeño syrup. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with fresh jalapeño slices and serve immediately.
Notes
For a mild heat, steep the jalapeño in the syrup for 10 minutes. For a stronger spicy kick, steep up to 30 minutes. Blanco tequila gives the cleanest flavor, and the syrup can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 4 weeks.