Spicy Jalapeño & Watermelon Margarita

in Beverages, Citrus, Lime, Margaritas, Watermelon

Spicy Jalapeño and Watermelon Margarita Recipe

“All good drinks burn on their way down, right?” –Me. Between coughs and gasps for air.

I still remember the very first time I made a spicy margarita. I dropped some sliced, fresh jalapeños in tequila. And then I walked away. For like a week.

The peppers were insanely spicy. The tequila was… What’s a good word for “insanely &^%$#@! hot?” That.

But you only make an undrinkable margarita once. (Twice, if you count my failed Hatch Chile Margarita experiment.) ([shudder]) ([gag])

Spicy Jalapeño and Watermelon Margarita Recipe

For these spicy watermelon margaritas, ice cold watermelon cubes are blended and strained for the juice, mixed with homemade margarita mix, spiked with some homemade jalapeño tequila, and served over crushed ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Because everyone knows that salt and watermelon go together like… chocolate and peanut butter. Rachel and Ross. Peyton and Omaha.

Tequila and lime.

Spicy Jalapeño and Watermelon Margarita Recipe

It’s hot, cold, refreshing, and spicy. But don’t forget. When it comes to making Jalapeño Tequila, less is more. (Less soaking time, that is. More tequila is always better. And the answer to most of life’s problems.)

Jalapeño and Watermelon Margaritas

Fresh watermelon is blended with a homemade jalapeño tequila for a spicy and refreshing margarita.

Ingredients

  • For the jalapeño tequila:
  • 6 oz silver tequila
  • 1 fresh jalapeño, sliced
  • For the margarita:
  • 1 cup homemade margarita mix
  • 2 generous cups chilled watermelon cubes (seeds removed if not seedless)
  • 4 oz orange liqueur (or orange juice)
  • 6 oz jalapeño tequila
  • Salt, for rimming

Instructions

  1. Place the tequila and jalapeño slices in a jar and let sit in the fridge for at least one hour but no longer than overnight (you have been warned!)
  2. Place the watermelon cubes in a blender and process for ~1 minute until smooth.
  3. Pour through a strainer and discard the solids - you should have 1 cup of juice.
  4. In a small pitcher, mix the watermelon juice with the homemade margarita mix and orange liqueur.
  5. Add the tequila and reserve the jalapeño slices, stirring to mix well.
  6. Fill salt-rimmed glasses with ice and serve, garnishing each margarita with a tequila-soaked slice of jalapeño.

Notes

Yields: 4 servings

Adapted from Tide & Thyme

Estimated time: 1 hour 15 minutes

8 comments… add one
  • These sound yummy! I don’t usually like “heat” in my adult beverages but this sounds like a delicious pairing! Pinned!

  • Omg, I did the same thing you did, except with habaneros…and we soaked them for a MONTH. The resulting tequila was 100% undrinkable and is (for some reason) still in the back of my fridge…ugh.

    • Stephanie Hendrickson

      Just dilute it with regular tequila. Or add a drop of it to things.

  • This is an absolutely perfect margarita, love this so much!

  • First of all, this margarita looks AH-MAZING! Secondly, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspirational Blogger Award! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog and think you totally deserve it! If you’re interested in participating, just visit my post and read the rules, I look forward to reading your post!! 🙂 http://asunshinyday.com/inspiring-blogger-award/

  • I had a crazy spicy margarita just this past week and totally thought of you! You could see the red pepper scattered throughout. It was awesome. Probably not as awesome as this will be. Perfect mix of sweet, refreshing and spicy!

  • April

    Totally making these tomorrow night for a bbq birthday party! Thanks so much.

  • I made a batch of these last week, and I probably let my jalapenos steep for a bit too long because they were HOT! But they were still so, so good! I think jalapeno tequila will be my new go-to for margaritas! YUM!

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