“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])

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.

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.)

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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