Spicy Jalapeño Margaritas

Though classic margaritas are pretty perfect on their own, we think adding a little kick via fresh jalapeños makes them even better. Infusing alcohol is one of our favorite ways to get creative with cocktails, but it works especially well with jalapeños in this recipe. The addition of cucumber balances out the heat, making these margaritas the perfect summer drink to cool off with all summer long. 

The ingredients for a spicy margarita:
— The tequila. There’s no need to reach for top-shelf tequila for this recipe, as the flavors of jalapeño and cucumber take center stage. That said, if you like sipping tequila on the rocks, go for a brand you like to drink solo and try some on its own.
— The orange liqueur. For the orange liqueur, our preference is Cointreau for its balanced, not-too-sweet flavor. Some brands are considerably sweeter, so if you like your margs on the zestier side, start with ¾ ounce orange liqueur, taste, and add more if necessary.
— Jalapeños and cucumber. A long steep in tequila allows the fresh verdant flavor of the jalapeños to come through, along with that signature spice. To balance the heat, we recommend the addition of sliced cucumber to cool things down.

Storage and make ahead.
If you’re serving a party, this spicy margarita recipe will be your new best friend: this recipe yields enough infused tequila to make 8 margaritas, and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks so you can keep the good times goin’ with these margaritas, or by spicing up your other favorite tequila cocktails!  

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!