This Cucumber JalapeƱo Margarita recipe is going to be your go-to in the warmer months. It's lower in calories and low in sugar, yet equally delicious and refreshing. Make this healthier margarita in 5 minutes flat.
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šWhy You'll Love this Recipe
- No cocktail shaker necessary. Although having a cocktail shaker is convenient, it isn't needed. Just like my Simple Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas and Spicy Watermelon Margaritas, you can make these skinny spicy margaritas in a tall jar fitted with a lid instead.
- Hydrating. Adding fresh cucumber slices makes a classic margarita even more hydrating and refreshing. Perfect margarita for sipping on hot summer nights.
- Perfect for holidays. Enjoy jalapeƱo cucumber margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, Labor day, bridal showers, and more. Nothing says celebration more than a shaken drink on the rocks. Serve alongside my Air Fryer Chicken Quesadillas for the perfect meal!
- Quick and simple. Skip the expensive bar cocktails and pre-made SkinnyGirl margarita mix and make your own tasty margaritas with simple ingredients in just a few minutes at home.
š„Ingredients and Substitutions
- JalapeƱo - Only use fresh jalapeƱos when making spicy margaritas. Jarred or pickled jalapeƱos contain high levels of sodium and are far too salty and savory.
- Cucumber - You can use either English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers. Avoid using slicing cucumbers or pickling cucumbers.
- Limes - It is imperative that you use fresh lime juice. Skinny spicy margaritas are made with little to no sugar which naturally makes the lime juice flavor in the mixed drink stronger. Bottled lime juice has a muted, watered-down flavor and will not make a high-quality cucumber jalapeƱo margarita.
- Triple Sec -Ā Also known as an orange liqueur, triple sec is an alcoholic sweetener with notes of citrus that's often used in mixed drinks, including spicy margaritas. Substitute this sweetener with orange juice and a small amount of agave, if needed for a lower-calorie "skinny syrup".
- Agave- this adds additional sweetness to the drink but is completely optional. Sometimes I find the triple sec provides enough sugar.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
šŖInstructions
- Salt the rim of your drinking glasses. It isn't a skinny margarita without a salted rim! First, rub a lime wedge over the rim of two drinking glasses. Then, turn the drinking glass upside down and dip the rim in a mixture of salt and cayenne pepper. You can use any short drinking glass or heavy-bottomed rocks glasses made for cocktails like an old fashioned.
- Muddle the cucumber, jalapeƱo and triple sec. Add the cucumber and jalapeƱo slices into a cocktail shaker and muddle with the triple sec until the juices and oils have been released from the cucumber and jalapeƱo. This spicy margarita mixture should be aromatic and the cucumber and jalapeƱo should be mashed.
- Add ice, tequila, lime juice and agave nectar, if using to the cocktail shaker.
- Shake the spicy cucumber margarita for just a few seconds. If you want an extra spicy margarita, shake it for a bit longer.
- Pour over the rocks. Fill both of your salt-rimmed glasses with ice, then strain your skinny margarita over the ice. Garnish with additional jalapeƱo and cucumber slices and serve immediately while chilled.
šRecipe FAQs
A skinny margarita is lighter in calories and lower in sugar compared to a classic margarita. To keep the calories and sugar as low as possible, use freshly squeezed orange juice instead of orange liqueur and skip the agave syrup. Skinny margaritas are stronger, more sour-tasting margaritas.
If you have jalapeƱo-infused tequila in your home bar, you can use it and omit the jalapeƱos.
Yes, you can use another type of pepper to make your margarita more or less spicy. Anaheim peppers are best if you want just a little bit of spice. Serano and habanero peppers are spicier than jalapeƱos and can be used but be sure to only use a tiny amount.
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of this drink by removing the tequila and triple sec. Add more lime juice and top off the drink with soda water. Muddle the cucumber and jalapeƱo with the lime juice or even add a splash of orange juice.
š¹Top Tips
- Handle the jalapeƱo with gloves. Although jalapeƱo is low on the Scoville scale, it still contains capsaicin and can cause a burning sensation on the skin. Use caution when handling peppers and avoid touching your face.
- Taste your jalapeƱos before muddling. JalapeƱos can range from mild to very hot. This spicy margarita recipe calls for 1 small jalapeƱo, however, if your jalapeƱo is extraordinarily spicy, use half a jalapeƱo or even just a few fresh jalapeƱo slices. You can always add more, but you can't subtract. Taste before muddling to prevent yourself from making your margarita too spicy.
- Use fresh ingredients. For a super fresh cocktail use only fresh cucumbers, jalapeƱos and lime juice.
- Choose a high-quality tequila. I recommend only ever using a 100% agave tequila. I prefer blanco tequila but use what you like best. Check out this guide on the best additive-free tequilas.
- Make a pitcher of margaritas. If you're having a party, you can easily triple or quadruple this recipe and serve it in a large pitcher. I recommend adding ice to each individual glass instead of to the pitcher to avoid watering down the drink.
- If you prefer a more sour cocktail, skip the agave and just use the triple sec.
š„Serving Ideas
Serve the margarita on the rocks garnished with a wedge of lime and cucumber and jalapeƱo slices.
If you're looking to enjoy a lighter snack alongside your skinny margarita, you may enjoy one of these favorite appetizers and finger foods.
- Garlic Butter Mussels in White Wine Sauce30 Minutes
- Air Fryer Pizza Bagels12 Minutes
- Air Fryer Steak Fries30 Minutes
- Dill Pickle Hummus10 Minutes
Or, make skinny margarita night into a full meal with one of my tried and true taco recipes. Or for a larger crowd, try my Healthy Ground Turkey Enchiladas served with Roasted Tomato and Habanero Salsa and tortilla chips as an appetizer.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-starĀ āļøāļøāļøāļøāļø rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
š³Recipe
Cucumber JalapeƱo Margarita
Equipment
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- Salt, cayenne pepper and lime wedge for rimming the glass
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 6-8 cucumber slices
- 2-4 small jalapeƱo, slices
- 4 ounces tequila
- 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon agave, optional
- ice
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge over the rim of two cocktail glasses.
- Pour some sea salt or kosher salt and cayenne pepper onto a small plate. Dip the cup upside down onto the plate of salt and press down, ensuring the entire rim is covered with salt.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the orange liqueur with 5-6 cucumber slices and 2-4 jalapeƱo slices.
- Add ice, tequila, juice from 2 limes and agave (if using) to the cocktail shaker. Shake for a few seconds until combined.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour margarita mixture over the rocks.
- Garnish with a slice of jalapeƱo and cucumber and enjoy!
Video
Notes
-
- Handle the jalapeƱo with gloves. Although jalapeƱo is low on the Scoville scale, it still contains capsaicin and can cause a burning sensation on the skin. Use caution when handling peppers and avoid touching your face.
-
- Taste your jalapeƱos before muddling. JalapeƱos can range from mild to very hot. This spicy margarita recipe calls for 1 small jalapeƱo, however, if your jalapeƱo is extraordinarily spicy, use half a jalapeƱo or even just a few fresh jalapeƱo slices. You can always add more, but you can't subtract. Taste before muddling to prevent yourself from making your margarita too spicy.
-
- Use fresh ingredients. For a super fresh cocktail use only fresh cucumbers, jalapeƱos and lime juice.
-
- Choose a high-quality tequila. I recommend only ever using a 100% agave tequila. I prefer blanco tequila but use what you like best. Check out this guide on the best additive-free tequilas.
-
- Make a pitcher of margaritas. If you're having a party, you can easily triple or quadruple this recipe and serve it in a large pitcher. I recommend adding ice to each individual glass instead of to the pitcher to avoid watering down the drink.
- If you prefer a more sour cocktail, skip the agave and just use the triple sec.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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