This Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita recipe is going to be your go-to in the warmer months. It's refreshing with a spicy kick, is perfect for parties and can be made in just 5 minutes.
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Enjoy jalapeño 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!
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Why You'll Love this Cocktail
- 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 refreshing 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. It's the perfect drink for hot summer days and nights.
- Quick and simple. Skip the expensive bar cocktails and pre-made margarita mixes and make your tasty margaritas with simple ingredients in just a few minutes at home. Try my Tequila Sour next for another simple drink!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Jalapeño. Only use fresh jalapeños when making spicy margaritas. Jarred or pickled jalapeños 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. Fresh lime juice only, please! Bottled lime juice has a muted, watered-down flavor and will not make a high-quality cocktail.
- Triple Sec. Also known as an orange liqueur, Triple Sec is an alcoholic sweetener with notes of citrus that's used in many mixed drinks. Substitute this sweetener with orange juice and a small amount of agave.
- 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.
How to Make Cucumber Jalapeño Margaritas
- Salt the rim of your drinking glasses. Rub a lime wedge over the rim of two drinking glasses, turn the glass upside down and dip the rim in a mixture of salt and cayenne pepper.
- Muddle the cucumber, jalapeño and triple sec until the juices and oils have been released from the cucumber and jalapeño.
- Add ice, tequila, lime juice and agave nectar to the shaker.
- Shake the margarita for just a few seconds. If you want an extra spicy margarita, shake it for a bit longer.
- Fill your salt-rimmed glasses with ice, then strain the margarita mix over the ice. Garnish with additional jalapeño and cucumber slices and serve immediately while chilled.
💭Recipe FAQs
If you have jalapeño-infused tequila in your home bar, you can use it and omit the jalapeños.
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 jalapeños 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 jalapeño with the lime juice or even add a splash of orange juice.
Sarah's Top Tips
- Handle the jalapeño with gloves and avoid touching your face.
- Taste your jalapeños before muddling. Jalapeños can range from mild to very hot. 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, jalapeños 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 glass instead of to the pitcher to avoid watering down the drink.
Serving Ideas
Serve the margarita on the rocks garnished with a wedge of lime and cucumber and jalapeño slices. You can use any short drinking glass or heavy-bottomed rocks glasses made for cocktails like an old fashioned.
Make cucumber margarita night into a full meal with one of my tried and true taco recipes. Or for a larger crowd, try my Ground Turkey Enchiladas served with Roasted Tomato Salsa and tortilla chips as an appetizer.
- Ground Chicken Tacos25 Minutes
- Cod Fish Tacos23 Minutes
- Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Chicken)30 Minutes
- Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa30 Minutes
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below—I’d love to hear how it turned out! THANK YOU!
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Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita
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Ingredients
- Salt, cayenne pepper and lime wedge for rimming the glass
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 6-8 cucumber slices
- 2-4 small jalapeño, 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 jalapeño 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 jalapeño and cucumber and enjoy!
Sarah's Tips
- Handle the jalapeño with gloves and avoid touching your face.
- Taste your jalapeños before muddling. Jalapeños can range from mild to very hot. 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, jalapeños 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 glass instead of to the pitcher to avoid watering down the drink.
KITCHEN TOOLS NEEDED
- Cutting board
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