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Looking to spice up your happy hour with a delicious and refreshing cocktail? The Spicy Tajín® Margarita will do the trick! This unique twist on the classic margarita combines the zesty flavors of lime, the heat of jalapeños, and the tangy kick of Tajín® seasoning. Whether you’re a fan of spicy drinks or simply want to try something different, this cocktail is sure to become your new favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Cocktail
The flavor!
This spicy cocktail strikes a perfect balance between sweet, sour and bitter — with a touch of smokiness.
So quick & easy to put together!
Only five ingredients, all of which I always keep on hand.
Always a hit at a party!
Or by the pool. Or grilling out with friends. Need I say more?
So customizable!
Easily swap out tequila for mezcal. Or add a different fruity flavor each time you make it.
What Is a Spicy Tajín® Margarita?
This Spicy Jalapeno Margarita recipe combines a unique blend of flavors, combining the spicy jalapeños, zesty lime, and tangy Tajín® seasoning to create a delicious and refreshing cocktail experience. The heat level can be adjusted to suit your preferences, making it perfect for those who enjoy a little kick in their drinks. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or simply unwinding after a long day, this cocktail is the perfect drink.
Notes On Ingredients & Substitutions
Please check out the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and specific measurements.
Mezcal
Del Maguey Vida Clasico Mezcal brings a serious smokiness to this drink and the flavor stands up well to the lime juice. Tequila will work in this drink as well.
Cointreau
An orange liqueur that will add just the right amount of sweetness. Grand Marnier or Triple Sec will work here as well. Or, simply substitute fresh orange juice instead.
Fresh Lime Juice
As always, fresh is best! And an absolute must for this drink. Always choose a plump, juicy lime to get the best juice. Persian limes are my go-to for any recipe.
Jalapeño Peppers
The jalapenos bring a spicy kick, complementing the fresh lime juice well. If you like a spicy drink, include the seeds and veins of the pepper when chopping. Want less heat? Remove the seeds and veins before chopping. Serranos will work well here too — a smaller, but slightly hotter pepper than the jalapeno.
Simple syrup or agave syrup (optional)
Want a sweet margarita? Add agave syrup or simple syrup. The Cointreau is enough for me. But sweeten to your liking.
Tajín® Seasoning
For rimming the glass. Tajín® seasoning is a zesty blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt, adding a tangy and spicy kick to the drink.
Lime wedge and jalapeño slices
Fresh lime wedge and jalapeño slices are perfect for a garnish.
Ice Cubes
I am an ice addict and have all of the sizes in the freezer. I love a larger cube for this drink so that it melts more slowly and doesn’t water down this delicious drink.
How to Make This Delicious Drink
Step 1 — Add Tajín® seasoning to the glass rim
Line the rim of the glass with Tajín seasoning. To do this, cut a lime wedge and run it along the rim. Then dip the rim into a plate filled with Tajín seasoning to coat it evenly. Set the glass with the Tajín rim aside.
Step 2 — Muddle the Jalapeños
In a cocktail shaker, add a few slices of fresh jalapeño. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently crush the jalapeños, releasing their spicy flavors.
Step 3 — mix the ingredients
Fill the shaker with ice cubes. Add the mezcal, cointreau, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) to the cocktail shaker.
Step 4 — Shake It Up
Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, mixing all the ingredients and chilling the cocktail.
Step 5 — Strain and Serve
Place a few ice cubes in the Tajín-rimmed margarita glass and strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and a slice of jalapeño. Sit back and enjoy!
Top Tips
Adjust the heat level
If you prefer a little extra kick in your margarita, leave the seeds in the jalapeños or add an extra slice. For a milder version, remove the seeds and veins from the jalapeños before muddling.
Add more mezcal
I like to add 1-½ ounces to each drink. But adjust to your liking! For friends who love the flavor of mezcal and like a really strong drink — you know who you are — I will mix one part mezcal to one part lime juice.
Use good ingredients
For the best results, use fresh lime juice, and quality mezcal. My favorite mezcal these days is Del Maguey Vida. And its easy to find too! Fresh flavors make all the difference in a good margarita.
Variations
Try a Different Fruit
I’ve tested out lots of flavors for this margarita. Add any fresh fruit and muddle it with the jalapeno, such as — fresh mangoes, watermelon, pineapple, strawberry, or passion fruit. Yum.
Make It Frozen
Make a large batch, adding ice or frozen fruit to the blender. Keep the frozen batch in the refrigerator to keep it longer.
Make It Skinny
This recipe is pretty much skinny to begin with. Omit adding simple sugar or agave sweetener. And go light on the Cointreau or orange liqueur.
Add a punch of flavor
Add chamoy to the tajin to step up the heat and add a touch of sweetness to the rim. Or make it a spicy balsamic margarita by adding a dash of balsamic vinegar to the mix for a bit of extra zing.
Serve With Tequila
Replace the mezcal with a silver tequila, reposado or anejo .
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Pin ItWhat is Mezcal?
Mezcal is a distilled spirit that originates from Mexico. It is made from the agave plant, specifically the agave species known as Agave espadín. Mezcal is often referred to as a cousin of tequila, but it has a distinct flavor profile and production process. Unlike tequila, which is primarily made from blue agave, mezcal can be produced using various types of agave plants, resulting in a wide range of flavors. The agave hearts, also known as piñas, are roasted in underground pits, giving mezcal its signature smoky and earthy characteristics. Mezcal can be enjoyed neat, in cocktails, or as a part of traditional Mexican celebrations and rituals. Its complex flavors and rich cultural history make mezcal a fascinating spirit to include in their bar.
What is Tajín®?
Tajín® adds an explosive burst of tangy and spicy flavor to your margarita. Its unique blend of chili powder, dehydrated lime juice, and salt creates a delicious taste that perfectly complements the zesty lime and tequila.
How To Store
As this cocktail is best enjoyed fresh, it’s not recommended to store it for an extended period. However, you can store any leftover margarita in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a good shake before serving to recombine the flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Simply omit the tequila and triple sec, and replace them with equal parts fresh orange juice and mango nectar for a delicious mocktail.
While it’s best to serve the Spicy Tajín® Margarita immediately after making it, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and mix the cocktail when you’re ready to serve. This ensures the flavors remain fresh and vibrant.
Cointreau adds a little bit of an orange flavor and sweetness to the spicy margarita. You can replace it with other orange liqueurs, such as Grand Marnier® or Triple Sec. Or, skip the orange liqueur altogether and simply add a splash of fresh orange juice.
Spicy Margarita with a Smoky Tajín® Rim
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker to mix and chill the ingredients effectively
- Strainer to remove any unwanted particles for a smooth drink
- Muddler or Spoon for muddling the jalapeños
- Margarita Glass to serve the cocktail in style
- Small Plate to rim the glass with Tajín seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 oz Mezcal
- 1 ½ oz Cointreau
- 1 ¼ cup Fresh Lime Juice — or 12 limes
- 1 Jalapeño Peppers — chopped and muddled
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup or Agave Syrup
- 2 tbsp Tajín® Seasoning
- Lime Wedge and Jalapeño Slices — for garnish
- Ice Cubes — large
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Instructions
Add Tajín Seasoning To The Glass Rim
- Begin by lining the rim of the glass with Tajín seasoning. To do this, cut a lime wedge and run it along the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into a plate filled with Tajín seasoning to coat it evenly. Set the glass with the Tajín rim aside.
Muddle The Jalapeños
- In a cocktail shaker, add a few slices of fresh jalapeño. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently crush the jalapeños, releasing their spicy flavors.
Add The Ingredients
- Add the mezcal, cointreau, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) to the cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
Shake It Up
- Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, mixing all the ingredients together and chilling the cocktail.
Strain And Serve
- Place a few ice cubes in the tajin rimmed margarita glass and strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and a slice of jalapeño. Sit back and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
