This spicy watermelon margarita recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and spice. With fresh watermelon juice, muddled jalapeños, and smooth tequila, this recipe is perfect for the summer but tastes delicious year round.
Recipe Inspiration
I've been making watermelon juice every week this summer and it's been such a refreshing treat. And did I mention how EASY it is?! Seriously, it's so easy.
I love it so much that I wrote a whole blog post about it here. It'll tell you all about how to make your own fresh watermelon juice right at home.
Since I loved the juice so much, I knew I needed to create a delicious cocktail to highlight it. And right when I was thinking about this, the jalapeños in my garden started to grow like crazy. It was perfect timing - watermelon and jalapeños are married together in a delicious spicy watermelon margarita that you'll want to drink on a hot day all summer long.
I love garnishing this drink with jalapeño slices, watermelon cubes, a lime wedge, or a chili powder or coarse salt rim! If you love a classic margarita, you'll love this recipe! This is one of my favorite cocktails, and it's going to be yours too!
If you're looking for other delicious cocktails, check out our Creme de Violette cocktail, Blood Orange Gin Gimlet, and Bourbon and Thyme Peach Smash cocktail recipes!
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
Delicious - This fun cocktail recipe is so delicious. The spicy jalapeños, refreshing watermelon, and tequila are a great combo for hot summer days.
Approachable - This easy cocktail recipe is approachable and is so easy to make!
Great for Entertaining - This margarita recipe is so great for entertaining! Your guests will love this twist on the classic cocktail.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients for this watermelon jalapeño margarita recipe:
- Tequila - I used blanco tequila, but you can use any type of tequila that you enjoy. Reposado tequila, Añejo Tequila, or aged tequila are all delicious in this summertime cocktail.
- Orange Simple Syrup - You can buy orange simple syrup or make your own! You can also kick it up a notch with orange liqueur, or use agave syrup as a sweetener in this cocktail.
- Lime Juice - Use fresh lime juice if you can!
- Watermelon Juice - My favorite part of the recipe! Check out my post on how to make your own watermelon juice here.
- Jalapeño Pepper - You will need a full jalapeño, including seeds. This is going to be spicy! Make sure you save a few jalapeño slices for a garnish, if you wish. You can also use Serrano pepper, spicy simple syrup, or jalapeño spicy tequila for the spice in this recipe.
- Garnish - You can garnish this drink with additional jalapeños, watermelon slices, or fresh herbs, such as mint.
Directions
Here's how you make this perfect summer cocktail.
Step 1
Combine jalapeño slices, tequila, simple syrup, sime juice, and watermelon in a shaker filled with ice cubes.
Step 2
Muddle until jalapeño starts to break down. Add ice to shaker and shake well.
Step 3
Strain using fine mesh strainer into your favorite glass, garnish, and enjoy. Serve in a cocktail glass, margarita glasses or in a large pitcher.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this delicious recipe perfect.
Use Good Tequila - Use good quality tequila in the recipe for the best tasting margarita.
Make Ahead - You can easily make this recipe a batch cocktail and make ahead of time! Just cool in the refrigerator without any ice so the drink doesn't get watered down.
Make the Juice - Making your own watermelon juice might sound difficult, but it's actually so easy! It's so refreshing and really makes this cocktail special. Make extra and just sip on the juice the next day - it's so delicious!
Kitchen Equipment
There are a few things you may need to make this recipe:
Cocktail Shaker: If you're looking at this recipe, you probably like to make cocktails. And if you don't own a cocktail shaker, you can't make cocktails! So you should definitely own one. Check out this one as a great starter shaker, it's available on Amazon.
Juicer: A good lime juicer is a must for any home mixologist. Check out this one on Amazon - it's a great price and great quality.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.
Spicy Watermelon Mocktail - To make this a cocktail, simply omit the tequila! It's just as refreshing without any of the alcohol.
Frozen Spicy Watermelon Margarita - You can definitely make this recipe frozen! Just blend in a blender with 1 cup of ice and enjoy your frozen drink!
Other Fruit Flavors - This recipe can definitely be adapted to other fruits. Think peaches, pears, or anything you can make or find juice for.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you're not a fan of tequila, try using Vodka or Gin. It won't taste the same as a margarita, but it will still be equally refreshing.
There are many ways to make a margarita spicy. This recipe used muddled jalapeños, but you can also use other spicy peppers or ground cayenne pepper to spice things up. If you want a smoky margarita instead of spicy, you can use Mezcal instead of tequila for a smoky-tasting drink.
Yes, you can absolutely use bottled lime juice for margaritas.
More Cocktail Recipes
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Spicy Watermelon Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange simple syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz watermon juice
- 1 jalapeño including seeds
- Jalapeño slices, watermelon slices, or mint for garnish
Instructions
- Combine tequila, orange simple syrup, lime juice, watermelon juice, and jalapeño in a cocktail shaker. Muddle until jalepeno starts to break down.
- Add ice to shaker and shake well.
- Strain through a cocktail strainer into a glass. Serve with a garnish of mint, watermelon slice, or jalapeño slices.
Notes
- You may use any kind of tequila for this recipe
- To make this a smoky and spicy margarita, you can use mezcal for a delicious twist
- Garnish with a mint sprig, watermelon slice, or additional jalapeño slices
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment below or tag us @tasting.with.tina on Instagram!
Casey T says
Very simple and mighty delicious! Watermelon juice is so refreshing! Reminds me of summer!
Christina Musgrave says
The fresh watermelon juice is an absolute game changer!