Our sweet and spicy watermelon jalapeño margaritas are the perfect Summer cocktail! This easy cocktail recipe uses freshly squeezed lime juice, orange liqueur, fresh jalapeño pepper and our homemade watermelon syrup!
This fun cocktail is the best way to chill out on hot Summer days! It's a sweet watermelon cocktail balanced with tangy lime juice and a spicy kick!
If you love spicy margs as much as we do, be sure to make a batch of our Spicy Mezcal Margaritas, too!
Ingredients
This spicy watermelon margarita recipe uses classic margarita ingredients with 5 Minute Watermelon Syrup (instead of agave nectar) and fresh jalapeño slices!
This coin-style margarita recipe uses all fresh ingredients - with no need for a pre-made sour mix!
- Watermelon Syrup - Read more below
- Tequila
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Orange Liqueur - Triple Sec, Cointreau of Curaçao all work great!
- 3 - 4 Slices of Jalapeño - You can leave them out if you want a sweet cocktail, or add a little extra if you like it on the spicy side!
- Ice Cubes- For shaking and serving!
- Mini Slice of Watermelon - For the cutest garnish ever!
- Salt, Smoked Salt or Tajín - Optional for rimming your margarita glasses. (Not pictured)
Pro Tip: Margarita Salt - Not all salt is the same! Different types of salt have different levels of density. Denser salts taste “saltier”! Iodized table salt is dense and intense where something like Himalayan pink salt has a more subtle salty flavor. For margaritas, we like Diamond brand kosher salt because it has small, quickly dissolvable crystals that are light, flaky and more mildly flavored.
Watermelon Syrup
The best part of our watermelon jalapeño margaritas is the perfect match of sweet, tart and spicy! The sweetness and fresh watermelon flavor comes from our homemade watermelon syrup recipe.
Unlike other fruit-based simple syrup recipes, watermelon syrup does not require any heat. Instead, shake up this two ingredient recipe in less than five minutes with a seedless watermelon puree and granulated sugar!
The recipe is below but check out the full watermelon syrup post for tips on picking the ripest melons and more drink ideas! We also love using this syrup to sweeten lemonade or in our Watermelon Martini recipe!
Choosing a Tequila
We recommend using a decent-quality blanco tequila (also known as 'silver') for this jalepeño watermelon margarita recipe. Silver tequila has a more-neutral flavor profile that will not over power the flavors of the fresh watermelon juice.
Your favorite brand of tequila will work great for making jalapeño watermelon margaritas! We tend to prefer Mexican-owned and/or family-owned tequila companies. Some brands of tequila that we can recommend include:
- Lunazul Blanco
- Fortaleza Blanco
- Suerte Blanco - Our favorite!
- Codigo 1530 Blanco
How To Make This Recipe
This sweet and spicy watermelon margarita is simple to make. Here's what you do!
- First, make the watermelon syrup from seedless watermelon and sugar.
- If you'd like to rim the glass, use a fresh lime wedge to wet the edge and dip in salt or Tajín. Fill your glass with ice and set aside.
- Then, combine watermelon syrup, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and a few slices of jalapeño to a cocktail tin. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds, until ice cold.
- Strain the margarita into your prepared glass. Garnish with a mini watermelon slice. Enjoy!
Variation for Pitchers of Spicy Watermelon Margs
When making a single serving of this cocktail, the spiciness comes from the sliced jalapeño being jostled with the ice. The shaking helps to release some of the chilis' capsaicin into the drink.
Since the pitcher portion of this recipe is not shaken, we recommend infusing the tequila with a bit of jalapeño, instead. Add some sliced jalapeño peppers to the tequila and let sit for a few hours, or overnight.
Be sure to taste the batch! If it's too spicy, you can always cut the spicy tequila with a bit more tequila (or make jalapeño margaritas with more watermelon syrup) - to even it out. Jalapeño infused tequila will be shelf stable and can be used in any cocktail that needs a little kick!
More Summer Cocktail Recipes
These are some of our other favorite cocktails for enjoying beneath the Summer sun!
Recipe
Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas
ADJUST SERVINGS
Special Equipment
- 1 Blender (or Food Processor)
- 1 Fine-Mesh Strainer
- 1 Cocktail Shaker (or Mason Jar with Lid)
- 1 Hawthorne Cocktail Strainer
- 1 Fine-Mesh Cocktail/Tea Strainer
Ingredients
Watermelon Syrup (About 2 Cups)
- 1 pound cubed seedless watermelon (About 3 Cups)
- 4 ounces granulated sugar (½ Cup plus 1 Tablespoon)
Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita (Single Serving)
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- ¾ ounce Watermelon Syrup
- ½ ounce orange liqueur Triple Sec, Cointreau or Curaçao
- 3 - 4 slices jalapeño pepper
- Ice as needed for shaking and serving
- 1 mini watermelon wedge optional garnish
- Salt, Smoked Salt or Tajín optional (for rimming the glass)
Pitcher of Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas (8 Servings)
- 2 Cups blanco tequila
- 1 - 2 jalapeño peppers sliced
- 1 Cup lime juice freshly squeezed
- ¾ Cup Watermelon Syrup
- ½ Cup orange liqueur Triple Sec, Cointreau or Curaçao
- Ice as needed for stirring and serving
- 8 mini watermelon wedges optional garnish
- Salt, Smoked Salt or Tajín optional (for rimming the glass)
Instructions
Watermelon Syrup
- Add watermelon to a blender (or food processor) and process on high speed until puréed. Set aside.
- Add sugar to a mason jar. Arrange a funnel and fine mesh strainer over the jar. Strain fresh watermelon puree into the jar with the sugar. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30 - 60 seconds or until the sugar is completely dissolved. Use immediately or keep refrigerated for up to 1 - 2 weeks.
Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita (Single Serving)
- Prepare cocktail glasses with salt, smoked salt, or Tajín, if using. Fill with ice and set aside.
- Combine tequila, lime juice, watermelon syrup, orange liqueur, jalapeño and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until ice cold.
- Strain through a Hawthorne and fine mesh tea strainer into a prepared margarita glass. Garnish with a mini watermelon slice. Serve immediately. Cheers!
Pitcher of Watermelon Jalapeño Margaritas (8 Servings)
- Jalapeño Infused Tequila: Combine tequila and jalapeño peppers in a jar. Let sit for 2 hours or overnight. Taste for desired spiciness and dilute with additional tequila, as desired. (a.)
- In a pitcher or punch bowl, combine the jalapeño infused tequila, lime juice, watermelon syrup, orange liqueur and ice. Stir until well combined. Serve in glasses rimmed with salt, smoked salt or Tajín, if using, and garnish with mini watermelon slices.
Notes
* A Note About Salt
Unless otherwise noted, all recipes on The Sage Apron are developed using Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. It is a great all-purpose salt for cooking and baking. If using table salt, reduce quantities by about half.
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