The first day a spring. Who doesn’t love this time of year? I start dreaming about all things fresh. Fresh air, fresh flowers, produce, freshly organized home. It really is a happy time – and it’s also when I’m totally inspired by shades of green. Everything in spring begins with a shade of green first – the grass, tree buds, spring bulb flower buds. With all that in mind, I decided to create a cocktail to celebrate the new season with its many shades of green. This recipe isn’t too far from the original. I just gave it a twist with some heat and freshness to create a simple Spicy Margaritas with Cucumber.
The Best Glassware for Margaritas
How to Make a Spicy Margarita
The are a few different ways to incorporate jalapeno into a cocktail to add heat. Jalapeños are easy to muddle in a cocktail glass or right in the shaker and it will definitely add some heat. But for a little more control over how spicy things get, I like to add the spice right into the simple syrup. Here’s how to make a classic simple syrup – for this spicy margarita recipe the only ingredient that changes is the addition of jalapeños and cilantro.
How to Make Spicy Simple Syrup
Please don’t ever buy margarita mix again! This is so easy to make. Other than the proper mix of ingredients, simple syrup is the key to giving a margarita recipe a tasty twist. Boil some water and dissolve the sugar. Add the other ingredients to add heat and flavor. Let it cool and add it to the cocktail. Boom, done, yum. If your not into “floaties” in your drink, strain the chopped cilantro from the simple syrup before mixing in into these spicy margaritas.
Blended Margaritas Versus Margaritas on the Rocks
Honestly, this is definitely personal opinion or taste. I prefer margaritas on the rocks because I feel like the cocktail keeps more of those amazing flavors around. If it’s blended, it might stay colder for longer, but as the ice melts it waters the flavor down. And when it comes to margaritas, I am all about that fresh, limey flavor.
PrintSpicy Margarita with Cucumber
Easy spicy margarita recipe with a twist on the original cocktail. Cucumbers and jalapenos are added to give it fresh, spicy springtime flavor.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 8, or one Pitcher
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
THE SIMPLE SYRUP
- 3 small cucumbers, thinly sliced (grab the burpless English variety)
- 2 jalapeño, thinly sliced (add more if you like it hot)
- Bunch of cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
THE MARGARITA
- 1.5 cups tequila blanco
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 cup simple syrup (or to taste)
- Ice
- Salt for the the glasses
- Lime wedges and snap peas for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers and jalapeños. You can rid of the jalapeño seeds, or keep a few around for the extra kick.
- Add the sliced cucumbers and jalapeños into a bowl and gently muddle to release some of those flavors.
- Add the sugar and water to a sauce pan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.
- Add the muddled concoction and bunch of chopped cilantro (omit if you don’t like cilantro) to the sugar water and continue to simmer until sugar is completely dissolved, plus a little longer to to steep the flavors.
- Pull off the burner and let cool.
- Run a wedge of lime around all of the glasses and dip the rims in salt (if desired).
- Add ice to the pitcher and add tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. Gently stir to combine.
- Add ice to each of the glasses and pour the margaritas. Garnish with extra lime wedges and snap peas. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Make the simple syrup ahead of time and store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 31
- Sugar: 2.8 g
- Sodium: 297 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.1 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: margaritas, spicy margaritas, homemade simple syrup
