This Spicy Cucumber Margarita has just the perfect balance of cool flavors + heat, with fresh jalapeno, cucumber, and lime. It comes together in minutes, a fun and delicious tequila cocktail!

A cucumber margarita with jalapenos


 

Easy Spicy Margarita Recipe

Margaritas are my favorite cocktail – especially spicy margaritas. Whenever I see one on a menu, chances are pretty darn good that I’ll be ordering one.

These Spicy Cucumber Margaritas have just the right amount of heat (which you can easily increase or decrease, based on your preference!) and the cool cucumber makes it perfectly refreshing. It’s a crave-worthy balance of spicy and cool flavors, along with the familiar fresh, tart lime juice found in a classic margarita.

You can easily turn these jalapeno cucumber margaritas into a big batch cocktail, too. Because sharing margaritas with friends is always more fun!

Overhead view of spicy cucumber margarita ingredients

What You’ll Need

These jalapeno cucumber margaritas are made with just a few fresh ingredients plus tequila and orange liqueur.

  • Cucumber – I’m using a standard cucumber (not English or Persian) in this recipe because they have a stronger cucumber flavor. No need to peel it – just be sure to wash the skin well before adding it to your drink.
  • Lime slice – Muddle a slice of lime to bring out the oils and fragrance in the zest.
  • Orange liqueur – Orange liqueur adds a bit of sweetness and another layer of flavor to the margarita. My favorite is Cointreau, but feel free to use Triple Sec or another favorite of your own. You could also use freshly squeezed orange juice instead, for less alcohol content.
  • Fresh lime juice – Fresh lime juice adds brightness and acidity to the margarita. Be sure to use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.
  • Agave – I use agave in this margarita, but feel free to swap it for simple syrup or honey.
  • Tequila – I’m using blanco tequila here, for a crisp, clean tequila flavor that lets the cucumber shine.
  • Jalapeno– Jalapeno adds a bit of spice to the drink. If you aren’t a huge fan of spice, remove the seeds from the jalapeno before adding it to the drink – or leave it out entirely. For a spicier drink, add 2-3 slices of jalapeno, or more! And for an even spicier drink, muddle the jalapeno along with the cucumber and lime in the first step of the instructions!
A spicy cucumber margarita

What’s The Best Tequila To Use?

A blanco or silver tequila is best for these cucumber margaritas. They lend a clean flavor that goes so well with the clean, cool flavors of cucumber and lime.

Beyond that, use any decent quality tequila (don’t buy the cheapest tequila!). Patron has been a longtime favorite of mine, although it’s on the pricier side. Other great options are Espolon or Casamigos, which are easier on the wallet.

Slices of cucumber being added to a mason jar
Tequila being added to a glass jar with cucumber slices
Agave being poured into muddled cucumber slices
muddling margarita ingredients in a jar with a wooden spoon

How to Make a Spicy Cucumber Margarita

Spicy margaritas are easy to make at home, no need to wait to find one on a restaurant menu!

  • Muddle the ingredients. Add the cucumber, lime, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave to a shaker. Muddle for 30 to 60 seconds, until cucumber and lime slices are completely broken up – you want to extract as much flavor from these as possible. A cocktail muddler has grooves in the head that easily break up these fresh ingredients. But a wooden spoon will work, too!

*Note: For a spicier margarita, also add the jalapeno slice in this step, and muddle it along with the cucumber and lime slices. And for an even spicier margarita, add more than 1 slice of jalapeno!

Tequila being added to a glass with cucumber slices
A jalapeno being dropped into a glass with cucumber slices
Spicy margarita mix in a mason jar
Spicy cucumber margarita being poured into a glass
  • Shake. Add the tequila and jalapeno, then fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Enjoy! Strain into an ice-filled glass and enjoy.

Can I Make Big Batch Spicy Margaritas?

Of course! These jalapeno cucumber margaritas are perfect for sharing. If I’m making one margarita, I’m probably making a few for some friends as well! So why not skip the individual margarita process and go straight to a pitcher of margaritas?

Basically, you just need to repeat the same process, but on a larger scale. This recipe uses easy measurements of 1 or 2 ounces for each liquid, plus slices of fresh cucumber, lime, and jalapeno.

Here’s how to make a batch for 6 drinks:

  1. In a quart jar (or similar-sized container) with a tight-fitting lid, muddle 24 slices of cucumber, 6 slices of lime, 6 ounces of orange liqueur, 6 ounces of lime juice, and 6 ounces of agave until all the cucumber and lime slices are completely broken up.
  2. Add 12 ounces of tequila and 6 slices of jalapeno and fill jar with ice.
  3. Cover the jar tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a small pitcher or another jar and set in the fridge to chill until your guests arrive.
  4. To serve, add ice to 6 individual glasses and divide prepared margarita mixture evenly. Garnish with slices of cucumber, lime, and jalapeno, if desired.
A hand holding a spicy cucumber margarita

Serving Suggestions

I always like a salted rim on my margaritas – here’s how to do it!

  • For a regular salted rim, dip the rim of your glass into a shallow plate of water, and then dip the wet rim into a small plate of coarse salt or margarita salt.
  • For a spicy rim, combine 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and 2 teaspoons of Tajin. Dip the rim of the glass into water and then into the spicy salt mixture.

I also love to top this margarita with a splash or two of Topo Chico, which lightens up the drink and adds some refreshing effervescence. This is a top choice for me when it’s hot outside and I know I’d like to drink more than one cocktail!

Close up of a jalapeno cucumber margarita

Margarita Variations

If you like margaritas, here are a few more awesome variations for you:

  • Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita. Sweet pineapple and jalapeno are a fun, natural pairing.
  • Jalapeno Mezcal Margarita. Instead of blanco tequila, a smoky mezcal is used in this spicy margarita – very fun!
  • Pink Lemonade Margarita. This fun margarita uses lemons instead of limes for a pretty-in-pink twist – a great summery twist!
  • Prosecco Margarita. A big batch margarita recipe with bubbles – fun for celebrations – and you’ll see from the reviews, it’s a very popular recipe!
  • Rhubarb Margarita. My spring and summertime go-to, with one of my favorite fresh ingredients!
  • Orange Margarita. This one’s full of fresh citrusy sunshine, a very popular cocktail.
  • Ranch Water. I call this my “skinny margarita”, as it’s about as light as you can get for a cocktail, with no added sugar/simple syrup. It’s super refreshing, a tequila-lover’s drink!

Like this cocktail recipe? Save it to Pinterest!

Pinterest image for spicy cucumber margarita

More Cocktail Recipes:

A jalapeno cucumber margarita with a spicy salt rim

Spicy Cucumber Margarita

Yield: 1 cocktail
prep time: 10 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
This Spicy Cucumber Margarita has just the perfect balance of cool flavors + heat, with fresh jalapeno, cucumber, and lime. It comes together in minutes, a fun and delicious tequila cocktail!
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
Print

Ingredients

  • 4 slices cucumber about ¼” thick – use a regular cucumber, not English or Persian
  • 1 slice lime about ¼” thick
  • 1 ounce orange liqueur
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ to 1 ounce agave to taste – or substitute simple syrup or honey
  • 2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 1 slice fresh jalapeno about ¼” thick, with seeds – use more for additional heat

Instructions

  • Add sliced cucumber, sliced lime, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave to a cocktail shaker. Muddle for 30 to 60 seconds, or until cucumber and lime slices are completely broken up. A cocktail muddler has a grooved head that is designed for breaking up fresh ingredients easily, but a simple wooden spoon works in a pinch!
  • Add tequila and jalapeno. Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice. Garnish with slices of cucumber, lime, and jalapeno, if desired. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

For more heat: Add the jalapeno in Step 1 and muddle it along with the cucumber and lime. And for even more heat, add more jalapeno slices!
For a regular salted rim: Dip the rim of your glass into a shallow plate of water, and then dip the wet rim into a small plate of coarse salt or margarita salt.
For a spicy rim: Combine 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and 2 teaspoons of Tajin. Dip the rim of the glass into water and then into the spicy salt mixture.
For a pitcher of margarita, for 6 drinks:
  1. In a quart jar (or similar-sized container) with a tight-fitting lid, muddle 24 slices of cucumber, 6 slices of lime, 6 ounces of orange liqueur, 6 ounces of lime juice, and 6 ounces of agave until all the cucumber and lime slices are completely broken up.
  2. Add 12 ounces of tequila and 6 slices of jalapeno and fill jar with ice.
  3. Cover the jar tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into a small pitcher or another jar and set in the fridge to chill until your guests arrive.
  4. To serve, add ice to 6 individual glasses and divide prepared margarita mixture evenly. Garnish with slices of cucumber, lime, and jalapeno, if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 316kcal Carbohydrates: 211g Protein: 4g Fat: 1g Sodium: 16mg Fiber: 5g Sugar: 50g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!
© Brenda | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles
Cuisine: Mexican
Course: Cocktails
A jalapeno cucumber margarita with a spicy salt rim