Spicy Watermelon Margarita
A vibrant, refreshing cocktail that balances sweet watermelon with spicy jalapeño and tangy lime, perfectly complemented by quality tequila and finished with a chili-salt rim for an extra kick.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh watermelon chunks seeds removed
- 4 oz silver tequila 100% agave recommended
- 2 oz fresh lime juice approximately 2 limes
- 1 oz orange liqueur Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 1 jalapeño sliced (seeds included for extra heat, removed for milder spice)
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar or simple syrup adjustable to taste
- Ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons Tajin or chili-salt mix for rimming glasses
- Lime wedges and watermelon triangles for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the watermelon puree by blending the watermelon chunks until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp, which will give you a cleaner-tasting cocktail.
- Prepare your glasses by running a lime wedge around the rim, then dipping into Tajin or chili-salt mix. Fill glasses with ice and set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle 2-3 jalapeño slices (depending on your heat preference) until the oils are released and you can smell the pepper’s aroma.
- Add 1 cup of watermelon puree, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar to the shaker with the muddled jalapeño.
- Fill the shaker halfway with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Strain the mixture into your prepared glasses, using a fine-mesh strainer if you prefer no jalapeño bits.
- Garnish with a watermelon triangle and additional jalapeño slice if desired. Serve immediately while cold.
Notes
- For a make-ahead option, prepare the watermelon puree up to 24 hours in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.
- If serving a crowd, multiply the recipe and prepare in a pitcher, but wait to add ice until serving to prevent dilution.
- For a frozen version, freeze watermelon chunks before blending and reduce ice.
- The spice level intensifies slightly as the drink sits, so adjust jalapeño quantities accordingly.
- A quality silver (blanco) tequila makes a significant difference in this cocktail—the fresh watermelon pairs better with silver than with aged varieties.