Published: · Modified: by Ansley Beutler
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This refreshing and slightly spicy skinny jalapeño margarita recipe has arrived just in time for warmer weather. Made on the rocks with fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and plump jalapeño peppers, this healthy-ish margarita is on the "lighter side" and sure to be a hit all summer long!
This refreshing Skinny Spicy Margarita Recipe is perfect for summer!
We're a huge fan of fun homemade co*cktails here at The Fit Peach. We have this trendy chocolate espresso margarita recipe, a super popular blood orange sangria recipe, and even boozy ice pops!
We're a huge fan of fun homemade co*cktails here at The Fit Peach. This trendy chocolate espresso margarita, my super popular blood orange sangria, and these boozy ice pops are also some of my favorite co*cktails!
But it's hard to beat a fresh margarita at happy hour. Especially one that's skinny, spicy, and a little smokey. I like to call it the triple "S" trifecta! And with Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, a spicy co*cktail was only fitting. It's tart with a little heat and the perfect balance of natural flavors. I have a few margarita tips and tricks I'm dying to share too - including different ways to customize your margarita and how to get a beautifully salted rim!
Jump to:
- This refreshing Skinny Spicy Margarita Recipe is perfect for summer!
- Healthy Margarita Recipe ingredients
- How to make a Skinny Spicy Margarita
- How to salt the rim
- What to serve this Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe with
- Easy Spicy Margarita Recipe FAQs
- More From The Fit Peach
- Recipe
- Reviews
Healthy Margarita Recipe ingredients
My spicy jalapeño margarita recipe uses natural ingredients so the drink tastes light and fresh and not too sugary. With just a few simple ingredients, you'll be sipping on one of the best classic co*cktails in no time!
- Cilantro - used to add a touch of fresh herb flavor. This is optional (I know some people don't love cilantro) but if you're a cilantro person I highly recommend it!
- Jalapeño - this is what adds a little kick to the margarita! Use a fresh jalapeño and make sure to take the seeds out of the jalapeño before using them in the recipe or it will be super hot!
- Lime juice - fresh lime juice is best in this spicy skinny jalapeño margarita. Use a citrus juicer to get the most juice from your limes.
- Agave - the quintessential "skinny" margarita sweetener. Agave nectar has light sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the tartness of the limes without being overbearing. You can substitute with maple syrup if needed.
- Tequila - it wouldn't be a margarita without tequila! Use a high-quality blanco tequila if you can. I actually prefer to use mezcal in my margaritas, more on that below!
- Chili lime sea salt - used to garnish the rim of your co*cktail glasses, the best part in my opinion! I used Trader Joe's Chili Lime Seasoning plus a little sea salt. You can also make your own with a little paprika, cayenne pepper or spicy chili, coconut sugar, and sea salt.
Many margarita recipes will add a splash of triple sec in the mix which is an orange liqueur. While it does add some additional hints of orange, I don't like to use it in my margarita recipes since it also adds so much sugar. If you have it on hand and would like to use it though, you can add 1 oz of triple sec per serving and mix as directed. If you want the hint of orange, a tablespoon of fresh orange juice will also work well.
How to make a Skinny Spicy Margarita
This skinny jalapeno margarita is so simple to make! All you need is a co*cktail shaker or mason jar and a few glasses.
Step 1 : Prepare the salted rim
You want to do this step first so the rim has time to dry before adding the ice and the co*cktail.
To get the salted rim, run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. This is best done with the glass upside down (not as pictured) so the lime juice doesn't run down the glass.
Then place the glass upside down in the chili lime sea salt mixture to coat the rim. You make need to tilt the glass a little to make sure the salt sticks to all parts of the rim. Set aside to dry while you prepare the rest of the spicy skinny margarita recipe.
Step 2 : Muddle the jalapeños and cilantro with the lime juice
Place the fresh jalapeno slices and a few cilantro leaves in the bottom of a co*cktail shaker with the lime juice. Muddle the jalapeño slices and cilantro with a muddler to break them up into the lime juice. This opens up the flavors and mixes them into the lime juice.
If you don't have a muddler, use the back of a spoon to break up the large pieces.
Step 3 : Add the tequila and agave
Next add the tequila and agave nectar to the co*cktail shaker with lots of ice. Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds to mix it all up and make it super cold.
If you are using a mason jar instead of a co*cktail shaker, make sure the lid is on really tight before you get to shaking!
Step 4 : Pour
Fill the co*cktail glass with ice. I crushed up ice from my freezer by filling a zip-lock bag with ice and dropping it a few times on the counter to break up the cubes.
It's easiest and best to use a spoon to fill the glasses with ice so you don't knock off the pretty salted rim. Simply scoop up the crushed ice or a few ice cubes with a soup spoon and gently slide them into the glasses until they're full with ice.
Step 5 : Garnish
This step is optional but adds a little something extra to the spicy co*cktail recipe.
Garnish the co*cktail with a few extra jalapeño slices, a slice of lime, and a small cilantro stem and enjoy!
How to salt the rim
There are a few tricks to achieve a beautifully salted rim around your co*cktail glass.
- Spice up the salt. Literally. I used Trader Joe's Chili Lime Seasoning and then added in my own sea salt. You can also use tajin seasoning or make your own with paprika, cayenne pepper, coconut sugar, and sea salt.
- Use a lime wedge. To create a bit of "stickiness" around the rim for the salt to stick to, run a lime wedge around the rim. Allow the juice from the lime to stick to the glass.
- Keep the glass upside down. When running the lime around the rim, keep the glass upside down. This prevents the juice from running down the sides of the glass. Continue to keep it upside down while you dip it in the salt as well.
- Be careful adding the ice. Once it's time to add the ice, use a spoon to slide the ice into the glass. Tilt the glass towards you and place the spoonful of ice on the side of the glass and let the ice slide into the bottom. Doing this will prevent your pretty rim from getting knocked off.
What to serve this Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe with
For a happy hour setting, serve up this margarita with mysweet potato friesand a fewdipping sauces. Mywhipped feta,mango salsa, andbang bang shrimpare also happy hour favorites.
If you’re serving this co*cktail alongside a meal, I recommend myavocado corn salad,caramelized brussel sprouts, andcrispy cauliflower
Easy Spicy Margarita Recipe FAQs
What is the difference between a margarita and a skinny margarita?
A standard margarita typically is outfitted with liqueur like triple-sec or Cointreau. It also probably is sweetened with simple syrup (aka sugar water). A skinny margarita is a lower calorie version with a more natural way of sweetening the drink. In this spicy skinny margarita recipe, we don't use any liqueur and naturally sweeten the co*cktail with a little agave nectar.
Can I make a pitcher of margaritas with this recipe?
Yes! This spicy skinny margarita recipe makes two standard drinks. Double it to make a pitcher for 4 or triple it for a party of 6! If you're making a pitcher, you may want to skip the muddling part since you will be pouring the drink from a pitcher and not through a strainer. This is totally okay but will make a slightly less spicy drink so throw in a few extra jalapeños for good measure. Instead of shaking the drink, add the ice to the pitcher and stir it up with a large spoon or co*cktail stirrer and serve into your glasses.
What's the best way to make this ahead of time?
This skinny spicy margarita recipe actually gets even better with time. The flavors of the jalapeño and cilantro will only get stronger. To make this recipe ahead of time, prepare it as directed below but pour it into an airtight drink container. It's best enjoyed the next day but you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, prepare your co*cktail glasses with the salt rim, add the ice, and pour in the co*cktail mixture.
How can I make a frozen margarita?
Simply follow the recipe as instructed but instead of shaking the ingredients over ice, pour the liquid into a blended with a cup of ice per serving and blend until well mixed.
Mezcal vs Tequila
My last margarita tip - swap the standard tequila for mezcal!
I know what you're thinking. What the heck is mezcal and what makes it so special? I break down some of it's most special characteristics in my smoky grapefruit margarita recipe but here is a brief rundown:
Mezcal actually came before tequila. All tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. Kind of like the whole "every square is a rectangle but not every rectangle is a square" thing you learned in grade school (but slightly more interesting because...margaritas, duhh!).
With tequila, the liquor has to be derived fromblue agave. Mezcal however, can come fromany type of agave. Make sense yet?
Mezcal has this rich, smoky flavor that is absolutely delicious in a co*cktail. It adds another flavor element without you having to do much of anything. Most liquor stores now carry mezcal so I highly recommend grabbing a bottle to try it out in this spicy skinny margarita recipe!
For more co*cktail fun, check out my:
- Espresso Chocolate Martini
- Smoked Cinnamon Apple Cider Bourbon Smash co*cktail
- Skinny Smoky Grapefruit Margarita
More From The Fit Peach
- Banana Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Espresso Martini Recipe
- Easy No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe
- Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
- Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Small Batch)
PS: If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star review and comment below! Also be sure to follow along with me onInstagramandPinterestto stay up to date on all tasty recipes here at The Fit Peach!
Recipe
Spicy Skinny Margarita
This refreshing and slightly spicy skinny margarita recipe has arrived just in time for warmer weather. Made on the rocks with fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and plump jalapeños, this healthy-ish margarita is on the "lighter side" and sure to be a hit all summer long!
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: co*cktails
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: healthy margarita, spicy agave margarita, spicy skinny jalapeño margarita recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 co*cktails
Calories: 166kcal
Author: Ansley Beutler
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon Trader Joe's Chili Lime Seasoning - see notes below on other options
- ½ jalapeño - plus more to garnish
- 3 cilantro leaves - plus a few extra stems to garnish
- ⅔ cup lime juice - approx. 4 large limes
- 3 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon water - sparkling water will work too and the carbonation adds a little fizz!
- 3 oz tequila or mezcal
Instructions
Prepare the salt for the rim by mixing together the sea salt and chili lime seasoning in a shallow dish or plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of our co*cktail glasses. Keep the glass upside down when doing this to prevent the lime juice from running down the sides of the glass. Dip the rim into the salt mixture to coat. You may need to tilt the glass around to make sure the entire rim is coated. Set aside while you prepare the co*cktail.
Dice the jalapeño half into slices and place in the bottom of a co*cktail shaker with the cilantro leaves and lime juice. Muddle the jalapeños and cilantro into the juice with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to break them up. This releases the flavors into the lime juice.
Pour agave syrup, water, and tequila or mezcal into the co*cktail shaker. Fill up the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
Fill up your co*cktail glasses with ice. To do this, use a spoon to slide the ice into the glass. Tilt the glass towards you and place the spoonful of ice on the side of the glass and let the ice slide into the bottom. Doing this will prevent your pretty rim from getting knocked off.
Pour the co*cktail mixture through a strainer and into the glasses.
Garnish with a lime wedge, extra jalapeño slices, and cilantro and kick back, relax, and enjoy!
Notes
Salted rim options : I used Trader Joe'sChili Lime Seasoning and then added in my own sea salt. You can also use tajin seasoning or make your own with ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon coconut sugar, and 2 teaspoon sea salt.
Make a pitcher : Double this spicy skinny margarita recipe to make a pitcher for 4 or triple it for a party of 6! If you're making a pitcher, you may want to skip the muddling part since you will be pouring the drink from a pitcher and not through a strainer. This is totally okay but will make a slightly less spicy drink so throw in a few extra jalapeños for good measure. Instead of shaking the drink, add the ice to the pitcher and stir it up with a large spoon or co*cktail stirrer and serve into your glasses.
Make ahead of time : This spicy skinny margarita recipe actually gets even better with time. The flavors of the jalapeño and cilantro will only get stronger. To make this recipe ahead of time, prepare it as directed below but pour it into an airtight drink container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, prepare your co*cktail glasses with the salt rim, add the ice, and pour in the co*cktail mixture.
Nutrition
Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3493mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 243IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
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