There is nothing like a cool, sweet and spicy Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita to take the sting out of a sweltering summer’s day. The only thing better? A smoked salt rim on the glass.
Watermelon margaritas are great, especially in the summer. We love making them with watermelon infused tequila in fact.
This spicy watermelon margarita recipe spin takes it up a notch for those loving some spicy heat. Jalapenos make this an exciting cocktail you won’t soon forget!
Grab some pico de gallo or some Queso Fundido and relax!
Spicy Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita
This cocktail is an exciting fresh-style margarita. ‘Fresh style’ means there are no mixes used to get the great margarita flavor.
It doesn’t use Triple Sec which is very sweet. Or simple syrup.
The fantastic flavor combination of fresh lime juice, pureed watermelon, and agave nectar to sweeten it all up.
Plus a spicy kick of a fresh jalapeno chile pepper.
The jalapeno watermelon combination is a dynamic duo!
It’s a perfect blending of tart, sweet and spicy.
This is a perfect summer cocktail to pair with summer grilling.
Smoked Salt Rim
The icing on the cake, or the salt on the rim as it were, adds a whole next level to this watermelon jalapeno margarita.
I am in love, utterly and completely, with smoked salt.
The original recipe called for hickory smoked salt for rimming the glass. I’ve also used alderwood smoked salt in a finer grind.
A family member walked into my photo room and exclaimed ‘it smells like a campfire in here’; there you have it. It has a wonderfully smoky aroma.
It is the perfect match for this cocktail.
NOTE: It is a strong salt. A little goes a long way so consider that when rimming the glass for how much of a rim you desire.
What you need to make it
Jalapeno Pepper
If you have not worked with chile peppers there are a few notes. Wash your hands very well after handling them.
Also do not touch your fingers to your eyes, nose or mouth before washing them first. The oil from the pepper will sting.
The seeds generate most of the heat. So if you want a milder cocktail, remove the seeds before muddling the pepper.
I have a trick for doing that easily in this Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce Recipe. Check the photos for a visual tutorial.
It involves sliding a dining spoon underneath the seed membrane to easily remove it.
Jalapenos can vary in heat often dramatically. If you don’t enjoy spiciness use less.
Tequila
Use Blanco (white) or Silver tequila for this margarita recipe. Aged tequila has a more distinct flavor that can overtake the other ingredients.
Lime Juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice makes all the difference. I use a handheld juicer which really extracts lots of juice. It also traps any seeds.
TIP: microwave the lime for 10 seconds before juicing to extract more juice.
If juicing the lime my hand (no juicing device) before to keep any seeds from getting into the cocktail ingredients.
Watermelon Puree
Make your own by putting watermelon in a blender and pureeing it.
Watermelon puree is available to purchase for use in cocktails but it is not straight watermelon. It’s more liquid in texture and usually has multiple ingredients including high fructose corn syrup so will be very sweet.
Agave Nectar
This is what sweetens the watermelon jalapeno margarita.
Smoked Salt (glass rim)
This is optional buts a great dimension to the flavor of the cocktail. Use a fine grind smoked salt.
Regular margarita salt can also be used.
Variations
For a spicy rim: combine some chili powder and margarita salt. OR chili powder with the smoked salt.
How to make it
STEP 1. Muddle
In a quart size glass Mason jar or cocktail shaker, add the jalapeno and mudde it.
What is muddling?
Using a cocktail muddler (it looks like a long wand with a rounded end of plastic disk on the end) the chile pepper is smashed to release the liquids and flavors.
STEP 2. Make the margarita
Add the tequila, watermelon puree, agave syrup and lime juice and a handful of ice to the cocktail shaker or jar.
Seal and shake vigorously.
STEP 3. Rim the glass with salt
You can choose to serve in a salt rimmed glass or not. Using regular margarita salt or the smoked salt.
To rim the glass run some lime juice along the glass rim.
Place the glass rim side down in a small plate with salt.
Twist, lift and set on the bottom of the glass for the rim to dry.
STEP 4. Strain and pour
Fill an old fashioned glass with fresh ice. Strain the margarita into the glass using a fine mesh strainer or the strainer in the cocktail shaker.
Garnish with a piece of watermelon and lime wedge (optional).
Make a Pitcher!
If you want to make a larger batch of watermelon jalapeno margaritas instead of individual cocktails here’s how.
The one tricky part is needing to muddle the jalapenos (so it can’t just be made into a punch-like batch).
Making an 8-cocktail batch will require a container 38-ounces or larger plus room for ice.
We recommend getting a large Mason jar to muddle and mix the cocktails in. It can then be strained into a pitcher for serving.
Make just before serving as citrus juice can dull in flavor as it sits. Also save the ice for the glasses so it doesn’t melt and dilute the drinks.
Measurements in the recipe card below.
FAQs
You’ll need a cocktail shaker or use a quart size glass jar with lid. Both work great.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
Smoky Watermelon-Jalapeno Margarita
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 jalapeno chile pepper
- 2 ounces tequila (I used a Blanco, or white, un-aged tequila for this)
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce watermelon puree
- ¾ ounce agave nectar/syrup
- Hickory smoked salt for rimming the glass
Instructions
- Muddle the jalapeno in a shaker or a pint glass.
- Add the tequila, lime juice, watermelon puree and agave nectar.
- Shake with ice and strain into a double old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice and rimmed with hickory smoked salt. Garnish with a slice of watermelon and lime wedge.
Notes
- 6 jalapenos
- 16 ounces silver or blanco tequila
- 8 ounces watermelon puree
- 8 ounces fresh lime juice
- 6 ounces agave nectar
- a glass container larger then 38-ounces
Nutrition
Originally published: May 20, 2012
Ana Ankeny says
Loving the added jalapeno to this drink! Great flavor combination!
Shelby Forester says
I am so happy to find this recipe, this was our favorite cocktail on vacation last year!
Ashley Presciutti says
Made this in a large batch for a small get-together. Amazing!
Jacqueline Debono says
Wow margarita with jalapenos, yes please.
Andrea says
Wow! What fabulous flavors. I made one of these awesome margarita’s!
Lindsay says
Ok, I love and appreciate people who come up with cockatail recipes SO much, because I could never have thought of this combination on my own, but I made it, and it’s amazing! the combination of sweet, spicy, and warm from the tequila is just perfect. Thank you!
Ellen Fortino says
We look forward to kicking off the hot weather every year with a batch of these margaritas. Delicious flavor combo.
Carrie Robinson says
I am loving everything about this! What a great cocktail for summertime. 🙂
Cristina says
Dee-lish. Great balance and would totally make again.
Toni Dash says
So glad Cristina! I love this cocktail myself.
Mary Catherine Wellons says
Would you recommend making in bulk for a large party of, say, 20 people? If so, any tips on ingredients, anything you would change?
Boulder Locavore says
It is a great drink and not one you find regularly so would have a novel, yet refreshing quality for a party. I feel the recipe above is perfectly balanced so my advice would be to use the same proportions but make it in larger batches. I might consider combining the fresh lime juice, tequila, watermelon puree and agave before the party (not way before) so all you have to do in the moment is muddle the jalapendo, add the correct amount of the liquid, shake, strain and serve. You can also pre-salt the glasses before the party. If you have a large enough container to muddle a few peppers in you could make a few of the drinks at a time which would move things along. Maybe do a pre-experiment blending enough liquid for 4 drinks and try it out so you know how to judge the quantitiy of liquid to peppers before you do it for the party (I tend to get distracted when the party starts and I'm hosting!). Hope that helps!
Boulder Locavore says
Hi again Mary Catherine! I saw you had two similar comments/questions though they were not completely identical so I'll add on.
I do think you could make this more 'in bulk' as I discussed above; use the same amounts x 20 and then divide the total volume of the liquid by 20 for the per serving amount. Once you've done that you can add a serving size per muddled pepper for shaking. E.g. if you have a large container and can muddle 4 peppers at once, add 4 servings of liquid, shake, strain and pour 4 cocktails at a time. Make sense?
Also the hickory smoke really is a big part of the cocktail signature flavor. I'd recommend it and presalt the rims lightly for varied preferences. I think that touch separates this cocktail from similar ones and is the aspect that will have people leave your party talking! I've never seen hickory smoked salt used in that way. Good luck and have fun!
sweetlady says
This Smoky Watermelon-Jalapeno Margarita is so tempting, really tempting! 😛 Have you tried making a hibiscus margarita? So refreshing! 🙂
RavieNomNoms says
Wow! What a creative drink! It looks so amazing!
Abby says
This is definitely going on the summer drinks list, fabulous recipe! I'm totally envious you've been to Tanzania.
Baker Street says
Ooh. Jalapenos and watermelon are brilliantly paired here! Love the combination. That drink looks super yum!
Boulder Locavore says
Thank you. It's a really unique cocktail and I too loved the flavor combinations. Perfect for summer!
Kimberly.Oakes says
I clicked on this recipe because all I could think was, “I WANT THIS NOW!” Only to find that you're in Boulder! I just moved here yesterday. I'm in love already!
Boulder Locavore says
Welcome Kimberly! I hope finding my blog and your reaction to the cocktial is just a positive omen for your time in Boulder! Hope you'll come back and read some more.
Kimberly.Oakes says
Thank you, I definitely will! I am excited to try out all the local places you have mentioned.
I want to become quickly aquatinted with the community.
Kim Bee says
Dang, I don't even drink and I'm dying to try this. Looks so inviting.
Boulder Locavore says
I think anything with watermelon is so refreshing and so 'summer' who wouldn't want to drink it?! Unfortunately I'm unsure how you could amend this to be alcohol free. You could always just omit the tequila and try the rest of the ingredients Kim. Why not?!
Dulcie @ Two Tarts says
Delish. Comida has this cocktail (but without the smokiness) and I enjoyed it a few weeks ago. I'll definitely try this one at home! Mmmm…
Boulder Locavore says
The smoked salt definitely plays a major role in this cocktail and one that could quickly overpower if doing a heavy handed rim on the glass. If Comida makes a more traditional Margarita it might be a bit different since this has no orange liqueur and the lime flavor is delivered in a bit different way too. Good opportunity for a comparison! After all a girl can't have too many Watermelon Jalapeno cocktails in her back pocket for summer right?
All That I'm Eating says
This looks amazing! I can imagine how good it tastes with the chillies and hickory salt. It's lovely that you can look back through your old food photos, like a breadcrumb trail!
Boulder Locavore says
I think food as a memory prompt is highly ignored. I've heard sensory memories of smell or taste are the strongest memory evokers. Makes sense those food moments would place life in time and place. Hope you'll try the cocktail; it's really unique and summer-worthy!
Jen @ The Scrumptious Pumpkin says
I love to make a watermelon soda, so this looks wonderful to me. Beautiful photos too. So glad to have discovered your blog on Foodbuzz! 🙂
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Jen! When I lived in Singapore I'd go down to a juice vendor mid morning and have watermelon juice every day. Really just pureed watermelon and it was so refreshing. Watermelon soda sounds great! How do you make it? Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment.
Lizzy says
Oh, what an out of the ordinary, fabulous margarita! I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Toni…these are beautiful!!!
Boulder Locavore says
Aww….thank Lizzy! It is out of the ordinary but are really well balanced and perfect for summer!
Chef Dennis says
I need to be your neighbor, you do come up with the best cocktails! I only have one question, if Summer is afoot, does that make winter ahiney?
Boulder Locavore says
Thanks Dennis. My pantry is full of mason jars of my infusions and summer always prompts refreshing cocktails! Come over anytime!
Mercedes says
I cannot wait to make this cocktail! There is a strawberry jalepeno margarita at a restaurant that I love, so I know this will be right up my alley!
Boulder Locavore says
I hope you'll enjoy it Mercedes. I love it. It's refreshing and I found the heat perfect; just enough to compliment the sweetness but not overpowering. Perfect summer cocktail!
Elisabeth says
I pinned your fabulous Margarita on Pinterest, here's my boards…check it out! Linked it back to you.
Elisabeth says
Toni-Your Smokey Watermelon-Jalapeno Margarita, is a “Margarita lover's” dream come true!
Honestly!…genius, spicy, smokey, refreshing summer cocktail. Love all the photos, your amazing post, and I feel I've been missing so much in the months that I haven't visited your beautiful blog!
Must pin your amazing cocktail, on Pinterest…and be sure to put your blog on my blog list, to remind myself to check for the latest.
Thanks so much for your sweet, and kind comment re: my guest post with my daughter Lora:D
Hugs,
Boulder Locavore says
Hi Elisabeth! Thank you for all your generous comments! AND for pinning the cocktail. I am now following you too on Pinterest. I find it's hard to find people on Pinterest; I used your link and 'followed all' so you should see me to follow back if you like. If not there is a Pinterest button on the top right of my blog too. Great to connect; it's been too long!
Lea Ann says
I love your metaphor about running through the finish line ribbon. Exactly!!! 🙂 I've got to look for some smoked salt. This is a beautiful drink Toni.
Boulder Locavore says
Frankly in my current overbooked state, it will be more like crawling across the finish line on hands and knees probably with some simpering thrown in for good measure! Savory Spice Shop carries both hickory smoked and alderwood smoked salt Lea Ann. The 'nose' on these salts is amazing. I'm sure the clerk regarded me as a complete culinary drug addict by the massive inhaling I was doing in the jar to select the salt I wanted to use!