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
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.