Spicy Cucumber Margarita.
Keeping things fun with this Spicy Cucumber Margarita. Tequila mixed with fresh lime juice, cucumbers, spicy jalapeños, and topped off with ginger beer for a bit of a fizzy kick. It’s a touch of sweet, a little bit spicy, and so refreshing too! Perfect for spring, and the summer days ahead. Finish this cocktail off with a salty chili rimmed glass for a delicious stay home spice things up cocktail. This margarita is easy to create, uses minimal ingredients, and is oh so very good!
And I am back! As usual, with another Cocktail Saturday post, just popping in to share this quick and easy margarita recipe. I know so many of us are at home, cooking and baking this weekend with not too much else to do…hello to this new day and age of quarantined life. Thankfully, we do have some fun things to create in the kitchen. And even better?
We’ve got this fun, spicy, spring cocktail to make.
This one is a new favorite and uses mostly pantry ingredients…mixed with a few fresh items too. Guys, say hello to this Spicy Cucumber Margarita. It’s not your average margarita. Instead, it’s spicy, sweet, and a little fizzy too. All the things I love most in a drink.
The details.
This cocktail is simple as can be. First, start with the salty-sweet, chili salt lined rim. It’s simply sea salt, chili powder, and a pinch of granulated sugar mixed together. It adds such a nice salty, sweet, and spicy touch to each drink. Plus, it’s extra pretty, and fun too…which I’m really all about these days.
Once you rim your glasses in the sweet chili salt, make the drink. In a cocktail shaker, or even just a glass jar with a lid (use what you have), muddle together cucumber slices, mint leaves, a splash…or two, of tequila, a dash of orange liquor, a squeeze of fresh lime, and honey for sweetness. Muddle everything down until the cucumbers release their juice and are pretty well smashed.
At this point, toss in the jalapeños, and shake to infuse the drink with spice.
Then strain into your glass and top off with ginger beer for even more spicy sweetness, and a touch of fizz too.
If you don’t keep cucumbers in the fridge, no worries at all. You can simply omit them from the recipe or swap in one of your favorite fresh or frozen fruits. Pineapple, mangos, or any berry (fresh or frozen) would be very good. Use what you’ve got everyone!
The same goes for the garnishes, I like to add additional mint for serving, and edible flowers for a pop of color, but use what you have on hand. I’ve been ordering my flowers and herbs from Gourmet Sweet Botanicals. They’ll last all week and they’re the prettiest.
If you want to serve this to all of the adults present in your home, make the punch version. It serves about four, but can easily be doubled or tripled. As soon as this quarantine is lifted, I’ll be quadrupling the punch version when my family is all back in town. This drink has all of their favorites in one, they’ll love it.
Simple and perfect.
My Saturday Suggestions…
Plan a day full of cooking and baking…because really, what else is there to do these days. Then enjoy a Saturday night at home with a little Netflix, a homemade dinner, and a cocktail in hand.
The perfect night…and a great way to make the best of “social distancing”. The question is, what are you all watching, and what will you make for dinner? Oh! And maybe add dessert too. Yes, add dessert because why not?
OK. Here is my menu…
Spicy Cucumber Margarita
One Skillet Cheesy Cuban..ish (inspired) Chicken and Rice Bake
(healthy…ish) Homemade Samoas Cookies
Netflix options: Virgin River, Spinning Out. Hulu options: Little Fires Everywhere
Hope you all enjoy!
Lastly, if you make this spicy cucumber margarita, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Spicy Cucumber Margarita.
Keeping things fun with this Spicy Cucumber Margarita...uses few ingredients, is a touch sweet, a little bit spicy, and so refreshing...perfect for spring!
Ingredients
- 4-6 cucumber slices
- 4 fresh mint leaves (optional)
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1/2 ounce orange liquor (or 2 teaspoons orange zest, see note)
- juice from 1/2 lime juice
- 1-2 jalapeño slices
- 2 teaspoons honey or sugar, using more or less to your taste
- ginger beer, for topping (optional)
Chili Salt
- 1/4 cup pink sea salt or flaky sea salt
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 pinch granulated sugar
- fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
-
1. To make the chili salt. Combine the salt, chili powder, and sugar on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in salt, then fill with ice.
2. In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add cucumbers, mint (if using), tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and honey or sugar. Muddle together, squashing everything to release the juices. Add the jalapeño slices. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute, the longer you shake, the spicier it will be.
3. Strain into your prepared glass. Top with ginger beer, if desired. Garnish as desired with cucumbers and thyme, if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Orange Liquor: if you don't have orange liquor at home, you either omit this (I often do) or use 2 teaspoons orange zest or a a splash of orange juice.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Spicy Cucumber Margarita Pitcher
Keeping things fun with this Spicy Cucumber Margarita...uses few ingredients, is a touch sweet, a little bit spicy, and so refreshing...perfect for spring!
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (optional)
- 8 ounces (1 cup) silver tequila
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) orange liquor
- juice from 2 limes (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 jalapeño sliced
- 2 tablespoons honey or sugar, using more or less to your taste
- ginger beer for topping (optional)
Chili Salt
- 1/4 cup pink sea salt or flaky sea salt
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Instructions
-
1. Combine the cucumbers, mint (if using), tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and jalapeños in a large pitcher. Stir to combine and chill for 2 hours. The longer the jalapeños sit, the spicier the drink will be. Strain out the jalapeños and discard. Return the drink to the pitcher and chill until ready to serve.
2. To make the chili salt. Combine the salt, chili powder, and sugar on a shallow plate. Rim your glasses in salt, then fill with ice.
3. When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice. Pour into glasses and top off each glass with ginger beer (if using). Garnish as desired with cucumbers and mint. Enjoy!
Our Favorite Recipes
Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon.
A good friend bought me one of your cookbooks Last summer and I’m just finally having the time to go through it, also found your blog and I cant stop reading!!! You are sooo talented!! Im making these tonight, where did you find the glasses for the margaritas? I’m also slightly obsessed with all of your cookware and serve ware!
Hi Robin! They are from Williams Sonoma! I am so glad you like this recipe! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
Oh my goodness, this sounds so delicious, and I am absolutely loving the gorgeous rim on the glass. Chipotle chili powder is one of my all-time favorite spices, and it’s so brilliant to combine it with the sea salt. Beautiful and tasty, to be sure!
Thank you so much Monica! I am so happy to hear that! xTieghan
I could use a margarita right now & this looks awesome. Thanks for another great recipe.
Thank you so much Sheenam! xTieghan
Can you share where you got those glasses?
Hi Tami! They are from Williams Sonoma! xTieghan
Just made this, we were having margaritas anyway (what else is there to do in lockdown!), but this recipe is delicious. Thanks for brightening up our evening x
Love it haha! Thank you so much Lauren! xTieghan
Delicious as always. Love all your recipes!
I skipped the honey in this. The triple Sec made it sweet enough for me. Yum!
Thank you so much Liz! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
So delicious! Will be a summer staple drink.
Thank you so much Melissa! xTieghan
So delicious! Thanks for a yummy recipe.
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed this! xTieghan
Sounds amazing! Would vodka work as well? We are out of tequila!
Hi Ashley! Yes, that will work great! I hope you love this! xTieghan
Omg!!! Can’t wait to try these! Tonight we defrosted my hubby’s pasta sauce for a quick and easy spaghetti dinner for us and the kids. Now it’s time for some Ozark!! Love your cookbooks and all the recipes you post! ❤️
I hope you love these Traci! Thank you so much! xTieghan
The weather is warming up and this cocktail looks PERFECT to sit on the lawn with, enjoying the sunshine, and social distancing! Fab xx
That sounds like the perfect day during this quarantine! I hope you love this margarita Bry! xTieghan
It sounds interesting. Thank you for the recipe, gotta try this very soon.
I hope you do! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Loved this recipe! It was perfect for taco Tuesday. Will definitely be making them again!
Thank you so much Alysha! I am so glad you enjoyed this one! xTieghan
This recipe sounds delicious. I cannot find fresh jalapeños. Any suggested substitutions?
Hi Alison! I am so glad you like this! You could simply omit the jalapeños or use a pinch of cayenne to get that spice! But please be careful, it gets spicy quick! I hope you love these! xTieghan
Ok I was a little skeptical at first, but went for it because I was in the mood for a refreshing cocktail. And WOW! I think this is going to be my signature drink for this summer. So good!
I am so glad you tried this and it turned out so well for you Alaysia! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Such an awesome margarita. I had cucumbers and jalapeños in a produce box and this was the perfect way to use them!
Perfect!! I hope you love these margaritas Katie!! xTieghan
I’ve made these twice now. So refreshing and yummy. Even on a rainy evening. Thank you!
Thank you so much Deanne! xTieghan
This looks delicious! I was obsessed with a spicy cucumber margarita from a restaurant that has since closed so I’m excited to try to recreate it! Any tequila recommendations?
Hi Adriana,
I would use your favorite tequila, I like Casamigos! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This is a great drink for summer. Love it. Plus we use mezcal and it gives it a great smoky flavor.
Yes!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you, Tracy! Thank you! xTieghan
I am making these for a bbq tomorrow. I am going to borrow an idea from my favorite New Mexican restaurant (I live in NM), and dip the rim in honey before I dip in the chili salt that I will mix with finely crushed pecans. It’s my favorite! Thank you soo much for sharing this!
Thank toy Kristn! I hope these turn out amazing for you! Thank you so much! xTieghan
May I know where you got the glass you used for your margarita? Thanks for all your recipes!
Hey Jen,
Here is the link for the glass:
https://food52.com/shop/products/3974-stackable-bodega-glasses-set-of-12
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hands down one of the best margaritas I’ve had! Awesome recipe, will definitely be making again soon!!
Hey Annie,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
Great margarita to add to the rotation! I used a bit more jalapeño because I like heat, and the cucumber provides a refreshing quality to balance the spice. I used a splash of OJ instead of sugar or honey, and omitted the optional ginger beer as I prefer a class margarita (read: less sweet and stronger). Another winner from Halfbaked harvest!
Hey Kerry,
I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for giving it a try. Have a great week! xTieghan