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Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita

This jalapeno watermelon margarita is your new favorite margarita. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy and made with fresh pureed watermelon and spiked with jalapenos and just a splash of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.

Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita on a serving tray.

Margaritas are always a hit on a hot summer day!

This jalapeno watermelon margarita is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a fresh spicy kick!

The best part? This recipe easily doubles and comes together in seconds to quench the thirstiest crowds.

Optionally I rimmed the glass of the margarita with habanero sea salt but kosher salt works well too.

Trust me, you’ll definitely want to serve up some of these cold and delicious jalapeno watermelon margaritas at your next summer fiesta!

Plus if you’re a big fan of fruit and heat this is the drink for you!

Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita topped with extra jalapeno.

Ingredients for jalapeno watermelon margarita

  • Pureed watermelon – Watermelon is refreshing and sweet! For this cocktail we take that fresh watermelon and puree it to create to create the perfect fruit base for our margarita.
  • Silver tequila – Crisp and clean, silver tequila is the best for this recipe.
  • Lime juice – Lime juice brings a bright and citrusy burst to our cocktail.
  • Orange liqueur – A traditional ingredient in margaritas, to give a subtle sweet orange flavor. 
  • Agave syrup – This will add a little extra sweetness. Feel free to use granulated sugar, or a sugar substitute if you’d like.
  • Jalapeño pepper – This pepper will give us a fresh spicy kick! If you don’t have jalapenos on hand you can use a serrano pepper.
Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita served with a salted rim.

How to puree watermelon

Most major grocery stores have already done most of the work for you!

In the produce section, there are pre-packaged and cubed watermelons that are ready to eat.

Take these cubes and pop them into a blender, strain, and voila! Watermelon puree!

Turn these into slushies!

Looking for a boozy way to cool down?

Trust me, it is so easy to turn these into frozen jalapeno watermelon margaritas!

Place all ingredients into a blender, add ice, and blend!

I love this option for super hot summer days.

Different types of tequila

To keep it simple, there are two different kinds of tequila: gold, and silver.

For this jalapeño watermelon margarita, I have chosen silver tequila, because it has a stronger fresher, cleaner taste.

When silver tequila is made, it is bottled immediately and is not aged at all. 

Gold tequila has more of a unique taste, and a golden color, from it having been aged in barrels. 

The flavor nuances of gold tequila would be lost in this jalapeño watermelon margarita, and I do not suggest substituting the silver tequila for gold. 

Different types of sugar

Now, for this spicy margarita I used agave syrup, but the possibilities are endless!

If you don’t have agave on hand you can use other liquid sweeteners like honey but I would likely stay away from maple syrup as I don’t love the flavor it brings to the cocktail.

You can also use granulated or super fine white sugar for a classic (and easily found in most pantries) margarita flavor.

Using brown sugar would give you more of a deep molasses flavor, and may turn the drink darker in color. 

Sugar substitutes are often a 1:1 ratio from normal white sugar, so feel free to use any variety you prefer. Some common sugar substitutes are Stevia, Splenda, monk fruit, or Truvia.

Making this a mocktail

Not a fan of tequila?

You can make this cocktail into a mockail pretty darn easy!

Leave out the tequila, add a squeeze of fresh orange to replace the orange liqueur, and follow the rest of the directions.

Storage and leftovers of spicy margarita

Lasty, you could make these jalapeño watermelon margaritas (standard, not frozen variety) ahead of time as they store quite easily in the fridge.

Just prepare in a pitcher, and store in the refrigerator for up to a day before your party!

Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita served with lime.

More margarita recipes

This jalapeno watermelon margarita is your new favorite margarita. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy and made with fresh pureed watermelon and spiked with jalapenos and just a splash of tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur. This is the spicy cocktail of your dreams.

Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita

Author: Brandy O’Neill – Nutmeg Nanny
This jalapeno watermelon margarita is your new favorite margarita. The perfect balance of sweet and spicy and made with fresh pureed watermelon and spiked with jalapenos and just a splash of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 drinks

Ingredients

  • 3 cups pureed watermelon
  • 3/4 cup tequila
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur
  • 2 tablespoons agave syrup
  • 2 jalapenos seeded and sliced
  • 2 limes thinly sliced
  • Habanero sea salt optional

Instructions

  • In a large pitcher add all the ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Gently press some of the jalapenos against the side of the pitcher to release some of their spicinesses.
  • Let the margarita chill in the fridge, stir before serving, and pour over ice.
  • Optional: rim your glasses with habanero sea salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 150mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g
Course Drinks
Cuisine Tex Mex
Keyword homemade margarita, jalapeno margarita, jalapeno watermelon margarita, spicy margarita, watermelon puree
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita pin for Pinterest.
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Kelly

Saturday 24th of June 2017

I was looking for a way to use my watermelon, and this is fantastic!! I didn't totally follow the recipe, as I never do, but it was great inspiration. I used watermelon frozen in cubes. It makes a perfect frozen margarita, and no straining needed! I also substituted mezcal for the tequila, as I alway do in my margaritas, to give it a smoky flavor. Such a fun mixture of flavors!

Ginger Wroot

Thursday 7th of July 2016

Wow, what a yum-looking cocktail, and your photographs are stunning! Pinned this, and can't wait to make this during this hot summer. By the way, this is my first time to your blog, and I find it delightful! I look forward to returning soon to find what other lovely recipes you're featuring! --Ginger http://gingerwroot.com

Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen

Wednesday 6th of July 2016

This is so beautiful! I made watermelon margs a few weeks ago. Tony thought they were too girly so I drank them all myself. Next time I'm adding jalapenos!

Erin @ Texanerin Baking

Monday 4th of July 2016

2 hour time difference? Haha. I'm sorry it's messing with your life so much! And these margaritas look so perfect. Love that you used orange liqueur!

David @ CookingChat

Friday 1st of July 2016

I haven't had a margarita in awhile, this looks like a delicious one to try. Cheers!

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