This Jalapeño Mezcal Margarita is the perfect combination of spicy, sour, salty, smoky & sweet and is a total treat for your taste buds! It's the perfect drink to whip up this New Year's eve, or any time of the year!
Watch how to make this delicious Jalapeño mezcal margarita here.
Flavors in this jalapeño mezcal margarita
This margarita is one of my favorite cocktails ever! I love a good spicy & sweet combination and this one hits all the right spots.
The mezcal adds a nice depth of flavor and smokiness to this cocktail while the lime juice adds punchy sourness that pairs perfectly with the sweetness from the honey. The slightly spicy lingering flavor from the jalapenos makes you want to take another sip and the salt perfectly brings everything together.
I like to call this the 5 S cocktail because of all the flavor spots it hits! Spicy, salty, sour, sweet and smoky! 🥰
Mezcal or tequila
I love the smoky depth of flavor that mezcal adds to this cocktail. It also pairs really well with the sweet and sour flavors in this recipe.
If you’re not familiar with mezcal, it is an agave-based liquor from Mexico, like tequila. Mezcal gets its smoky flavor from the earthen pits that the agave is cooked in lined with lava rocks, wood and charcoal before being distilled in clay pots.
If you don't have mezcal, you can also definitely make this with Tequila. Just replace mezcal with the same amount of your favorite tequila in this recipe.
If you don't drink alcohol, you can definitely make this recipe without the alcohol and it will still be just as delicious!
Chili lime salt rim
I love serving this jalapeño mezcal margarita in glasses with a chili lime salt rim. The chili lime seasoning adds an extra hit of flavor with each mouthful, adding to the umami experience. This is my favorite type of chili lime seasoning to use in this recipe.
If you can't find this seasoning, you could also use a mix of coarse salt and mild chili powder for the rim.
Watch how to make this delicious Jalapeño mezcal margarita here.
More cocktails to try!
Jalapeño mezcal margarita
Equipment
Ingredients
For the margarita
- 1 large jalapeño
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar (adjust as per your taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups ice
- ¼ cup mezcal or tequila
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
For the chili lime salt rim
- 1 tablespoon chili lime seasoning
- 1 wedge lime
Instructions
For the chili lime salt rim
- Run a wedge of lime around the rim of each glass. Spread the chili lime seasoning on a plate and invert each glass onto the plate so the rim gets coated with the chili lime seasoning.
For the margarita
- Remove most of the seeds and membrane of the jalapeno and add it into a cocktail shaker along with the honey. Muddle it using a muddler or pestle until it breaks down.
- Now fill the shaker with ice and add in the salt, mezcal/tequila, orange juice and lime juice. Close the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
- Pour the margarita into the prepared glasses filled with more ice and serve. Garnish with lime slices and/or jalapeno slices if desired.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition
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Wow! I made this recipe for New Year's and it was such a hit! Everyone loved it! It's not too spicy or sweet, so flavorful and well balanced. Definitely going to make this whenever I have company over!
Yay! So happy to hear that this recipe was a hit with your guests!