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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!
Spicy Cucumber Margarita.
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 820 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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!
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.
Spicy Cucumber Margarita Pitcher
Servings: 4 drinks
Calories Per Serving: 346 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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!
Hi Tieghan, I just wanted to let you know that I love your cookbooks and recipes. I am keto because of some health problems and I take your recipes and adjust them to my diet. I did a live video on this drink and loved it. Please watch if you have time. Thank you for everything you do!! https://www.facebook.com/leslie.lawrence3/videos/988821681745165
Hi Leslie,
Thank you so much for your kind message and making so many recipes! I truly appreciate your support:) xTieghan
I can’t wait to try them! I‘d love to make them virgin. Any suggestion with what to replace the tequila?
Thanks
Hey Ines,
Just omit the tequila and add more ginger beer:) I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Made this with your crispy chicken chipotle tacos and the pairing was amazing. I’m not a huge fan of sweet drinks so used a little less than a teaspoon of honey for two cocktails and they tasted perfect. So simple and delicious!
Hi Kelsey,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner! xxTieghan
I love spicy margaritas and I haven’t tried this yet, but plan to very soon. How can I make a skinny margarita version though, as I don’t like ‘sweet’ drinks. I am thinking I should omit the sugar part, and instead of ginger beer, I would use soda water? That way it still gets the ‘fizz’ but not the sweetness. I think keeping the orange liquor, though sweet, will give it just the right hint of sweet but not dominant……any suggestions?
Thank you!!!
Hi Wendy,
Yes, I would skip the sugar/honey and then you can use sparkling water or just skip since the ginger beer is optional. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, cheers! xTieghan
This is my favourite cocktail of all time, doesn’t matter the occasion or weather. I make these at any opportunity.
Hey Philippa,
Thanks a bunch for trying out this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
Tripled the pitcher recipe and it was a huge hit!! Perfect amount of kick!! Just and FYI you forgot to list the sugar in the pitcher?
Hey Pamela,
Happy Sunday! It’s so great to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you taking the time to make it! xTieghan
do you know how long does the pitcher of margs stays good in the fridge for?
Hey Parker,
I would say up tot 48 hours. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! Cheers! xTieghan
Hello”: First time on your website and I’m loving the cocktail.
But I’m also intrigued by your first name. Do you pronounce it like Tee’ gen or otherwise? The reason I’m asking is because I’m a Reghan, pronounced Ree’ gen. And I have a sister named Megan, pronounced Mee’ gen, and a nephew Keegan, pronounced Kee’ gen.
Anyway, just curious…
Hey Reghan,
Thanks so much for following along! Yes, I also pronounce my name as Tee-gan. Please let me know if you have any other questions! 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
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
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
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
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
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
I’ve made these twice now. So refreshing and yummy. Even on a rainy evening. Thank you!
Thank you so much Deanne! 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