Spicy Margaritas

I try to keep this fact on the down-low, but I really, really like tequila! It’s probably my favorite liquor. Especially in a SPICY Margarita!

Cheers!

If there is a spicy margarita on a menu, I will order it 9 out of 10 times! I just love the sweet and spicy contrast and the extra kick you get from the pepper. So I decided to infuse my own tequila and make Spicy Margaritas at home.

See the pepper floating in the tequila?!

Simply slice a hot pepper in half, and add it to the tequila. Let it sit at least 24 hours, or more for more intense spice. I let mine sit for just over 24 hours, but next time I will definitely let it sit for longer. The spice was there, but it was subtle. Like most of my kitchen experiments, I’m marking this one a work in progress.

Spicy Margarita

(Makes 4 drinks)

Ingredients

Ingredients

1 cup spicy tequila**

1/2 cup Grand Marnier, or other orange flavored liqueur

2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

3 Tablespoons Agave nectar

Kosher Salt

Method

Combine tequila, agave syrup, and juice in a cocktail shaker; fill with ice and shake well. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with second lime slice.

If you are so inclined, salt the rim of your glasses: Pour some kosher salt into a small dish. Rub 1 lime slice over half the rim of an Old Fashioned glass (if you prefer your Margarita on the rocks) or a coupe glass (if you prefer it up). Dip rim of glass into salt.

**Be sure to buy 100% agave tequila–it is well worth the extra cost to drink high quality tequila!

I have not yet mastered the technique of salting the rim of the glasses–my salt is either too fine or too coarse…

The agave nectar, gold tequila, and grand marnier gave these margaritas a lovely golden color. The spicy tequila was well balanced by the tangy lime and subtle sweetness from the agave nectar.

Served with a fish taco and kale salad (for me), or a burrito (for my husband). These margaritas were a lovely cocktail on a summer evening.