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When I’m craving something refreshing with a little extra attitude, I’ll whip up a cilantro jalapeño margarita. This cocktail brings together fresh lime, tequila, and orange liqueur, then adds bold cilantro and a hit of jalapeño for a twist on the usual margarita.

The flavors kind of play off each other in a way that’s way more interesting than a standard cocktail. It’s a fun change when you want something that stands out.

I’ll walk you through how I make this drink at home with just a handful of ingredients. It’s quick, and you can easily turn up (or down) the heat to suit your mood.

If you like experimenting with flavors, this one’s probably worth a shot at your next get-together.

Cilantro Jalapeño Margarita Cocktail Recipe

I turn to this margarita whenever I’m looking for a drink that’s fresh but packs a spicy punch. The secret’s in muddling real cilantro and tossing in jalapeño for that kick.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Cocktail shaker

Muddler
Cutting Board
Knife

Citrus juicer
Measuring jigger
Fine strainer

Glass for serving
Small plate (for salting rim)

Ingredients

Fresh cilantro Small handful about 8 leaves

Jalapeño 2-3 thin slices
Blanco tequila 2 ounces
Fresh lime juice 1 ounce

Orange liqueur 1/2 ounce
Simple syrup 1/2 ounce
Salt for rim As needed

Lime wedge 1 for garnish
Ice 1 cup or as needed

Instructions

First, I run a lime wedge around the rim of my glass. Then I dip the edge into salt on a plate to cover the rim.

In the shaker, I toss in the cilantro leaves and jalapeño slices. I muddle them pretty well to get all those flavors out.
After that, I pour in the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and a bunch of ice.
I close up the shaker and give it a good shake for at least 20 seconds. It chills everything down and mixes the flavors up nicely.

Using a fine strainer, I pour the drink into the salted glass filled with fresh ice.
Last, I’ll add a lime wedge or maybe an extra jalapeño slice for garnish—depends on my mood.

Notes

If I’m not in the mood for too much heat, I’ll take the seeds out of the jalapeño before muddling. Want more spice? Just throw in another slice.

For guests who like it sweeter, I bump up the simple syrup by a little—maybe a quarter ounce. I always go for fresh lime juice instead of bottled; it just tastes brighter.

If I’m out of orange liqueur, triple sec does the trick, but I use a bit less since it’s usually sweeter. I make these right before serving because fresh herbs can lose their punch if they sit in the alcohol too long.

And watch the salt on the rim—too much can take over the whole drink, which is not what you want.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

First sip, and I get that bright hit of lime—super crisp and fresh. The cilantro brings in a clean, green note, kind of like the smell you get when you chop fresh herbs.

The jalapeño sneaks up with a gentle heat. It’s not overwhelming, just a nice tingle on the tongue.

The tequila comes through with its earthy vibe, tying everything together. Here’s how I’d break down the flavors:

Lime: Tangy, a little sour
Cilantro: Herbal, refreshing
Jalapeño: Spicy, but gentle

Tequila: Slightly earthy, strong

There’s a lingering herbal finish, and the spice doesn’t hang around too long. I like that.

This margarita is refreshing and has just enough heat to keep things interesting. I could honestly drink these all summer.

Substitute

When I don’t have all the ingredients for this cocktail, I just make a few easy swaps. If I run out of tequila, I’ll grab vodka or white rum instead.

The taste definitely shifts a bit—sometimes more than I expect—but honestly, the drink still comes out pretty refreshing.

For the jalapeño, I’ll reach for whatever peppers I have on hand. Serrano peppers bring more heat, while poblano peppers give it a milder kick.

If I’m not in the mood for much spice, I’ll toss in a few slices of green bell pepper.

If fresh cilantro’s missing from my fridge, I’ll use parsley or even a pinch of dried cilantro. It’s not exactly the same, but parsley keeps things light enough for me.

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Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita Cocktail Recipe