This homemade Spicy Jalapeño Infused Tequila recipe is a concoction with a kick. Made with fresh jalapeño peppers, this spirit — your choice of tequila or mezcal — will bring the heat to all your margaritas and palomas, and help you say goodbye to summer!
Whenever I see spicy drinks on a cocktail menu, I have to order them.
Cayenne on the rim, hot sauce, horseradish, jalapeño-infused tequila… I want it all.
But this hasn’t always been a quirk of mine. Just the other day I was chatting with a friend about how I had to teach myself to like spicy foods.
My friends used to order the most amazing buffalo chicken wings at a bar we frequented, but they were too spicy for me — at first.
The first time I ordered it, I loved it, but it was too much all at once. So I forced myself to order it every time, until it became palatable.
And now? I can eat some spicy foods. I’m not a 24-types-of-hot-sauce-in-my-fridge kind of person, but I do enjoy a little kick here and there.
Spicy cocktails don’t have to be enjoyed only in restaurants and bars, though! You can make them at home by infusing spirits with peppers.
Just like we made homemade spiced rum and homemade Irish cream liqueur, you can make this homemade spicy jalapeño infused tequila recipe and enjoy the spicy margaritas of your dreams.
All you need are some jalapeño peppers and tequila to soak together, and a mason jar or bottle to make it happen.
To make it, thinly slice the jalapeños and discard the seeds if you desire a milder end product.
Then soak them in tequila for about a day. They might lose their rich, green color — this is a-okay and totally normal, though not as pretty.
Remove the peppers, and you’ve got a spicy spirit worthy of the best cocktail bar in town.
Now you’re ready to throw it in a drink like this mango margarita or this watermelon paloma, or even in cooking, like this margarita grilled chicken.
And here are 20 more of the best margarita recipes you can try it in!
Bring on the fire!
What kind of tequila should I use?
Blanco (or silver) tequila is going to be your best bet because it is clear and colorless — a perfect blank slate.
If you prefer an aged taste, try a reposado, which is aged in oak barrels for between two months and one year.
Anejo tequila is aged over a year, and it’s meant to be sipped straight like a fine whiskey or wine, and purists would tell you not to infuse it. But me? I say be creative! You do you.
Still not sure? I have just the tequila guide for you!
Can you use other spirits?
Of course! Mezcal would be a great, smokier alternative to tequila.
Rum and vodka make great bases for infusions, too!
Can you use other peppers?
Sure! Jalapeños are milder, but if habaneros, poblanos or even ghost peppers strike your fancy, go wild and experiment!
But be sure to warn anyone you’re serving the tequila to in case they’re sensitive to spice.
How do you make it more spicy?
The amount of peppers and time both play a key role in this jalapeño infused tequila recipe.
More peppers — especially if you include the seeds — equals more spice. More time infusing means more of the spicy flavors can be absorbed into the tequila.
If you want more spice, use another half or whole pepper and/or infuse the tequila for an extra day or two.
Feel free to taste-test it with a spoon during the infusion process so you know for sure!
How do you make it less spicy?
There are three ways you can make your jalapeño tequila less spicy from the get-go:
- Use a milder pepper.
- Use less pepper slices.
- Infuse for less time.
But if you still wind up with a too-spicy tequila, you can dilute it by mixing it with a little more regular, un-infused tequila.
I hope you enjoy this jalapeño infused tequila recipe!
Comment below with what you use it in so I can try your spicy concoctions. // susannah
Jalapeño Infused Tequila Recipe
This homemade Spicy Jalapeño Infused Tequila Recipe is a concoction with a kick. Made with fresh jalapeño peppers, this spirit — your choice of tequila or mezcal — will bring the heat to all your margaritas and palomas, and help you say goodbye to summer!
Ingredients
- 1 jalapeño
- 2 cups blanco tequila or mezcal
Instructions
- Thinly slice the jalapeño. (Remove the seeds if you prefer less spice.)
- Place jalapeños in the bottom of a 16-ounce mason jar. Top with tequila and cover with lid. Let sit 1-2 days. (The longer it sits, the spicier it gets.)
- Remove jalapeño slices with a slotted spoon or strainer, and store in an airtight container.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 91Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Greg Zyn says
This spicy tequila drink is impressive, and I always enjoy drinking this with my friends. I hope that you can provide us with more details about different tequila drinks soon because I’d appreciate that a lot. Cheers!
Susannah says
So glad you enjoyed this one, Greg! There will definitely be more tequila drinks soon.
June robbs says
I used one jalapeño (home grown in my garden) sliced thin and one cup Alteno silver tequilla into mason jar. It has been infusing for several days now. I plan to make the margarita on Friday. Please tell me measurements for the perfect marg. Thanks. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Susannah says
Hey June! I am so glad to hear you are trying this with a homegrown pepper from your garden! You might try this recipe for a spicy blackberry margarita, but here also is a classic lime margarita you can try! Hope you enjoy them!