6 Spicy Margarita Mocktail Recipes
Spicy Mango Margarita Mocktail
If you're trying to have a refreshing drink on a hot summer's day, nothing beats a cool glass with a margarita in it. However, while regular margaritas are delicious and addictive, what about a spicy margarita? And, to make it even better, what about one that uses alcohol-free Tequila?
Thanks to Seir Hill's Tequila alternative Durangold, you can tickle your tastebuds by learning how to make a spicy margarita mocktail. Even better, you can mix things up and try a different spicy margarita recipe almost every day of the week!
We've compiled a list of the top six spicy margarita mocktails for your convenience, so get your shaker ready and see what kind of delicious beverages you can mix!
What is a Spicy Margarita?
A spicy margarita is virtually similar to a regular margarita, except one of the primary ingredients includes some kind of pepper or hot seasoning. The mixture of sweet, tangy, and spicy is popular in Hispanic cultures. Many candies and beverages will add a spicy kick to wake up your tongue and make the item unforgettable.
At first, you may wonder if a spicy margarita can still be refreshing, but these beverages are remarkably tasty. They are a bit of an acquired taste, but once you've had a spicy margarita, you'll likely be asking for more.
Best of all, when you use non-alcoholic Tequila like Durangold, you can get all the same sweet heat without the hangover the next morning. A spicy margarita mocktail can give you the same sensation and allow you to keep your wits. Plus, Durangold tastes better than most other spirits.
Anatomy of a Spicy Margarita
There are typically two methods for how to make a margarita spicy. First, you can add the juice of a chile, such as a jalapeno or Serrano pepper. Second, you can use spicy margarita salt so the heat scorches your tongue and the liquid cools it off.
When learning how to make these mocktails, we encourage you to experiment and mix and match ingredients to find a combination that works for you. Also, don't worry about messing with tradition. The spicy margarita only dates back to the early 2000s, so it's not like there are centuries of history behind it.
6 Spicy Margarita Mocktail Recipes
Spicy Jalapeno Margarita
If you're looking to start things off with the OG spicy margarita recipe, you'll want to use fresh jalapenos. Typically, jalapenos are a great pepper for beginners because they're spicy without being overwhelming. Plus, when using fresher peppers, you can cut down on the heat level a little bit, just in case you need to ease into the experience.
Usually, jalapeno margaritas will use agave syrup in addition to the standard ingredients. The sugar helps cut through the spiciness and delivers a more full-bodied mocktail experience.
For this recipe, you'll want to muddle the jalapenos in the glass first and then add everything else after shaking it all in a cocktail shaker. This way, you can extract the juice and give the drink a more aromatic flavor profile. Also, if you want to kick things up a notch, we recommend rubbing a jalapeno slice along the rim to use for the salt. However, if that's a bit too intense, you can use lime juice instead.
Spicy Mango Margarita
Mangos covered in chili powder are pretty common in Hispanic countries, so it makes sense to translate that treat into a spicy mango margarita recipe. Mangos are already super sweet and delicious, so adding a little spice to the mix ensures your tastebuds will get an experience they won't forget.
As with other spicy margarita recipes, this one uses Tajin instead of salt for the rim. Tajin usually works better because it wakes up your tastebuds and adds a bit of tanginess to the experience.
Some recipes will also call for grilled jalapenos instead of fresh ones. Adding some char to the outside creates a more unique flavor profile, but you don't have to do that if you're not interested. Also, since the mango already adds sweetness, you can skip the agave syrup.
Spicy Watermelon Margarita
Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer day than fresh watermelon, so you can capture that spirit with this mocktail recipe. Most versions of this beverage also use orange juice to make the mixture even smoother and juicier.
While you can use jalapenos again, we recommend going for something hotter, like habanero or ghost peppers. Since you already have a lot of mild sweetness with the watermelon and orange, you can crank up the heat a little bit without overwhelming your tastebuds. Also, some recipes include agave syrup, but that may make the whole mocktail a bit too sweet, so you can cut that out if necessary.
Spicy Cucumber Margarita
While sweet and spicy mocktails can be refreshingly delicious, some people prefer something a bit more mild. A spicy cucumber margarita is just what the doctor ordered because the freshness of the cucumber blends well with the spiciness of the jalapeno. If you're already a fan of cucumber beverages, this recipe is for you.
In this case, you'll muddle jalapeno and cucumber slices first, then mix the rest of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. You can also decide whether you want a cucumber or jalapeno slice as a garnish, depending on how hot you like it.
If you're trying to make something even milder, you can swap jalapenos for slightly less spicy peppers, such as ancho chiles or something similar. This way, you still get the heat to wake up your tastebuds, but the sensation isn't as intense. This kind of mocktail is smooth and easy to drink for any occasion.
Spicy Blood Orange Margarita
Blood oranges are already a fantastic addition to any mocktail, as they create a bolder and more refreshing flavor profile. For our money, we often swap regular orange juice with blood orange juice to make any recipe instantly more memorable.
Also, the bright coloration can make your margarita stand out even more, which is always appreciated when mixing these drinks for a party. Plus, Durangold can be enjoyed by anyone, so your batch of blood orange margaritas will be a huge hit.
Overall, this recipe uses the same ingredients as other spicy margaritas (jalapenos, agave syrup, orange liqueur), but you can swap a few other ingredients as you see fit. For example, the boldness of the blood orange may inspire you to crank up the heat or you add Tajin to the rim instead of regular salt.
Spicy Strawberry Margarita
If you're making mocktails during strawberry season, you should take advantage and use freshly-picked fruits for your glass. Muddling strawberries and jalapeno slices creates a unique and flavorful mixture, and you're sure to enjoy glass after glass, all worry-free!
Since the strawberries already add some thickness and sweetness to the mocktail, you won't need agave syrup. However, if you have an intense sweet tooth, feel free to add a dash of syrup to counterbalance the jalapeno peppers.
While spicy margaritas are a surefire hit, you can make all kinds of mocktails with Durangold from Seir Hill. The possibilities are endless!