This spicy margarita recipe with DIY jalapeño simple syrup, homemade citrus margarita mix, and a delicious chili-lime rimming mixture for your glass is going to check all your tastebuds’ boxes. Make the simple syrup and margarita mix ahead of time, refrigerate them until ready to use, and then you can easily shake up a delicious, spicy margarita whenever the occasion calls for it. Organic chili-lime salt and dried jalapeño flakes are the key to these easy, delicious homemade margaritas!

1:1 Spicy Simple Syrup

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

We love using dried hot pepper flakes to make simple syrups because, unlike fresh peppers, we can consistently create the heat level we like best. Adding an optional fresh jalapeño layers the pepper flavors for a more complex syrup.

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup organic sugar
• 1 Tbsp. dried organic jalapeño flakes, or more to taste
• 1/2 tsp. Mountain Rose Herbs organic chili lime salt
• 1 fresh organic jalapeño, minced, or more to taste (optional)

Directions

1. Combine water, sugar, jalapeno flakes, and chili lime salt in a small pot with a lid.
2. Bring to a gentle boil.
3. Reduce heat to simmer, add optional minced jalapeño, and put lid back on. Simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, and cool to room temperature with lid on.
5. Strain into a sterile jar with an airtight lid. Label with name and date.
6. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month. If syrup becomes cloudy, discard it.

Pro Tips 

• 1 Tbsp. jalapeño flakes makes a mildly hot spicy syrup. Adjust heat to match your palate by increasing the amount of jalapeño flakes.
• Deseed or leave seeds in jalapeño, depending on your heat preference. Use as many as 4 jalapeños to boost the heat factor!

Citrus Margarita Mix

Makes about 5/8 cup.

Fresh citrus juice makes the best margarita mix, but organic bottled juice works great in a pinch. Just make sure to use as pure a juice as possible. The zest from the citrus adds a perfect bit of bitterness but is technically optional.

Ingredients

• Zest from 3 organic lemons and 3 organic limes (optional)
• 1/4 cup organic lime juice, freshly squeezed or bottled
• 1/4 cup organic lemon juice, freshly squeezed or bottled
• 1/4 cup organic superfine sugar

Directions

1. Combine optional zest, lime and lemon juices, and sugar in a sterile jar. Put on an airtight lid and shake jar to dissolve sugar.
2. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, shaking occasionally to remix and ensure sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Strain through a fine mesh strainer or a layer of cheesecloth into a sterile jar with an airtight lid.
4. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If juice smells or tastes off, discard it.

Pro Tip: You can make superfine sugar in a powerful blender. Just add sugar and pulse to achieve correct consistency. Don’t go too far or you’ll end up with powdered sugar.

Margarita Rimming Mixture

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup organic turbinado, Demerara, or other raw sugar
• 1/2 tsp. Mountain Rose Herbs organic chili lime salt
• 1 Tbsp. fine Himalayan pink salt or kosher salt

Directions: Thoroughly whisk together all ingredients. Set aside on a plate large enough to fit the rim of your margarita glasses.

Spicy Margarita Recipe with Jalapeño Simple Syrup and Chili Lime Salt

Makes one 6-7 oz. margarita.

Ingredients

• Lime juice for rubbing rim of glass
• Margarita rimming mixture (recipe above)
• Ice
• Spicy simple syrup (recipe above)
• Citrus margarita mix (recipe above)
• 100% agave tequila of choice
• Orange liqueur of choice 
• Lime wedge for garnish or other garnish of choice

Directions

1. Rub rim of margarita glass with lime juice. 
2. Dip in margarita rimming mixture to coat rim of glass. Set aside.
3. Put 1 1/2 cups ice in a martini shaker.
4. Add 2 oz. tequila, 2 oz. citrus margarita mix, 1 oz. spicy simple syrup, 1 oz. orange liqueur.
5. Shake vigorously for a minimum of 1 minute.
6. Strain into a margarita glass.
7. Garnish with a lime wedge or other garnish of choice.

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