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This skinny spicy margarita recipe is made with fresh, real ingredients and has just the right amount of heat. It’s a lighter option, but tastes just like the original.
If you love spicy margs, try this pineapple jalapeño margarita too.
If you like a touch of spice, try another spicy cocktail we love, give this Mexican mule cocktail a try. But if you prefer a more traditional margarita, try these blood orange margaritas or cucumber margaritas.
Do you like a tropical margarita? Try these mango margaritas or this fresh pineapple margarita recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe
This is my go-to drink on the weekends. I can never say no to a spicy marg, especially when it’s lightened up with less sugar and uses real ingredient. Here’s why you’ll love it too:
- Easy to make (10 minutes or less).
- Tastes just like a restaurant classic (from my favorite place—Condado).
- Less sugar, same delicious taste.
- Perfect patio drink.
- Well-balanced thanks to lime citrus, sweet agave, and spicy jalapeno.
- Spicy Tajin rim (the best!)
What’s the Difference Between a Skinny and Regular Margarita?
A regular Margarita is higher in sugar from pre-made mixes or sweetened lime juice and orange liqueur. A Skinny Margarita uses natural sweeteners, fresh juice, and little to no orange liqueur to reduce the calorie count.
Ingredients You Need
Here are the simple ingredients for this skinny jalapeno margarita. If you make margs often, you likely have them! Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Silver tequila: also called blanco tequila.
- Fresh orange juice: Use freshly squeezed orange juice for the best results. This is to add a touch of orange you may be missing from the orange liqueur.
- Fresh lime juice: Save a slice of lime to garnish your drink.
- Sweetener: Fresh honey or agave syrup tastes so much better than the artificial sweeteners.
- Jalapeño: What’s a spicy skinny margarita without fresh jalapeños? Add more or less jalapeño slices or seeds to adjust the heat.
- Soda: Top this margarita with a little bit of light ginger beer, club soda, or lime flavored soda water.
- Tajin rim: The Tajjin adds extra spice and
Best Tequila for Margaritas
The most common type of tequila for margaritas is a silver (sometimes called blanco) tequila. I recommend using a tequila you enjoy drinking on your own. The smoother the tequila, the smoother the marg!
I always keep these brands at the ready: Tequila Ocho Plato, Tres Agaves Blanco, and Patron Silver (most affordable).
You could also try an infused tequila, especially a jalapeno infused tequila, to up the flavor in this recipe.If you don’t have silver tequila on hand, another type of tequila like Reposado or Añejo will both work as well.
How to Make a Skinny Spicy Margarita
Jump down to the recipe card for the full printable recipe.
- Make the Tajin rim: run a lime wedge around the rim and dip the glass in Tajin.
- Mix it up: Add all of the ingredients to a large mason jar or cocktail shaker. Shake it well. The longer you shake it with jalapeno, the spicier it will be!
- Pour over ice: Fill the glass with crushed ice halfway full.
- Serve and garnish: top the spicy marg with lime soda water (like LaCroix) or light ginger beer. Serve with extra jalapeno slices.
Recipe FAQs
Most skinny margaritas have the same amount of tequila has a regular one. Most call for little to no orange liqueur—which doesn’t add much more proof anyway.
Here are a few ways to add even more heat to your skinny jalapeño margarita:
1. Add more jalapeño slices to the cocktail and let it sit for a bit longer.
2. Use a jalapeño -infused tequila.
3. Rim the glass with hot honey then dip it in Tajin.
If you’re hosting for cinco de mayo, combine all of the ingredients in a large pitcher and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. This will infuse the margarita with jalapeño! Don’t add the soda at this point. Give it a good stir, prep the glasses, and top it off before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Use quality fresh ingredients and real lime and orange juice.
- Make them for a crowd by following the instructions for a pitcher of skinny spicy margaritas.
- Turn up (or down) the heat by muddling the jalapeño seeds at the bottom of the glass or deseeding the jalapeno for less spice.
- Don’t forget to garnish with more jalapeno.
Try these recipe pairings: Serve them with pork tenderloin tacos, steak nachos, salmon with mango salsa, or healthy chicken enchiladas.
More Margaritas to Try
- Blood orange margarita
- Cucumber margarita
- Pineapple jalapeño margarita
- Mango margaritas
- Frozen watermelon margarita
- Strawberry hibiscus margarita
Lighten any of these up by: using less agave or simple syrup and omitting the orange liqueur.
Skinny Spicy Margarita Recipe
Save this Recipe!
Ingredients
Skinny Spicy Margarita
- 2 ounces silver tequila (Note 1)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice (1 lime)
- 1 ounce Fresh orange juice (1/2 an orange)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar optional
- 2 jalapeño slices with or without seeds, plus more for topping
- Light ginger beer or lime club soda to top
Tajin Rim
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt or margarita salt
- 2 Tablespoons Tajin
- Lime wedge
Spicy Skinny Margarita Pitcher (serves 4)
- 1 cup silver tequila
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (4 limes)
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (2 oranges)
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1 jalapeño sliced (with or without seeds)
- Light ginger beer or lime club soda to top
Instructions
- Add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice and agave to a cocktail shaker or a glass jar with a lid, like a mason jar. Add the sliced jalapeño and a handful of ice, close the lid, and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and help the jalapeño juices release into the margarita. You can also muddle the jalapeño into the margarita if you want them spicier. All the jalapeño to sit in the liquid to infuse while you prepare the glasses.
- Add the salt and Tajin to a shallow bowl or dish. Run a lime wedge around a glass or mason jar and dip it upside down into the mixture, turning it and rolling it as needed to coat the top and part of the sides.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour the skinny spicy margarita over top. Top it off with soda water or ginger beer and garnish with fresh jalapeño slices and a lime wedge.
Notes
Video
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker or mason jar with lid
- Shallow bowl or dish for the rim
- Margarita glasses (I love mason jars!)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve been looking for a healthier spicy marg recipe and this one hit the spot – just in time for Cinco de Mayo! Thanks for this recipe! I’ll be making a double batch next time lol
You’re welcome!!