Sometimes, a cocktail needs some firin' up. Turn up the heat with a skinny margarita that has half the calories of your favorite tequila cocktail. The spicy skinny margarita adds the firey punch to a drink while leaving the skinny part of the cocktail untouched.
How to Make a Spicy Skinny Margarita
Jalapeños are the spicy secret behind this margarita. The seeds contain the most heat, so you can control heat levels by how many seeds you let in.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and tajin for rim
- 1-2 jalapeño coins
- 1¾ ounces silver tequila
- 1¼ ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ ounce agave nectar
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of a rocks glass with the lime wedge.
- With the tajin on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the tajin to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle jalapeño coins and splash of tequila.
- Add ice, remaining tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Just because it's a skinny margarita doesn't mean you have to skip out on the tasty goodness. Opt for the 1800 coconut tequila that still keeps the sugar at bay but has a hint of sweetness to tone down the spice.
Spicy Skinny Margarita Substitutions
- Consider making a jalapeño simple syrup, using just a quarter-ounce.
- Infuse tequila with jalapeños for a spicy touch and no added sugar or calories.
- Skip the agave nectar and orange juice and use orange liqueur instead.
- Use only a single jalapeño coin for a slightly spicy skinny margarita. Increase it to 4 or 5 for a truly spicy experience.
- A splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness to the cocktail without any sweetness.
Related: 9 Spicy Tequila Cocktails That Sizzle With Every Sip
7 Simple Garnishes to Try
While a jalapeño coin is a typical spicy skinny margarita garnish, as it quickly identifies this drink as spicy, there are plenty of other options.
- Skip the tajin rim or only use a small portion of the rim. A salt rim can be used instead, but skip the sugar rim altogether in a skinny spicy margarita.
- Use chili powder and paprika separately or in combination instead of tajin for the rim.
- Add a lime wedge, wheel, or slice for an extra touch of sour citrus.
- A lemon wedge, wheel, or slice adds a bright garnish touch, not only visually but flavor and scent as well.
- Using an orange, similar to a lemon as mentioned, adds a juicier, sweeter detail without any added sugar or calories.
- A citrus peel of any type, primarily when expressed over the drink or along the rim, adds more flavor and doubles as a garnish.
- Dehydrated citrus wheels offer an added visual experience without altering the flavor of the cocktail.
Slim and Spicy
When you're searching for heat but don't want added calories, the spicy skinny margarita boldly delivers. Don't let the clear color fool you; the skinny spicy margarita packs a spicy kick of flavor for a few ingredients and the added benefit of minimal sugar and calories.
