If you like heat in your drink (like, really), you’re going to love this spicy grapefruit margarita! It combines spicy serrano peppers, sweet simple syrup, tart grapefruit and lime juices, and sweet orange juice with blanco tequila. It’s super easy to make, and incredibly (but spicily) refreshing.
This recipe makes two margaritas, as I’ve found that it’s best to just build a couple of these from scratch so the flavors evenly distribute. You’re welcome to double the recipe though – there’s a “servings” portion in the recipe card below that you can adjust to fit however many servings you want to make!
Ingredients
For the Rim:
- 1 tbsp. Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp. Ancho Chili Powder
- 1 tsp. Granulated Sugar
For the Margaritas:
- 2-4 slices Serrano Pepper (or jalapeño pepper)
- 1 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup
- 4 oz. Tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 4 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 oz. Fresh Orange Juice
Ingredient Notes + FAQs
Are Serrano Peppers Spicy? Yes. Serranos are spicy … like really spices in some cases. They can be upwards of ten times as hot as a jalapeño, but usually they’re about three times as hot. Either way, with that being said, please proceed with caution! 🙂
Can I use Jalapeño Instead? YES! Absolutely. You’ll still get the heat, but it won’t be nearly as intense. Use 2-3 thin slices of jalapeños instead of the one slice of serrano if you go that route.
What Tequila should I use? For margaritas, I always recommend either tequila blanco or tequila reposado. Blanco has the least amount of “flavor”, as it typically isn’t aged in barrels (and if it is, the limit is 60 days). Reposado tequila can be aged in barrels for up to a year, so it takes on a little flavor from the barrel. Anything past that (like añejo tequila) has a flavor that will just overpower the margarita, and I don’t recommend it. Here’s a more comprehensive list of the different categories of tequilas!
I tested a few different versions of this recipe, and this ingredient combo was the winner. It’s simple, it uses 100% fresh squeezed juice, and a touch of simple syrup. Here’s how to make it:
Directions
Rim the Glasses:
- Combine the salt, ancho chili powder, and sugar together in a shallow dish. Mix to blend thoroughly.
- Run a small slice of lime over the rim of two short cocktail glasses. Dip the rims into the salt/ancho chili/sugar mix to coat them entirely. Fill the glasses halfway with ice, and set aside.
Build the Margaritas:
- Add the sliced serrano pepper and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker, and muddle together.
- Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, orange juice, and a little pinch of kosher salt to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, and secure the lid. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, then strain through a fine mesh sieve into the prepared glasses.
- Garnish with a small grapefruit or lime wedge, and serve immediately.
I usually like to add agave to my tequila-based drinks, but we are using simple syrup in this one. Why? While agave is delicious, it sometimes doesn’t blend with other liquids as well as simple syrup. The heat in this drink needs a thoroughly integrated sweetness, so simple syrup wins this battle.
However, if you’re not a sugar person and you want to use agave syrup instead of sugar, go for it! Make this yours.
On the note of simple syrup, I know it can seem intimidating if you’ve never made it before. But I swear, it is the EASIEST thing you can ever make, and having some on hand for homemade cocktails is key!
How to Make Simple Syrup
Combine one part sugar with one part hot water, and mix until dissolved. To make a small batch of simple syrup, I usually just do 1/2 cup of each. To make it, you can go one of two ways:
- Combine both in a glass jar, seal with a lid, and shake to combine.
- Combine both in a small saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the sugar is dissolved into the water. (There is no reason to bring it to a boil, just heat it through until the sugar dissolves).
It doesn’t get much easier than that! Using 1/2 cup of both water and sugar will make about four ounces of simple syrup, so enough to make a couple rounds of these margaritas. Feel free to double the sugar and water quantities if you want to keep some extra simple syrup on hand!
More Small Batch Margarita Recipes:
- skinny blackberry margarita
- skinny fresh lime margarita
- blueberry cilantro margarita
- grilled pineapple + jalapeno margarita
These are all perfect for enjoying on the patio with friends, or by the pool. Or on your couch, with your cats. Just really wherever your favorite place is. 🙂 Be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your margaritas! And as always, feel free to reach out to me anytime with any questions you may have. Cheers!
xx Sara
Spicy Grapefruit Margarita
Ingredients
To Make the Rim:
- 1 tbsp. Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp. Ancho Chili Powder
- 1 tsp. Granulated Sugar
for margarita ::
- 2-4 slices Serrano Pepper about 1/4" thick
- 1.5 ounces Simple Syrup
- 4 ounces Tequila Blanco or Reposado
- 4 ounces Fresh Grapefruit Juice strained
- 2 ounces Fresh Lime Juice strained
- 1 ounce Fresh Orange Juice strained
- pinch Kosher Salt
Instructions
Rime the Glasses:
- Combine the 1 tbsp. Kosher Salt, 1 tsp. Ancho Chili Powder, and 1 tsp. Granulated Sugar together in a shallow dish. Mix to blend thoroughly.
- Run a small slice of lime over the rim of two short cocktail glasses. Dip the rims into the salt/ancho chili/sugar mix to coat them entirely. Fill the glasses halfway with ice, and set aside.
Build the Margaritas:
- Muddle the 2-4 slices Serrano Pepper and 1.5 ounces Simple Syrup together in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
- Add the 4 ounces Tequila Blanco, 4 ounces Fresh Grapefruit Juice, 2 ounces Fresh Lime Juice, 1 ounce Fresh Orange Juice and a little pinch Kosher Salt to the shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, and secure the lid. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, then strain through a fine mesh sieve into the rimmed glasses.
- Garnish with a small grapefruit or lime wedge, and serve immediately.
Notes
FOR SIMPLE SYRUP: (2 different versions, same results:)
- Combine 1/2 cup each of HOT water and sugar into a glass jar, seal with a lid, and shake to combine.
- Combine 1/2 cup each of water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, and stir until the sugar is dissolved into the water.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest @aflavorjournal and on Instagram @aflavorjournal
Comments & Reviews
Wow these margaritas will be perfect for this weekend! I am loving all the different citrus flavours you have in there. Also, your photos are gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Sam! I hope you love these margs – the different citrus juices make it so refreshing and fun! 🤤
Those margaritas look delicious and refreshing! I think I may have found my new favorite drink!
Thank you, Dennis! I hope you love them as much as I do!