After over a decade of creating home-crafted cocktails, I like to keep my eyes on cocktail trends. In the last few years, spicy margaritas have become all the rage, making a sweeping appearance on social media everywhere! But one thing all those recipes are lacking is a special kick in the tequila. This jalapeño infused tequila recipe is a custom-made way to take your spicy margaritas up a level!
Whether you’re into spicy drinks or not, this tequila infusion is sure to liven up your at-home cocktail nights. If you prefer your jalapeño cocktails to be on the mild side, be sure to check out my recipe for NOT spicy jalapeño margaritas! If you're looking for more alcohol infusions, take a look at this strawberry infused tequila or this watermelon infused tequila!
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💕 why you'll love this jalapeño infused tequila recipe
🌱 fresh, peppery flavor. This tequila uses fresh jalapeños for maximum flavor! It's great to enjoy in the summertime when you can find fresh, local peppers!
♻️ versatile. You can customize this jalapeño tequila to your liking. You can make it mild or spicy, depending on your preference! You can even roast or smoke jalapeños for this recipe!
⏱️ simple to make. Making your own infused liquors is so easy to do! All it takes is a little time for the infusions to come together, but this is one of the easiest ways to up your at-home cocktail game!
🛒 ingredients
- jalapeño pepper - use a fresh jalapeño for this recipe. Do not use canned or jarred jalapeños because they are stored in brine or juices that will impact the final recipe's flavor.
- tequila - Blanco tequila, also called silver tequila, works best in this recipe because it is a blank flavor canvas. Aged tequila like añejo or gold tequila will impact this recipe's flavor.
See the recipe card for the exact quantities used.
🍹 All about tequila
- blanco - also called silver tequila. It is bottled shortly after distilling but can be aged for up to two months. It can be the most assertive in flavor, which is why you often see shots of it paired with salt and lime. But there’s another reason: this tequila partners beautifully with citrus flavors. Select blanco tequila when you will be making citrus-forward cocktails like margaritas and palomas.
- reposado - also called gold tequila. This type of tequila has been aged for at least two months and up to a year. It is typically aged in oak barrels, which imparts a wonderful flavor ranging from vanilla to spices. Reposado tequila works well in drinks like elevated margaritas, mules, old fashioneds, or French 75s. You can also enjoy this tequila neat to really taste the full flavor profile.
- añejo - also called aged tequila. It is aged for over a year, and up to three years. Typically it is aged in oak barrels, and it has a wonderfully smooth flavor that can range from slightly floral to caramel ad vanilla. You can use this tequila in cocktails, but because this tequila is so special in flavor, it is usually enjoyed neat from a special glass made just for sipping tequila.
🍳 instructions
The best part about this recipe is that you can make it as spicy or as mild as you want. All you’ll need is one single jalapeño, a canning jar (or another container, preferably glass), and some silver tequila.
Step 1: Slice your jalapeño peppers and remove the inner membranes and seeds. Make sure to wash your hands after you handle the peppers!
Step 2: Add your pepper slices to an empty mason jar or other glass container.
Step 3: Pour your silver tequila into the mason jar on top of the pepper slices, and filling to the top of the jar.
Step 4: Add a tight-fitting lid to your mason jar and allow the mix to infuse. If you removed the inner membranes and seeds, you can infuse your tequila longer to really impart the pepper's flavor.
💡 tips and tricks for getting it right
🍽️ Serving Tips - use this tequila in any of your favorite tequila-based cocktails, like margaritas or even pepper palomas! You can also serve it simple with sparkling water or over ice.
ℹ️ Troubleshooting Tips - When slicing peppers, be sure to either wear gloves or wash your hands thoroughly afterward. The peppers can leave traces of spice on your hands, and there is nothing worse than touching your face with hands that have just handled peppers! 🥵
⚖️ Scaling Tips - This recipe is easy to double or triple. Just use more peppers and a larger mason jar!
🔆 Top Tip:
People think that the seeds are what makes peppers spicy, but it’s actually those inner ridges, or the membrane, that bring the heat.
When you’re ready to prepare this infusion, you simply need to decide how spicy you want your tequila to be. If you want super spicy jalapeño infused tequila, just remove the stem and slice the pepper in half, then soak the pepper in tequila for up to 24 hours. Anything longer will yield a pretty potent punch.
🎛️ variations
Feeling like a rebel?! Feel free to stray from the recipe card using these variations, or leave me a comment with your own!
- roasted- give your peppers a quick roast over the grill or in your oven for a roasted jalapeño infused tequila that would be wonderful in mezcal-based cocktails!
- spicy - leave the seeds and pepper membranes in your jalapeño for a spicy take on this tequila infusion. Just be sure to infuse it for a maximum of 24 hours--anything longer and it gets way too spicy!
- use a different alcohol - you can infuse vodka, rum, or gin to make spicy bloody marys, spicy rum-a-ritas, or jalapeno gin and tonics!
🧰 equipment needed
- glass jar with tight-fitting lid - The reason you’ll want to use a glass jar (or another glass container) for this tequila infusion is that you want to keep the flavor in the tequila. Plastic can leech other smells and flavors into the final product, but glass keeps everything locked in where it should be! My favorite jars to use are these ones by Ball Canning. The wide mouth makes it so easy to make recipes right in the jar.
- fine mesh sieve - when it's time to strain the tequila, you'll need a fine mesh sieve to do so. Make sure to use a stainless steel sieve, not aluminum. Stainless steel helps to ensure your tequila doesn't take on any metallic flavors when you strain it.
🫙 storage tips
Your finished tequila infusion is good *techinically* indefinitely. It's best to enjoy it within 3-5 months. Store your tequila in the fridge for the best flavor.
You will encounter some flavor loss after a few months, so I recommend enjoying them within 6 months for best flavor.
💬 q+a
Use tequila blanco, or a silver tequila, for this recipe.
I like to use nice tequila here, but you don’t need to go tip-top of the line. Lately, I’ve been using Camarena brand tequila for my tequila infusions. It’s of great quality at a wonderful price point!
When you remove the inner menbranes and seeds of the peppers, it's not spicy at all!
When you leave the membranes and seeds intact, it can be pretty spicy if you let it infuse longer than 8 hours.
For a more mild spice, infuse the tequila for six to eight hours. If you want zero heat, remove the seeds and ridges of the pepper, and then infuse.
Jalapeños (and other hot peppers) contain an oil called capsaicin that causes a burning sensation. In order to prevent this, you can wear disposable nitrile food-safe gloves when cutting jalapeños. If you do not wear gloves, be sure to wash your hands very well using a soap like Dawn dish detergent. Regular hand soap doesn't remove oil the way Dawn is does.
Wash your hands with a detergent like Dawn, which is made to remove oil and grease. Alternatively, you can also rub your hands with another oil, like vegetable oil or olive oil, and then wash your hands with Dawn soap.
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🍽️ recipe
If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Jalapeño Infused Tequila
Equipment
- 1 16 ounce canning jar
Ingredients
NOT SPICY Jalapeño Infused Tequila
- 1 whole jalapeño pepper
- 2 cups blanco tequila also known as silver tequila
SPICY Jalapeño Infused Tequila
- 1 whole jalapeño pepper
- 1 cup blanco tequila also known as silver tequila
Instructions
NOT Spicy Jalapeño Infused Tequila
- Remove the stem of the jalapeño and slice it in half.
- Carefully slice the inner pepper ribs and membranes out of the pepper, including the seeds.
- Let the infusion marinate for 8 - 24 hours, depending on the level of flavor you prefer. Since you removed the membranes and seeds, the tequila won't get spicy!
- Strain the jalapeño from the infusion, and use in any margarita recipe you like!
SPICY Jalepeño Infused Tequila
- Remove the stem of the jalapeño and slice it in half.
- Place the whole jalapeño into a 16-ounce canning jar, and fill to the brim with silver tequila.
- Let the infusion marinate for 6 - 24 hours, depending on the level of heat you prefer. Infusing longer than 24 hours will make a tequila infusion that is super spicy.
- Strain the jalapeño from the infusion, and use in any margarita recipe you like!
Notes
Nutrition
🧯 food safety tips
Food safety is an important ingredient in any recipe for success! Here are some tips to keep you safe in the kitchen!
- Always enjoy alcohol responsibly, and never give alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. For more information about responsible alcohol consumption, click here.
- Use caution when handling hot peppers as they contain capsaicin oil. This oil can burn your hands, especially if you have sensitive skin. Use nitrile food-safe gloves to handle peppers if you can. Otherwise, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with Dawn dish detergent.
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