Summer Cocktail: Spicy Mango Jalapeño Margarita


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mango jalapeno margarita recipe from blogger Stephanie Ziajka on Diary of a Debutante

If you’re ever having trouble selecting a signature cocktail for an event, do yourself a favor and go with a margarita. When they’re made well, even the world’s biggest tequila haters will want a second round– and I’m the proof. Kyle and I spent an incredible weekend with his mom in Rhode Island, and before we could even set our bags down in their Narragansett beach condo, we were each handed a cilantro-lime mango jalapeno margarita.

Now, I wouldn’t call myself the world’s biggest tequila hater per se. I just really really really don’t like the stuff, so I politely accepted a drink in the hopes that I could slip it to Kyle without her noticing. I took one small sip, waited for my gag reflex to kick, and then proceeded to down the entire mason jar in under ten minutes. The cilantro-lime-mango-jalapeno combo is the perfect mix of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, and I love that you can turn up the heat (or tone it down) with the amount of jalapeno slices you use. 

Deb was kind enough to share her incredible mango jalapeno recipe with us, so I figured it’s only fair to spread the wealth and share it with y’all, too. I personally guarantee that it’ll be one of the most incredible things you’ll taste all season. Keep reading for the world’s most refreshing jalapeno margarita recipe!

Mango Jalapeno Margaritas

Ingredients for the best jalapeno margarita recipe by blogger Stephanie Ziajka on Diary of a Debutante

This mango jalapeno margarita packs a big punch– and there are two reasons why. First of all, the jalapeno slices give it a big kick. Second, there’s a 1:1 alcohol-to-juice ratio, although it doesn’t taste particularly boozy.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make one 6oz mango jalapeno margarita cocktail–

  • 2oz mango nectar– Nectar is a little harder to find than normal juice, but trust me, it’s worth it. I personally love Goya’s mango nectar!
  • 1oz tequila– I prefer blanco tequila, but just about any tequila will work!
  • 1oz mezcal– I know, I know. A lot of people think tequila is mezcal (or mezcal is tequila or whatever). I promise you that mezcal’s unique smoky flavor works so well in this recipe. If you don’t like or have mezcal on hand, use regular blanco tequila instead.
  • 1oz fresh lime juice (equivalent to the juice from one small lime)– If you don’t have fresh limes, store-bought lime juice is a great alternative! It doesn’t taste quite as refreshing (at least not to me), but it’s so convenient to have on hand. 
  • 1oz orange liqueur– I normally use Cointreau, but Grand Marnier is just as tasty. I’ve also tried this recipe using Triple Sec, although it wasn’t my favorite.
  • 4-5 sprigs cilantro
  • 1-2 jalapeño slices– I cut mine into rounds about 1/4-inch thick. 
  • Fresh diced mango (optional)– If you’ve got fresh mango lying around, I highly recommend throwing a small handful into the cocktail mixer. It adds a little extra sweetness and serves as a delicious little treat once the glass is empty!
  • Pinch of Tajin seasoning– Salt will work, too, but the Tajin seasoning gives this cocktail the perfect final kick! It does have quite a bit of sodium in it, though, so I personally prefer the low sodium version. It’s just as tasty!
  • Ice

Quick note- Because of the fresh ingredients, this margarita is definitely best shaken. Still, it can be batched easily by first muddling the jalapeno and cilantro in the bottom of a pitcher, adding in all the ingredients, and stirring.

Mango Jalapeno Margarita Recipe

Blogger Stephanie Ziajka shares how to make a spicy mango margarita on Diary of a Debutante

If you like cocktail rims, start by sprinkling some Tajin seasoning on small plate. Use a lime slice or piece of mango  to wet the rim of a mason jar (or whatever margarita cocktail glass you prefer) and dip it into the seasoning to coat. Add in about 1/2 cup of ice.

Combine blanco tequila, mezcal, mango nectar, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, cilantro, jalapeno slices, and a sprinkling of Tajin seasoning in a cocktail mixer. Add in another 1/2 cup of ice and then shake well. 

This next part’s up to you. I personally like the taste and texture of the shaken cilantro leaves and jalapeno seeds, so I pour the drink directly into my glass and enjoy it as is. If you’re pickier about solids in your drink (or if you’re worried about the jalapeno seeds), pour the mango jalapeno margarita through a fine mesh strainer into your prepared glass.

Give your cocktail a quick taste. If it’s too sweet, add in more tequila. If it’s too strong, add in more mango nectar. You really can’t go wrong with these flavors, so keep tweaking the recipe until you find the perfect blend of sweet/spicy/sour/salty for you!

spicy jalapeno margarita recipe from blogger Stephanie Ziajka on Diary of a Debutante

Finally, garnish your drinks with fresh lime slices and leftover sprigs of cilantro. You can also sprinkle some extra Tajin seasoning on top for an extra kick. Serve chilled– and enjoy!

Cocktail Substitutions and Additions

One of my favorite things about this mango jalapeno margarita recipe is that it’s virtually impossible to mess up. The flavors just compliment each other so well that it’s easy to customize based on your personal tastes.

That being said, here are some successful substitutions I’ve made in the past–

  • Mango juice– Most mango nectar contains quite a bit of added sweetener and water (it acts more like a makeshift margarita mix than anything else), so real mango juice is technically a healthier option. You can sub mango juice for mango nectar in equal portions.
  • Tequila (for mezcal)– Mezcal’s unique smoky flavor works so well in this recipe, and I *really* don’t recommend leaving it out! Still, if you don’t like or have mezcal on hand, you can easily replace it with blanco tequila.
  • Store-bought lime juice– If you don’t have any limes, store-bought lime juice is a great alternative! It doesn’t taste quite as refreshing (at least not to me), but it’s so convenient to have on hand. 
  • Low sodium Tajin seasoning– If you’d prefer a lower sodium option, Tajin makes a low sodium seasoning that’s just as flavorful.

And here’s a very worthy addition to consider–

  • Fresh diced mango– If you’ve got fresh mango lying around, I highly recommend throwing a small handful into the cocktail mixer. It adds a little extra sweetness and serves as a delicious little treat once the glass is empty!

Blogger Stephanie Ziajka shares a mango jalapeno margarita recipe on Diary of a Debutante

Cilantro Lime Mango Jalapeno Margarita Recipe by Diary of a Debutante

Spicy Mango Jalapeno Margarita

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This spicy mango jalapeno margarita is the perfect combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy! You can turn up the heat with Tajin seasoning and a few extra slices of jalapeno, too.

Ingredients

  • 2oz mango nectar
  • 1oz tequila
  • 1oz mezcal
  • 1oz fresh lime juice
  • 1oz orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
  • 4-5 sprigs fresh cilantro
  • 1-2 jalapeño slices, cut in 1/4-inch rounds
  • Dash of Tajin seasoning
  • Ice

Instructions

    1. If you like cocktail rims, sprinkle some Tajin seasoning on small plate. Use a lime slice or piece of fresh mango to wet the rim of a mason jar (or whatever margarita cocktail glass you prefer) and dip it into the Tajin seasoning to coat. Add 1/2 cup of ice to the prepared margarita glass.
    2. Combine tequila, mezcal, mango nectar, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, cilantro sprigs, jalapeno slices, a dash of Tajin seasoning, and 1/2 cup of ice in a cocktail mixer. Shake well. 
    3. Using a fine mesh strainer to catch the solids, pour the cocktail into your prepared glass filled with ice-- or skip the strainer and pour the cocktail (muddled cilantro and jalapeno slices included) directly into the glass.
    4. Garnish your mango jalapeno margarita with fresh lime slices and leftover sprigs of cilantro. You can also sprinkle one last dash of Tajin seasoning on top for an extra kick. Serve chilled-- and enjoy!

Notes

I personally like the taste and texture of the muddled cilantro leaves and jalapeno seeds, so I pour the drink directly into my glass and enjoy it as is. I highly recommend trying it, but please be wary of the jalapeno seeds. If you get a hot one, you may need something cold and refreshing nearby!

One of my favorite things about this mango jalapeno margarita recipe is that it's virtually impossible to mess up. The flavors just compliment each other so well that it's easy to customize based on your personal tastes. That being said, if it’s too sweet, I recommend adding in more tequila and jalapeno slices. If it’s too strong or too hot, add in more mango nectar or fresh diced mango. If it's not tart enough, add in more lime juice. Easy fixes all around.

Because of the fresh ingredients, this margarita is definitely best shaken. Still, it can be batched easily by first muddling the jalapeno and cilantro in the bottom of a pitcher, adding in all the ingredients, and stirring.

Substitutions

  • Mango juice- Most mango nectar contains quite a bit of added sweetener and water (it acts more like a makeshift margarita mix than anything else), so real mango juice is technically a healthier option. You can sub mango juice for mango nectar in equal portions.
  • Tequila (for mezcal)- Mezcal’s unique smoky flavor works so well in this recipe, and I *really* don't recommend leaving it out! Still, if you don’t like or have mezcal on hand, you can easily replace it with blanco tequila.
  • Store-bought lime juice- If you don’t have any limes, store-bought lime juice is a great alternative! It doesn’t taste quite as refreshing (at least not to me), but it’s so convenient to have on hand. 
  • Low sodium Tajin seasoning- If you'd like a lower sodium option, Tajin actually makes a reduced sodium seasoning that's just as spicy and flavorful.

Additions

  • Fresh diced mango- If you’ve got fresh mango lying around, I highly recommend throwing a small handful into the cocktail mixer. It adds a little extra sweetness and serves as a delicious little treat once the glass is empty!


*This recipe was modified on July 30, 2022 to enhance flavor and provide additional recipe notes.

Nutrition Information
Yield 1Serving Size 6oz
Amount Per ServingCalories 232Total Fat .1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 211mgCarbohydrates 10.9gFiber .7gSugar 8.2gProtein .5g

Nutritional information isn't always accurate and can vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to discrepancies among brands, precision of measurements, and freshness of ingredients.

More Refreshing Summer Cocktails to Try

If you want more yummy and refreshing summer cocktail recipes to try, here are a few I think you’ll love just as much as this one–

  • Strawberry FroseThis refreshing pink cocktail is perfect for spring and summer parties. It can be made up to a week in advance, too! Just make sure you budget enough time for the wine and strawberry frose mixture to freeze– the rest of the recipe takes less than 15 minutes!
  • Skinny Watermelon MargaritasMade with fresh watermelon juice, lime juice, and silver tequila, these skinny watermelon margaritas are ultra refreshing and perfect for summer parties. Serve them in a pitcher or DIY watermelon keg and garnish with festive watermelon stars!
  • Sparkling Citrus PunchLemonade ice cubes keep this refreshing, big-batch sparkling cocktail cool without diluting it!

 


 

Anyways, that’s all I’ve got for you today! Thanks so much for reading, y’all– and cheers!!

Also, as always, please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any problems with this mango jalapeno margarita recipe or any of my others. I love hearing from you guys, and I’m happy to help!

*This recipe was modified on July 30, 2022 to enhance flavor and provide additional recipe notes.

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