Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe

Name: Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup crushed ice; 2 oz fresh 100% orange juice; 2 oz lime sparkling water; 1 oz silver tequila; 3 each jalapeno slices; 1 each pineapple ring; 1 each orange wedge; dash salt

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Looking for that cocktail with some zest to it that won’t weigh you down? Then I’ve got just the recipe for you! This Spicy Skinny Margarita Recipe comes in at under 100 calories and the perfect refreshing treat to enjoy on a hot summer day or cold winter night…just because! Enjoy!

Why You Need to Make This Skinny Margarita Recipe

If you are someone who can “take the heat,” this spicy skinny margarita recipe is right up your alley! This spicy cocktail is made lighter by substituting triple sec with orange juice and kicked up a notch with freshly sliced jalapenos.

I can’t remember the first time I had a margarita but I can always remember my love for the silver tequila. There’s something about it that brings me back to college days on the beach, honeymooning in Jamaica, or vacationing in Hawaii. I hope this recipe can transport you to your favorite beach or poolside destination!

What you need to make this spicy margarita recipe:

Ingredient Tips

Use crushed ice, not whole ice cubes! This helps to create that crisp, cool refreshing drink!
Fresh, 100% orange juice is supreme. This is already a lower calorie margarita recipe since we don’t use Triple Sec, so there’s no need to buy a light OJ filled with artificial sweeteners!
Now, you can omit the jalapeños if you don’t like it super spicy, or, simply seed the jalapeño and only add 1 slice!
The pineapple ring is optional, but does help mellow out the spice and add a bit of natural sugar. If you don’t have it, feel free to skip or add in 1/4 tsp of cane sugar.
Salt is optional, but I recommend a little sprinkle on top! Who has time to “salt the rim”? Not me, but a dash on top does the trick too!

Ingredient Swaps

Orange Juice: While we love orange juice, there are some other 100% tropical juices that you may see in your grocery isle: orange peach mango, pineapple orange, or a tropical medley would be super!
Pepper(s): Maybe you decided to plant peppers other than jalapeno this year! Serrano peppers would be next up the spice list, approximately 1.5x as spicy as jalapenos, while habaneros are 35x as spicy! Feel free to give them a try but be very careful and start small!

How to Make a Skinny Margarita With Jalapeno

Start with the ice, then layer from there.
You can use a cocktail shaker, but honestly a mason jar or glass jar works just as well!
If you don’t want to have a super spicy kick, omit the seeds from the jalapeños. You also won’t have to worry about swallowing them either!
Then, viola! Shake, shake, shake! Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Recipe Notes + Expert Tips

Don’t use orange juice that is low calorie and filled with stevia (more on that here)! Saying it again because that will ruin this drink!
Be very careful when cutting your pepper and wash your hands immediately afterwards (or wear gloves and dispose immediately). Nothing dampens a great cocktail like a burning eyeball!
Do enjoy responsibly and remember to put some delicious food in your stomach before consuming alcohol! Some of our summer favorites include our BBQ Grilled Chicken and Vegan Coleslaw Recipe.
That’s it for this spicy skinny margarita recipe! It’s a cocktail, just make it (or pin for later!)

FAQs On Making This Skinny Jalapeno Margarita Recipe

Can I use a tequila other than silver tequila?

Of course! Using what you have on hand and enjoy is most important here. Silver tequila is usually unaged and will have a more distinct flavor than other varieties. Gold or reposado tequila are aged and have a smoother flavor, but would be great in this margarita as well!

What if I don’t have crushed ice?

One easy solution is to wrap some ice cubes in a thick kitchen towel with the ends held in your hand, find your closest hard and stable surface, and give the “bag” a few good whacks! You can also add ice with a little bit water in a blender and pulse until crushed ice is achieved! Just be sure to strain out any leftover water.

How can I drink alcohol with health in mind?

As per the CDC, moderate drinking means limiting intake of alcohol to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women. This is not due to body size but the variance between sexes in how alcohol is metabolized. One drink would be 1.5 ounces or a “shot” of 80-proof (40% alcohol content) distilled spirit. When it comes to alcohol, and food for that matter, be sure to choose something that is delicious and satisfying so that it can be included as part of your lifestyle and enjoyed responsibly!

How can I prepare this for a crowd?

This recipe is for one serving so feel free to multiply by as many servings as you need (just make sure you have a large enough pitcher)! Follow the same procedure, adding the ice first, following with the margarita ingredients, and giving it a few good stirs!

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