Infusing Tequila with Jalapenos for Spicy Margaritas
Infusing Tequila with Jalapenos
Lets kickstart this with how to infuse Tequila with Jalapenos. The process itself is rather simple. Put Jalapenos in a bottle or jar with tequila, then wait. That’s it. When it’s to your liking take the Jalapenos out.
Spice and Tequila work incredibly well together because Tequila has an earthy grassy flavor with an alcohol burn, so when you add something spicy, such as Jalapenos, or peppers of any kind, those flavors cling to each other nicely.
As for how to use your Jalapeno infused tequila - you can use it for shots, or cocktails, with the most popular being a spicy margarita.
How long should you infuse tequila?
We’ve established step 1, put Jalapenos in with tequila. Now you’re probably wonder how long you should infuse tequila for.
That comes down entirely to personal preference. The longer you allow the 2 to infuse, the more spicy it will become. We covered that in the science of homemade spirits.
The best thing to do is to taste your Jalapeno tequila once ever few days whilst it’s infusing. When its too your liking, strain it out. Yet I realise people like exact dates, so here’s a general guide to how long you should infuse tequila with Jalapenos;
2-7 days: Mild Jalapeno flavor.
1-2 weeks: Clean Jalapeno flavor, pretty spicy.
2-4 weeks: Now it’s getting hot hot hot.
And that guide is specifically to do with the below recipe, because the more Jalapenos you add, the quicker it will infuse.
How long will jalapeno infused tequila last?
The beauty of this is after you’ve made jalapeno infused tequila, it will last basically forever. Tequila doesn’t expire, neither will you jalapeno tequila. Assuming you’re storing it properly (in a bottle with a closed top).
The only thing is, it will slowly start to lose it’s flavor the longer you have it. So if your jalapeno tequila is super spicy when you first strain it, a year later it might be more mild. But we’re talking a very long time. Think of how many spicy margaritas it would take for you to run out - it’s not much.
One thing you can do knowing that your spicy jalapeno infused tequila won’t expire is to do one massive batch, and strain it at different levels. So you could have a mild jalapeno tequila, a somewhat spicy one, and a very spicy one. But of course you’d need a big old jar for that.
What does jalapeno tequila taste like?
The taste of your jalapeno tequila depends on how long you infuse it for. As a guide;
1-7 days: more tequila then jalapeno
1-2 weeks: balanced, earthy, grassy
2-4 weeks: strong jalapeno flavor, spicy
Jalapeno Tequila Variations
Now after you’ve made this once, you can start getting creative and adding more flavors to the pot. Sweet flavors pair super well to balance out all those grassy notes and spice. Mint and cucumber also work well to calm the spice down. Just pop added ingredients in with your infusing jalapeno tequila and take them out when it’s to your liking.
Heres a few of my favorite jalapeno tequila variations
how to infuse tequila with jalapeño and cucumber
Jalapeno and cucumber tequila works great. Cucumber generally tastes like nothing when put up against big flavors like tequila and jalapeno. However, it works magic at making the whole thing seem fresher and taste more refreshing. Perfect for if you’re having your jalapeno and cucumber tequila mixed with soda water or tonic water.
To do this, follow the exact jalapeno infused tequila recipe below, but 2 days before straining, add half a large cucumber cut into wheels.
jalapeño lime infused tequila
Lime is another flavor that works amazing with both jalapeno and tequila. That sweet citrus really takes this to another level.
To do this, follow the below jalapeno tequila recipe but 3 days before straining, peel 1 whole lime then cut into 1 cm chunks. Add both the lime peels and chunks of lime into the jar and continue as the recipe says.
pineapple jalapeno tequila
Then of course something more sweet and tropical. Pineapple. For this, add the pineapple at the same time as the jalapenos. You want to cut half a pineapple into chunks, cut away the rind and add that in with the jalapenos. Then follow the recipe as normal.
Top Tip: this works just as well with basically any fruit, mango is another which is amazing - mango jalapeno infused tequila, yes please!
Jalapeno Infused Tequila Recipe
Jalapeno Infused Tequila
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice your jalapeno into wheels and add them to a jar with a tight fitting lid.
- Pour your tequila on top of the Jalapenos, close the lid, shake the jar, and leave it somewhere dark and cool for 2 days to 4 weeks.
- The longer you leave it, the spicier it will become. Shake the jar ever few days and taste the mix every other day. Once it's to your liking, strain and bottle your tequila.
Notes
Try Adding
- Cucumber 2 days before straining for jalapeno and cucumber Tequila
- Mint 1 day before straining for mint and jalapeno Tequila
- Pineapple at the start of infusing for pineapple and jalapeno Tequila
- Mango at the start for spicy mango Tequila
- Lime 3 days before for a lime and jalapeno Tequila
How to Drink
- Serve as a shot
- Use in spicy margaritas
- Mix with soda or tonic wate for a spicy highball
Nutrition Facts
Calories
1.53Fat
0.02 gSat. Fat
0 gCarbs
0.35 gFiber
0.12 gNet carbs
0.23 gSugar
0.24 gProtein
0.04 gSodium
0.13 mgCholesterol
0 mgThe nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Padron Pepper Tequila
That same recipe above works well with any pepper, but one that I find to be extra delicious but no one ever talks about, is the humble Padron pepper.
For the padron pepper infused tequila, it’s as easy as cutting up some padron peppers and letting them sit in a jar with tequila for 1 month or so to infuse.
Top tips for padron pepper infused tequila
Use good quality blanco tequila. 100% agave works best, something like ocho 8 or patron silver would be perfect.
before cutting your padron peppers and adding them to your jar, dry roast them in a pan till they get a little bit of colour.
Use a vacuum sealer instead of a jar and your padron tequila should only take about 7 days instead of 1 month, it’ll also take up less space to store.
How should your padron pepper tequila taste
Once infused, the tequila will have a dark khaki green colour.
Taste wise, expect a lot of the original tequila flavour to come through (which is why we need to start with a good tequila) with added earthiness and spice.
How to use your padron pepper tequila
Use as a spicy shot for something a little bit more interesting then a regular shot of tequila.
Other than that, I’d recommend using this as a replacement for any other classic tequila cocktail recipe for a spicy kick addition. Think paloma, or picante de la casas.
But my ultimate recommendation has to be the the margarita… recipe below.
Video recipe
How I made Padrón pepper infused tequila and how I used it to make a padron pepper margarita video. See the full short video over on YouTube here.
Padron Pepper Tequila Recipe
Padrón pepper margarita
Ingredients
Instructions
- Roast the padron peppers in a dry pan until charred and allow to cool.
- Once cool, slice up the roasted peppers and add them to a jar along with the tequila.
- Leave somewhere dark and cool for 1 month, shake the jar regularly.
- Mix all cocktail ingredients in a cocktail shaker with lots of cubed ice.
- Strain into a chilled coup and garnish with a roasted padron pepper.
Notes
top tip:
Store your coupes in your fridge or freezer for optimal chill factor.
See below for recommended glassware and equipment.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
176.41Fat
1.71Sat. Fat
0.7Carbs
45.22Fiber
12.8Net carbs
32.42Sugar
10.32Protein
5.34Sodium
11.17Cholesterol
0The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Best Ever Spicy Margarita
Now you have your spicy infused Tequila, it’s time to make the ultimate spicy cocktail. I am of course talking about the Spicy Margarita.
Best Ever Spicy Margarita
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add everything to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with a slice of Jalapeno and mint sprig.
Notes
Add 1 ounce of pineapple or mango juice for a sweeter tropical variation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
182Fat
0.08 gSat. Fat
0 gCarbs
13.22 gFiber
0.14 gNet carbs
13.07 gSugar
10.12 gProtein
0.13 gSodium
1.71 mgCholesterol
0 mgThe nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend. If you liked this then you’re in luck, I have a bunch more recipes like it. I share only vegetarian and pescatarian food recipes, cocktails, and drink guides with a sprinkling of wellness and mindful drinking. If that sounds like you, then stick around!
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