A cucumber jalapeño margarita is the ultimate refreshing, slightly spicy cocktail that's easy to make at home.
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What is a Margarita?
The margarita, invented by Francisco "Pancho" Morales in summer of 1942 at Tommy's Place in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, originally emerged after a woman ordered a "magnolia." Unable to recall the exact recipe, Pancho created the margarita by combining cointreau, lime, a spirit base, and tequila.
Traditionally, margaritas use tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, often served with a salted rim. The name "margarita" comes from the Spanish word for "daisy," linked to the earlier tequila daisy or tequila sour.
Today, margaritas come in many varieties—frozen, blended, spicy, or fruity—making them highly customizable and enjoyable for everyone.
Jump to:
- What is a Margarita?
- Why You'll Love This
- Further History of the Margarita
- Why Jalapeño & Cucumber are the Perfect Combo
- What is Simple Syrup?
- How to Make Simple Syrup at Home
- Ingredients
- Substituions & Variations
- Equipment
- Instructions: Let's Make Margaritas!
- Serving Suggestions
- Top tip
- Storage
- FAQ
- Other Cocktails You'll Love!
- What to Pair with These Margaritas
- Easy Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita
Why You'll Love This
Margaritas are a year-round favorite, thanks to their versatile base of tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Their adaptability to seasonal fruits makes them a refreshing choice in any season.
If you want to upgrade the classic margarita, try this recipe with fresh cucumber and jalapeño. The mild sweetness of cucumber and the heat of jalapeño blend perfectly with chilled tequila and zesty lime juice.
This cucumber jalapeño margarita not only elevates the traditional drink but is also easy to make in under 30 minutes. It pairs well with dips, appetizers, or entrees, making it a delightful choice for any occasion.

Further History of the Margarita
The margarita has an intriguing history! Though it originated in Mexico, its earliest version, the British Picador, had the same proportions as today's margarita.
In 1939, the tequila sour emerged, similar to the Picador but sweetened with agave syrup, and was also known as the tequila daisy.
The term "margarita" first appeared in the U.S. in a 1953 article by The Press Democrat of Santa Rosa, California. Since then, the margarita has become the most popular cocktail in the U.S., celebrated for its refreshing, zesty flavor.
Why Jalapeño & Cucumber are the Perfect Combo
The mild heat from jalapeños complements the refreshing, crisp cucumber, which helps counteract sweetness or saltiness. Cucumbers, being 96% water, make the margarita especially refreshing, particularly in summer.
You can customize the spice level by adding jalapeño seeds or extra jalapeños to suit your taste!

What is Simple Syrup?
Traditional recipes use triple sec for sweetness, this one uses simple syrup instead. Simple syrup, made from water and sugar (and optionally flavored with fruits or herbs), balances the margarita.
Simple syrup is versatile, used not only in cocktails but also in desserts, coffees, teas, and lemonades. It’s easy to make at home, and you can customize it with various flavors like lavender, rosemary, or jalapeño.

How to Make Simple Syrup at Home
Combine water and sugar in a pot, bring to a boil, then add sliced jalapeños (seeds for more heat, or discard for less). Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Cool and refrigerate.
Once cooled, it lasts for seven days in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of everything you'll need for this cocktail and their purposes.

Ingredients for the Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita:
- Tajin: Lime-infused chili powder that enhances both cucumber and jalapeño flavors.
- Ice: For shaking and mixing the ingredients.
- Cucumber: Adds freshness to balance the jalapeño spice.
- Tequila: Essential for a margarita.
- Lime Juice: Balances spice and adds depth.
- Jalapeño Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and adds a spicy kick.
- Limes (for garnish): Adds extra zing and enhances presentation.
- Cucumber (for garnish): Elevates presentation and provides a tasty snack.
Ingredients for Jalapeño Simple Syrup:
- Water: Base for the syrup, helps dissolve the sugar.
- Sugar: Creates the syrup consistency and sweetness.
- Jalapeño: Infuses the syrup with a balanced kick of heat.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Substituions & Variations
Here are some tips for adjusting the recipe:
- Decrease Spice: Use fewer jalapeños in the syrup or omit them to reduce spice.
- Blended: Turn it into a frozen margarita by blending with ice for a refreshing variation.
This recipe hasn't been tested with substitutions beyond those listed. Any unlisted changes may affect the results.
Equipment
Equipment can impact the recipe. I used tray molds for ice cubes, toothpicks for garnish, and a cocktail shaker for mixing.
Instructions: Let's Make Margaritas!
It's time to assemble your cucumber jalapeño margaritas.

First, prep your cocktail glasses by dipping the rims in lime juice and rolling them in tajin. Refrigerate the glasses to chill.
Next, peel and dice a cucumber, then muddle it in a bowl to release its juice. Strain this liquid into a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, and jalapeño simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
Finally, remove the chilled glasses from the fridge and add a large ice cube to each. I like to use tray molds that form square cubes. Strain the margarita evenly into the glasses. Garnish with cucumber slices or jalapeño slices for an elevated presentation.
Serving Suggestions
Have you ever thought about the art of elevating cocktails? Here are a few tips:
- Rim the Glass: Enhance flavor and appearance by rimming with lime juice and tajin.
- Garnishes: Add cucumber ribbons or jalapeño slices for a stylish touch.
Serve and enjoy your beautifully crafted cucumber jalapeño margarita!

Top tip
Creating cucumber ribbons is easy with a mandolin. Set it to a thin slice, then glide the cucumber lengthwise through a toothpick to produce perfect, even ribbons for garnish.
Storage
Store unused ingredients in sealed containers or bags in their proper conditions. Use within a day or two, as cucumbers wilt quickly. This margarita is best served fresh!
FAQ
Yes! This cucumber jalapeño margarita is just as delicious served sans tequila than it is with.
Yes! Just double all of the ingredients to increase the serving size and you're good to go. No other modifications needed.
Other Cocktails You'll Love!
Looking for more cocktail recipes? Check these out!
What to Pair with These Margaritas
Pair your margarita with these dishes:
Easy Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita
Course: CocktailsDifficulty: Easy2
servings30
minutesThis easy to make cocktail is refreshing with the perfect hint of spice!
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the Jalapeño Simple Syrup
1 cup water
¾ cup sugar
1 sliced jalapeno
- Ingredients for the Margarita
¼ cup of tajin
1 cup ice
1 large cucumber
4 ounces of tequila
2 ounces of lime juice
2 ounces of jalapeño simple syrup
Limes for garnish
Cucumber for garnish
Directions
- Instructions for the Syrup
- Combine the water and sugar in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then add 1 sliced jalapeño. Keep the seeds if you'd like the syrup a little spicier or discard if you'l like the syrup with just a hint of spice.
- Lower the heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally and remove from heat once all of the sugar is mixed again.
- Pour into a mason jar (with the jalapeño slices) and allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Instructions for the Margarita
- Add the tajin to a shallow plate, then run a slice of lime along the edge of two small cocktail glasses. Invert each glass, one ate a time, and roll in the tajin to coat. Add ice and refrigerate the glasses.
- Peel the cucumber, then dice. Add to a large glass or bowl and muddle by pressing against the cucumbers until crushed.
- Strain the liquid into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Then add 4 ounces of chilled tequila, 2 ounces of lime juice and 2 ounces of the jalapeño simple syrup.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds before straining into the two refrigerated glasses.
- Serve with sliced jalapeños or cucumbers and enjoy!
Notes
- Store the simple syrup in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
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