Spicy Italian Margarita Recipes

SPICY WATERMELON MARGARITA

Steps:

• Puree watermelon in a blender. Wipe the rim of a margarita glass with a lime wedge; dip rim in salt.
• In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, jalapeno, and 2 ounces of the watermelon puree. Shake until very cold.
• Strain into prepared glass. Garnish with watermelon wedge and jalapeno slice.

ITALIAN MARGARITA

Steps:

• Rim the glass: On a small plate, mix together the sugar and salt. Rub a lemon wedge around the top edge of your glass to moisten it, then dip the glass into the sugar-salt mixture so that it sticks, tapping all the way around.
• For one (or two) drinks: Fill a small cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, amaretto, lemon juice, and lime juice. Tightly close and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds (it's longer than you think). Strain into the rimmed glass. Enjoy immediately.
• For a pitcher: In the bottom of a pitcher, stir together the tequila, amaretto, lemon juice, and lime juice (do not add ice to the pitcher). Serve immediately or place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pitcher and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Shake just before serving.

SPICY MARGARITA

Steps:

• Put the Spicy Salt on a plate. Dip the rim of a chilled margarita glass into the mixture to coat the edge. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, Simple Syrup and orange liqueur. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, the drink is ready by the time the shaker mists up.) Strain the margarita into the prepared glass.

SPICY GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITAS

Steps:

• First, prepare your glasses. Mix together the salt and chili on a small, rimmed plate. Run a lime wedge around the outer top edge of your glasses, then roll the edges in the chili-salt so it sticks. Place one big ice cube or a few smaller ice cubes in each glass.
• In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, add the lime juice, agave nectar and jalapeño slice. Use a muddler to crush the jalapeño. Pour in the grapefruit juice and tequila, then top off the shaker with ice. Fasten the lid on securely and shake well.
• Strain the mixture into your prepared glasses. If you want to be cute about it, garnish the drinks with a small wedge of grapefruit, sliced halfway through the middle so it rests on your glass. Cheers!

SPICY JALAPENO-INFUSED MARGARITA

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled.
• Place kosher salt on a plate. Run lime wedge around edge of glass and dip into kosher salt. Strain margarita into the glass.

SPICY ITALIAN MARGARITA

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the limoncello, tequila and chile paste, if using. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
• Dip the rim of a rocks glass in a small splash of limoncello on a plate. Coat the rim with salt. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass. Top with the seltzer and serve.
• Zest just the yellow portion of the lemon peels with a rasp grater, avoiding any of the bitter white pith. You should have about 1/4 cup zest. Transfer the zest to a jar or other airtight container. Add the vodka, seal and shake to combine. Set aside in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks.
• Strain the infused vodka through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl. You may need to line the sieve with a coffee filter to catch all of the zest. Discard the zest (or dehydrate it and add to the salt for rimming the Spicy Italian Margarita).
• If making your own simple syrup, combine the sugar with 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.
• Combine 3/4 cup of the simple syrup (or more, if desired) with the infused vodka. Store in an airtight bottle in the freezer for up to 6 months. Makes about 3 cups.