Spicy Mango Margarita

Learn how to easily make your own spicy margarita at home with just 8 ingredients! This Spicy Mango Margarita is a fruity, fiery twist on the classic Mexican cocktail! Bursting with tropical flavors, perfectly spiced with jalapeño and gussied up with a splash of grenadine, this mango tequila drink is the perfect combination of sweet, spicy and everything nice! Serve it frozen or on the rocks for the ultimate summer cocktail that is sure to impress!  

Looking for more delicious drinks? Try these fan favorites: Champagne Cocktails (mimosas!), Strawberry Cocktail (with vodka), Tequila Cocktail (with Kiwi!), Rum Runner, and Blackberry Peach Cocktail!

Hi, friends!!! Today we are margarita-ing!!! (Is it just me or should that most definitely be a real verb?) Since tomorrow happens to be Cinco de Mayo, I couldn’t leave you hanging without an epic tequila cocktail to help you celebrate the festivities!

So, go forth and grab your sombreros, along with a few maracas and tiny cocktail umbrellas, because it’s fiesta time!

Spicy mango margarita recipe: overview

Also known as tropical boozy deliciousness that is sure to blow your mind!

This margarita recipe is delicious! This sweet, spicy and citrusy libation is perfectly tangy and tart with prominent notes of pineapple, mango and smooth tequila. Garnished with a piquant, salty, sugary rim, this margarita is magically delicious.

A word to the wise, this tequila cocktail is beautifully refreshing and dangerously smooth. You can easily suck down three (or five) of these Spicy Margaritas and be terrifically tipsy before you know it. So, make sure you hide the car keys or drink safely at home before you imbibe!

Aside from being absolutely everything in the taste department, this margarita is so simple to make, requiring just 10 minutes and 8 ingredients! Plus, this recipe is flexible and extremely customizable so you can easily create a cocktail that is perfect for you and your specific taste! And you can use frozen mango to create a frothy frozen margarita or use fresh mango for an “on the rocks” margarita!

Why you will love this recipe

• Easy to make: Making spicy margaritas at home is just as easy as ordering them at your favorite Mexican restaurant!
• Customizable: The bonus to making margaritas at home – you can customize the ingredients to your specific taste! Feel free to make this margarita fiery hot or mild and refreshingly tropical!
• Frozen or “On the Rocks”: Choose your own margarita adventure!
• Incredibly flavorful: These mango-ritas are bursting with delicious fresh, tropicals flavors with the perfect spicy kick!
• Crowd Favorite: This mango drink is always a huge hit with a crowd! You can easily double, triple or even quadruple to recipe to make a large pitcher of fresh mango margaritas!

What is a spicy margarita?

A classic margarita is made simply with tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime juice, is arguably one of the most popular cocktails in the world. The margarita has laid inspiration to countless variations over time, such as the spicy margarita, the mango margarita and a combination of the two, the spicy mango margarita.

A spicy margarita features the same ingredients as the classic margarita, along with fresh spicy jalapeños, while a mango margarita (also known as a mango-rita) adds fresh mangos. A spicy mango margarita is a fusion of the two – combining spicy jalapeños and fresh mango to create a cocktail that is refreshing and tropical as well as warm and fiery!

What ingredients are in a mango margarita?

This tropical tequila cocktail uses a couple fresh ingredients along with a few essential cocktail liquors and pantry staples to create a drink that is smooth and truly refreshing!

Ingredients you need to make this mango tequila cocktail

• Tequila: I recommend using a 100% agave Blanco or Silver tequila for this margarita. You can use a more expensive type of tequila, such as Reposado or Anejo; however, I don’t recommend using a gold tequila. Gold tequilas, also known as join tequilas, are a blend of different tequilas, which can include additives and give you a killer hangover.
• Mango: You will need half a ripe mango to make the margarita puree.
• Pineapple Juice: Pineapple and mango are a match made in tropical heaven! Pineapple juice adds a touch of sweet, acidic flavor and helps thin out the mango margarita puree.
• Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice adds a bit of acidity. Make sure you purchase limes and squeeze them yourself for the best flavor!
• Triple Sec: You can use your favorite orange liqueur here or use whatever is in your budget. I tend to use either regular Triple Sec or Cointreau. Triple sec is a generic orange liqueur, while Cointreau is a type of triple sec with a smoother and more complex flavor.
• Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeños add the perfect amount of earthy heat!
• Agave: While totally optional, a touch of agave adds a hint of sweetness to balance out the fruity, acidic flavors.
• Grenadine: Non-alcoholic grenadine syrup adds a pop of beautiful red color and a touch of tart and sweet flavor!
• Rim: A combination of coarse salt and chili powder along with a dash of granulated sugar make the perfect blend to rim your cocktail glass! (See below for making spicy salt for your margarita rim.)

Garnishes

Edible garnishes are a festive way to take your margarita up a notch! Feel free to stick with the traditional slice of lime or have fun experimenting and think outside the glass! Below are a few delicious ideas to help get you started!

• Lime: A wheel, wedge or slice of lime is one of the most common margarita garnishes.
• Orange: A slice of fresh orange is a wonderful way to mimic the vibrant color in this margarita!
• Mango: Fresh mango is an obvious garnish option for this spicy margarita! Try cutting a mango into bite-size cubes and threading it on a skewer!
• Strawberry: Mangoes and strawberries go hand in hand! Try slicing a whole strawberry into a spiral for a beautiful garnish!
• Cherry: Maraschino cherries are a sweet finishing touch everyone seems to love!
• Chile Pepper: Looking to really play up the spicy flavor? Garnish your margarita with a slice of jalapeño!
• Herbs: Try adding a sprig of fresh basil or cilantro for an herbal touch!

Substitutions and variations

Looking to make a few changes or additions to this cocktail? No problem! The great thing about making margaritas at home is you can easily customize them to your specific taste!  Get creative in the kitchen – eliminate any ingredients that you don’t have on hand or simply don’t like, and replace them with ones you love!

• Mango: If you aren’t a fan of mango or can’t find any in season, try using fresh pineapple to create a spicy pineapple margarita!
• Time Saver: Looking to save a little time on prep and avoid washing your blender? You can use a can of mango nectar instead of fresh mango to make your margarita on the rocks!
• Pineapple juice: If you find pineapple juice to be a little too bold and tangy, you can substitute it with fresh mango juice or orange juice instead!
• Non-spicy: You can easily make this a regular mango margarita by leaving out the jalapeño!
• Jalapeño: For a smoky flavor, try charring your whole jalapeño on the grill before muddling them in your cocktail shaker!
• Agave: If you don’t have agave nectar, you can substitute equal amounts of simple syrup or honey!
• Grenadine: If you don’t have grenadine on hand or simply don’t like the flavor, feel free to leave it out! Or, try using a pomegranate liqueur!
• Pitcher margaritas: If you need enough margaritas for a crowd, try batching this margarita recipe and serving it in a pitcher!

How to make spicy margarita salt?

Spicy salt is the perfect way to rim the glass of a fiery margarita! To make spicy margarita salt, mix 3/4 teaspoon of chili powder with 1 1/2 teaspoons of coarse salt. For a well balanced salt, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of granulated sugar to the mix to offset the spice!

How to make mango margaritas at home

Margaritas are incredibly easy to make at home – it just takes a few minutes along with some fresh ingredients and requisite bar basics, tequila and orange liquor!

How to make it on the rocks

1. Rim: Combine chili powder, salt and sugar on a small plate. Rim the cocktail glass with lime and then dip it into the chili powder mixture. Set the glasses aside.
2. Blend the margarita mix: Add the fresh mango and citrus juices to a blender. Blend the mixture until smooth, creamy and frothy. Set aside.
3. Muddle: Add a few slices of jalapeño to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well, using the back of a wooden spoon or a cocktail muddler.
4. Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and add the mango mixture, triple sec and tequila. Shake vigorously until the shaker is cold to the touch.
5. Pour: Fill the rimmed cocktail glasses with crushed ice and strain the margarita into the glasses.
6. Garnish: Garnish your cocktail with slices of jalapeño, chunks of mango or garnish of choice. Serve and enjoy!

Can I make this a frozen margarita?

Looking to celebrate warm, sunny days with a frozen margarita? I hear you! You can easily transform this cocktail into a delicious frozen mango margarita! Substitute the fresh mango with frozen mango chunks and voilà – creamy, smooth tropical margaritas!

Can I make this virgin?

Absolutely! To make a virgin mango margarita, increase the amount of fresh mango (or mango nectar) and pineapple juice and completely omit the tequila and triple sec. Add club soda, mango seltzer water or even lemon-lime soda to taste!

Tips for the best Spicy Mango Margarita recipe

1. Sweetener: Always make your cocktails to taste! This means you should prepare the margarita mix, taste and then adjust it. If your mango is ripe, you may not need to add any agave to your spicy margarita mix at all! However, if your mango isn’t ripe and you prefer a sweet margarita, you may need to add an ounce or two of agave (or honey).
2. Spice level: If you like your margarita fiery hot, leave the ribs and the seeds in your jalapeño when muddling and use four (or more) slices of jalapeño. For a milder margarita, remove the ribs and seeds and start with just one slice of jalapeño.
3. Serving a crowd: You can easily batch this recipe for a crowd! Simply multiply the recipe by the number of drinks and pour everything into a large pitcher!
4. Making margaritas ahead: You can even make these margaritas ahead of time and keep the pitcher in the refrigerator for a few hours. Wait to add the ice to the pitcher until just before serving. Or, if you are looking to keep things fancy, make sure you set out a chili-salt rimming station and bucket of ice so your guests can help themselves!

What to food serve with margaritas?

Looking for snacks and food to serve alongside those margaritas? While the traditional pairing option for margaritas is Mexican food, this tequila cocktail plays well with a wide variety of cuisines! Think outside the box and try pairing your margarita with foods from all over the world! For the best pairings, look for bright and flavorful dishes that complement the spicy, tropical and lime flavors found in this margarita!

Pro tip: The acidity in lime perfectly emphasizes spicy food and tequila intensifies smoky flavors.

6 tasty snacks for a crowd

• Guacamole: Rich, creamy guacamole is the perfect balancing dish to tame the chili flavor in a spicy margarita!
• Green Salsa: Refreshing Salsa Verde is another wonderful, cooling snack for spicy drinks!
• Corn Salsa: Juicy, slightly citrusy Corn Salsa works particularly well with tequila cocktails!
• Corn on the Cob: Mexican corn on the cob, also known as Elotes, perfectly plays up the flavors in this spicy, sweet cocktail!
• Ceviche: Citrusy ceviche is a heavenly light, yet satisfying pairing option that lets the flavors in this margarita shine! If your looking to transform it into a more complete meal, try serving your ceviche over coconut rice!
• Spicy Tuna: Raw fish such as spicy tuna or sushi and sashimi are an delicious pairing option!

8 entrees to impress

• Cajun Dirty Rice: The earthy, pungent flavors in Dirty rice draw out the spicy flavors in this margarita!
• Fish Tacos: Fish Taco Bowls or regular tacos are an obvious option for tropical cocktails!
• Black Bean Burgers: The southwestern flavors found in black bean burgers work beautifully with spicy cocktails!
• Enchiladas: The burst of citrus flavors in a margarita are a great way to cut the richness found in your favorite enchilada or Enchilada Suizas Bake!
• Mole: The complex flavors in mole stand up well to the tartness of this cocktail!
• Pork: Tangy pulled pork and spicy margaritas are a match made in heaven!
• Thai Curry: The sweet heat in your favorite curry enhances the delicious flavors of this drink!
• Jerk Pork: The hot and smoky flavors in jerk pork play well with margaritas!

You just can’t have a proper Cinco de Mayo celebration without a few margaritas! Treat your tastebuds to a taste of the tropics and make this fruity Margarita a part of your festivities!!

XOXO

Cheyanne

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The best Spicy Mango Margarita recipe plus step-by-step video 👇

Print Recipe

5 from 16 votes

Spicy Mango Margarita

Make your own Spicy Mango Margarita at home in 10 minutes with just 8 ingredients! This fruity, fiery twist on the classic is bursting with tropical fruit and perfectly spiced with jalapeño! It's a refreshing tequila cocktail that is sure to get the party started!

Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: jalapeno, mango, margarita, pineapple, spicy, tequila, tropical

Servings: 2

Calories: 307kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Equipment

• Blender
• Cocktail Shaker
• Cocktail Glasses

Ingredients

Margarita

• ½ large Ripe Mango – skin & pit removed and cubed (about 2/3 cup) (Use frozen mango chunks for a frozen margarita!)
• 3 ounces Pineapple Juice
• 1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice (plus lime wedges for garnish)
• ½ Jalapeño - sliced
• 3 ounces Triple Sec
• 3 ounces Silver Tequila
• 1 TBS Grenadine
• Agave - to taste (OPTIONAL)

Rim

• Lime Wedge for wetting the rim
• ¾ tsp Chili Powder
• 1 ½ tsp Coarse Salt
• 1 ½ tsp Granulated Sugar

Instructions

• Rim the glasses: spread the chili powder, salt and sugar on a small plate. Moisten the rim of 2 glasses with the lime wedge. Dip the edge of the rim into the mixture and gently shake off any excess. Fill the glasses with ice and set aside.
  
• Blend the mango-pineapple mixture (yield about 1 cup): Add the mango, pineapple juice and lime juice to a blender (SEE NTOES). Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  
• Shake the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, muddle 1-4 slices of jalapeño (SEE NOTES). Fill the shaker with ice and add the mango mixture, triple sec and tequila. Shake vigorously until the shaker is cold to touch. Strain the margarita into the prepared glasses. 
  
• Pour, Garnish & Serve: Slowly pour the grenadine into the margarita. Garnish with the slices of lime and remaining slices of jalapeño. Enjoy!
  

Video

Notes

1. Sweetener: If you like your margarita on the sweeter side, add an ounce or two of agave, or honey, to the blender with the mango. Just make sure you taste the mango-pineapple mixture FIRST, and then add the agave if desired. Depending on the ripeness of your mango, the mixture may be sweet enough without the addition.
2. Jalapeños: If a super spicy margarita is desired, use all four slices of jalapeño. For a milder margarita, use one slice.
3. Frozen Margarita: To make a frozen margarita, use frozen mango chunks. Add all the ingredients (including the jalapeños) to a a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust for sweetness. If you prefer a thinner, more slushy margarita, you can use blend in large handfuls of ice cubes or use fresh mango and ice instead of frozen mango chunks. 

Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 2 cocktails.  Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 124mg | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 485IU | Vitamin C: 27.6mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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