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: Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail, Rum Runner Cocktail, Tequila Kiwi Cocktail and Blackberry Peach Elderflower Cocktail!
Update: This post was originally published in May 2017. I made updates to the post below to include more information about this spicy margarita recipe. Plus, I added a video to show you exactly how easy it is to make mango cocktail at home!
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!
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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
- 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.
- Blend the margarita mix: Add the fresh mango and citrus juices to a blender. Blend the mixture until smooth, creamy and frothy. Set aside.
- Muddle: Add a few slices of jalapeño to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well, using the back of a wooden spoon or a cocktail muddler.
- 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.
- Pour: Fill the rimmed cocktail glasses with crushed ice and strain the margarita into the glasses.
- 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
- 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).
- 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.
- 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!
- 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 👇
Spicy Mango Margarita
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
- 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.
- Jalapeños: If a super spicy margarita is desired, use all four slices of jalapeño. For a milder margarita, use one slice.
- 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.
Nutrition
©No Spoon Necessary. All images and content under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Please do not publish this recipe without prior consent. To reference this recipe, please link directly to this post.
my oh my ! Pinned the beauty for summer nights !!!!!!!!!!
Love the new video Chey and all the great new info! This cocktail looks just delicious! Cheers to Cinco de Mayo!
What a refreshing cocktail for Cinco de Mayo (or any time!). Love the sweet, tangy, spicy flavors and that spicy rim is perfection!
Looks like one to remember for the Cinco de Mayo celebration! Such a fun tropical cocktail, fantastic!
Cheyanne, I am so loving this “tropical boozy deliciousness”! First off, the thought of this on my tastebuds makes me salivate and second – wow – this is such a stunningly gorgeous drink! Like a sunrise in a glass! So glad you reshared this one – happy Margarita week! xo
You know I’m always up for a cocktail Chey! And these are some delicious looking margaritas! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo in May or any day! Cheers!
I have yet to meet a marg I don’t love and this one is clearly no different. Mango margaritas are always my go-to but the addition of spice just sends this one way over the top. MUST TRY! Have a great week, Chey!
Honey, I am in love. Sorry I am late to the margarita week party – I think I was having too many little margarita parties of my own! HA. Great going town, but lordie – these guys take their toll, and I mean that in the best way possible. Crazy in love with this spice color flavor combo.
Margarita-ing is DEFINITELY a verb, and I am DEFINITELY going to stretch out Cinco de Mayo as far as possible with this fabulous concoction, Chey! Pinning!
Someone please take my car keys because I totally want to go margarita-ing with a few of these! Then I might come singing love songs to you while running down your street! seriously Chey, the is one gorgeous cocktail! Happy Margarita Week!
I’ve got to confess. I’ve only tried a tequila once. It wasn’t even trying. Just licking a few drops. Not my cup of tea. Thus, I don’t recall having had a margarita in my life. Maybe I just past out and lost my memory after a first sip. Anyway, this cocktail sounds and looks fabulous. I do love mango, pineapple, and grenadine so I might give it another try. Perhaps, I just omit the tequila:)
You make the best drinks, Cheyanne! Wish I could come over and share one – this one is such a pretty color and love that it’s spicy! Regarding your IG comment – I’m taking a little blogging break due to hectic real life but all is well! Feeling real inspired lately so will have a post up soon. Happy Cinco de Mayo! Xo
I love margaritas so I will join you in margarita week and the drinking of tequila, especially when it looks this good. Girl, your pictures are drop-dead gorgeous and I’m liking your sunset better than my sunrise. That jalapeno slice closeup looks like it’s a raft in a margarita pool and I can just jump on it and float around, drinking the “pool water”. Hahahahahaha! Seriously, that would be an awesome freaking pool and raft setup 🙂
This totally reminds me of a tequila sunrise (which I used to love way back in the day)! Those brightly colored layers are SO beautify and I love that you added some spice. These are the prettiest margaritas ever and Happy Cinco de Mayo!
I’m def an on the rocks margarita kind of girl and these are perfect for all my sippin needs! They’re super pretty too! And of course you had me at jalapeno, Chey! Gimme all the spicy margarita! Have fun my dear! xo
I need this now! It is gorgeous and would really brighten up our rainy day here.
Perfect Perfect Perfect for Cinco De Mayo. I love spicy drinks especially a spicy margarita. Pineapples and tequila should be bestie because they are soooo darn tasty. That Piquant, salty sugary rim makes my mouth water. I love fun rims on drinks, I usually lick the rim off way before I get done with the drink. lol I’m selling at a street festival on Friday BUT I think I’ll be drinking it up by myself afterward. So I’ll be making these bads boys for one.
The stars have certainly aligned for some awesome sauce! lol i love your writing- its so fun, upbeat and friendly!
Oh, how I love the glow of this cocktail! This has summer written all over it! (Spring, fall and winter, too….) Car keys are hidden, voice is warmed up, I am ready!! Thanks for this beauty – Cocktail Queen!! Happy Cinco de Mayo, my dear! XO
Wow! These are seriously beautiful Cheyanne!! Thank you so much for adding your talents to Margarita Week. I’m loving this cocktail!
Oh you funny girl, rest assured I do not live on your street and so I will just be a fool all by myself!! Ha ha. This margarita is the bomb. BOMB. I do love a good margarita and this has all the wonderful ingredients for an awesome cinco de mayo celebration. Nice job my friend. The pics are fab and now I’m just waiting for 5 o’clock. Love ya sweets – hope you’re having an awesome week and the sun is sining bright over the SuBourbon Cottage. XOXO
Okay, if Margarita-ing is not a verb, then I am completely lost in my life!!! 😉 This cocktail looks amazing! Love the colors so much! The stars have TOTALLY aligned and now I’m super excited! Margarita madness sounds like the best kind of madness there is! Especially after the cray week I’ve been having. So… what can I do about getting two or four of these coming my way? 😉 I hope all is going well with ya, my spicy and sweet cupcake! Hopefully we can chat soon! <3
Bottoms up girl! this margarita is looking so good! cheers!
Margarita week is officially killing me. If I don’t end today with a margarita and a bowl of chips and guacamole I think I’ll just die. Die! How gorgeous is yours with the pineapple and grenadine and allll that deliciousness packed into one perfect drink? Seriously Cheyanne, I might end up running down the street singing to my neighbors just because I’m so in love with this beauty! Have a great weekend!
Your margarita looks so very beautiful…exactly reminds me of sunset 🙂
Well, how delicious does this margarita sound?!?! Love the flavors and love the sweet and spicy rim too! This will most definitely be on our Cinco de Mayo and summer cocktail menu Chey, Can’t wait to sample this luscious libation! Happy weekend.
Wouldn’t it be so funny, though, if you did see someone singing love songs down the street? I mean quite entertaining. Just pull up a chair to the window and, boom, you have a show :D!! This one is definitely magically delicious and the rim with the chili powder is a lovely touch to give another element of flava 😉 With all these wicked margarita recipes going around for margarita week, I don’t know where to start! Pinning this one and I’m sure it’ll make an appearance 🙂 Cheers to a wonderful weekend, Chey! xo
Margarita-ing, I LOVE it! That should totally be a word and it’s definitely acceptable for this week (and every other week, too). I’m a huge fan of flavored margaritas, but I’ve never had one quite like this before. I love that pretty color, Cheyanne! And I love the name, too…definitely looks like a sunset. I would love to be sipping on this with some chips and guac right now. Pinning this beauty! Hope you have a great weekend!
So I’m not normally a margarita drinker (bourbon girl here) but Cinco de Mayo comes around and I’m always searching for a fun one to try! Love this spicy, fruity version (totally my style if I’m doing tequila) — pinned — and I love that there’s a whole margarita week for me to go browse and explore! Woo hoo and cheers! Hope you have a fantastic Cinco de Mayo and weekend! XXOO
I don’t think I’ve ever had a margarita, can you believe that? I have to buy some tequila and make some. Are all margaritas made with tequila?