In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I’m bringing back this popular cocktail, originally posted in 2017, that’s a little bit spicy and a little bit sweet. This Spicy Cucumber Margarita has a little something for everyone!
I interrupt an arduous yet satisfying task to bring you this Spicy Cucumber Margarita.
Arduous task? Spring cleaning our bookcases. I can’t begin to guess the number of books we have slowly accumulated over our 29 years of marriage.
It was time. Time to take ’em down, dust ’em off, shine the cases, and, for the first time in 29 years, do some weeding. I have to tell you – with every book that has clearly run its course, it was as if the sturdy boxes set to collect and the chosen books designated to go, were north poles repelling each other.
This was hard, hard to let go of books that have in small or large ways contributed to the people we are today. But I figured that these hardcover collectibles, like our aging (ahem) textbooks, might do more good for someone else than they are for us. Yes, as I write this, a small lump is forming in my throat. I’m really not one for collecting stuff – but my books, man – I hold on tight. Let’s just say – if I wanted to, I could probably set up a small library for children in my backyard. Hmmmmmm.
Oh, right – we’re here to talk about margaritas!
Here’s the deal – I like margaritas, but my kids love margaritas, so I floated the question, “What sounds appealing for Margarita Week?” They tossed around a few ideas, and together, we landed on this sweet and peppery cocktail inspired by a margarita that Chelsea recently enjoyed. And I’ve got to say – this spicy little number is a winner! Thanks, Chels!
With its spicy jalapeño, cool cucumber, fizzy lime, sweet agave and your favorite tequila, the marriage of flavors here scores high points in the delish-department.
[Sidebar: Are you guys fans of cucumber water? Seriously, the first time I discovered it was at a hotel gym…a gorgeous frosty pitcher of cucumber and herb water, set just a few feet away, waiting patiently for me to hop off the treadmill and quench my intense thirst. In that hot and droughty moment, I thought to myself, this is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted(!) making cucumber a newfound favorite flavor for beverages like this Spicy Cucumber Margaritas!]
What you’ll experience upon sipping is the fresh flavor of cucumber, followed by a small but pronounced kick of jalapeño, then finished with a whisper of sweetness from the sugared rim.
Here’s hoping that your party starts soon and carries onward and upward into your weekend!
Salute!
And don’t forget to check out Ciao Chow Bambina on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
PrintSpicy Cucumber Margarita
- Category: Cocktails
Ingredients
- 1 cup of your favorite tequila (infused with jalapeño & cucumber)
- 1/2 thinly sliced jalapeño, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup agave syrup
- 1/2 lime and sugar for rimming the glasses
Instructions
- To make the jalapeño infused tequila: Place 1/2 thinly sliced jalapeño, 1/2 thinly sliced cucumber and 1 cup tequila in a cocktail shaker. Give a gentle muddle to the vegetables, cover, and allow to sit at room temperature for a few hours.
- Before making the margaritas, remove jalapeños and cucumber from the tequila.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the flavor-infused tequila, lime juice and agave syrup. Shake!
- To rim the margarita glasses, first pour sugar on a large plate. Rub the edge of each glass with a lime wedge and then dip into the sugar.
- Strain the margarita into glasses, garnish with slices of lime, cucumber and jalapeño.
- Enjoy!
In case you forgot to pin!
CIAO!
stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
Hi! I thought I commented on this fabulous drink but I think I did it on Instagram, doesn’t take much to confuse me 🙂 . I love cucumber and jalapeño cocktails and this margarita is making me thirsty (dare I admit its only 10am). The photos are beautiful and colorful. Take care.
Annie says
I do that all the time! Glad I’m not alone! Thank you so much! I’m actually surprised by how much I enjoy the flavor of this drink! 🙂
Manali@cookwithmanali.com says
beautiful, love the addition of jalapeno!
Annie says
The jalapeno make it!! Ohhh, and the cucumber…and that little bit of lime… Yep – it’s a good drink any way you slice it! Thanks, friend!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
Getting rid of books is not easy! The last time I did a purge, I told myself to find 10 books to donate. Having a finite number seemed to help me cope. Your margarita sounds so intriguing, with the spicy and sweet accents! Margaritas are so fun.
Annie says
Not easy at all! It hurts!! If you like a little heat with your sweet – I think you might like this! Thanks, friend!
Cindy says
I am a huge fan of cucumber water! I love this margarita week thingy – why oh why can’t May 5th be around everyday? I hear ya with the arduous tasks as we are getting our house ready to sell. Who knew I could collect sooooo much stuff? Yousa. Now the fun begins. I will order of few of these, eh?
Annie says
Oh my! Packing up a house is quite THE task!! You’ll have earned a pitcher or two when you’re done! Good luck with everything, my friend! Hopefully we can meet up one day to share in that pitcher!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I totally missed this on Friday, but it sounds absolutely perfect for any day. Such great flavours and so pretty, too 🙂
Annie says
I tell you what – this is one tasty beverage! Thanks, Jennifer! Hope your weekend was great! 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I totally know what you mean about books, Annie. I must have hundreds that I can’t let go. I am a fan of cucumber water! The first time I had it was in a spa in Vegas. Hmmm maybe that’s why I love it so much. It reminds me of massages and hot pools! I love your spicy cucumber contribution to Margarita Week! Cheers!
Annie says
Mmmmm….that’s a nice association! Thanks, friend! 🙂
sippitysup says
I’ve been freer some books myself. Some are cocktail books and none have this gorgeous combination so out they go. GREG
Annie says
Awhhhh! Thank you, my friend! 🙂
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
This margarita sounds perfect – I love cucumber water – and love that it’s on the spicy side too! As for books, I’m a huge reader and for the last two years – every six months or so – I bring in all the books I’ve read to work and leave them in a big pile for my coworkers to take. I feel like I am giving the books a second life!
Annie says
I love that, Geraldine! That’s a wonderful idea! Hope your weekend was fun, my friend!
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Cucumber water is so refreshing. I read that you should drink it every day because it removes toxins. That means I should drink one of these margaritas every day because it has cucumber water in it! Yay and thanks Annie for this fab recipe 🙂 Happy Cinco de Mayo and cheerss, gf!
Annie says
That’s it! You’ve convinced me! Now I’ll drink it everyday! Cucumber water, that is! 🙂 Thanks, friend!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
This is a great looking margarita! I love the spicy cucumber combination! Good luck with the books. That would be really difficult to clean out all those books. Lots of memories there, I’m sure.
Annie says
Thank you, Kathy! This is a yummy one! Happy Cinco de Mayo!
rebecca | DisplacedHousewife says
Oh I love the combination of cooling cucumber + spicy jalapeño! !! I can just imagine how good these are! And getting rid of books is painful…that’s why my house is clutter with them!! xoxo
Annie says
These flavors have turned me into a believer! Yes it is painful! This project is taking me entirely too long! Thank you, my friend! xoxo
Caras Kitchen says
Huga fan of cucumber H2O! happy margarita week, these look so refreshing and delicoius 🙂
Annie says
Isn’t it so good?!!!! Thank you, friend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh gosh, thankfully my husband doesn’t read. LOL! But to be fair, I read enough for the two of us. 😉 Cleaning bookshelves is always tedious, so I hope you treated yourself to a few of these beautiful margaritas when you were done! LOVE this, Annie! Spicy and sweet JUST LIKE ME! Hahaha. Kidding. Kinda? 😉 Definitely adding these to the Cinco de Mayo party! Cheers, friend! XO
Annie says
Hahaha! Of course you’re spicy and sweet! That’s why we get along! So happy you like this! I’m so impressed with all the margaritas I’m seeing this week…. Can’t wait to see yours! Thank you, my dear! XO
Milena | Craft Beering says
This looks like so much fun! And how awesome is it that you can enjoy margaritas with your kids:)
If I had to tackle books I would need my own pitcher of this cocktail. Into the weekend!
Annie says
Indeed! This job calls for a pitcher or two! 😉 Our youngest turns 22 in a couple weeks – so I’m thinking spicy margaritas for everyone! Have a great weekend!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I am a total HOARDER of books so I feel your pain. Even when I don’t like one, it’s still hard for me to give it away :(. As for this margarita, YES PLEASE! I had a cucumber pineapple margarita a few years ago and have been meaning to recreate it at home but this sounds even better because I love a little spice in my drinks. Good luck with the spring cleaning and have a great weekend!
Annie says
I am so that way! This has been difficult but I keep telling myself – making room for the new! 😉 Thanks, friend!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Bring on the margaritas! Wish we were on the beach somewhere sipping on these beauties! Have a great week!
Annie says
Ohhh – wouldn’t that be wonderful!!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I LOVE cucumber water Annie, so I know I’m going to LOVE this margarita! The kick from the jalapeno and the sweetness from the sugared rim is just perfect. Getting this one on the list for sure. Thanks for sharing and Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Annie says
I could happily sit around this weekend and taste all of what we’re seeing! I think I’m turning into a margarita lover! Thank you, my friend! Have a great weekend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Cleaning/organizing bookshelves is quite the task, isn’t it? I was looking at mine the other day and realized I need to get to it. I love collecting/keeping food magazines too. The only thing is you can gather quite the stack of them. I remember giving away a bunch a few years back and now wondering if I should do the same thing again, but it ain’t easy 😉
Cucumber water is pretty refreshing and I can only imagine how refreshing this margarita is with the spicy kick! My kinda cocktail! Pinning and looking forward to having this one a part of the celebrations 🙂 Cheers to a fantastic weekend, sweets! XOXO
Annie says
I am three days in and I’m still not done! Today’s the day!! (I hope! ;)) I am loving all the margaritas this week! Can’t wait to see yours! Happy Cinco de Mayo, my friend! XOXO
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Yay for margarita week! I’ve been loving all of the flavorful combinations of margaritas that I’ve seen in the past few weeks from bloggers everywhere. This version reminds me of one that my husband had when we went to Hawaii. He loooves cucumber anything, so it was his favorite. Such a pretty drink for Cinco de Mayo!
Annie says
I never turn away anything cucumber! I think you guys will really enjoy this! Thanks, friend!
Annie says
🙂