This is my Batched Spicy Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita, and it is perfect for serving at your next BBQ, Fourth of July celebration, or summertime pool party! Made with fresh, juicy watermelon and a homemade jalapeño simple syrup that is sweet, spicy, and delicious, this recipe makes enough for 8-10 drinks, so it’s perfect for a crowd.
On those long summer evenings, there is nothing I love more than unwinding from the day with a cocktail in-hand. And on the days where I want a spicy kick, nothing satisfies quite like a spicy margarita. It’s a crowd-pleaser for a reason: sweet tequila blanco paired with the spiciness of the jalapeños is truly a match made in heaven. Throw some watermelon into the mix, and it truly couldn’t be better!
Except, unlike most cocktail recipes, which give you enough to make just 1-2 drinks, this recipe gives you the measurements to make a big batch of 8-10 drinks, which means that it’s perfect for serving at your next BBQ, Fourth of July celebration, or pool party! Or, make a batch at the beginning of the week to enjoy on your own. Who’s to say that you can’t count a cocktail as meal prep? 😉
What You Need to Make This Perfect Party-Sized Margarita
- 🌶️ Jalapeños: If you love a spicy margarita, then you are going to love the addition of jalapeños in this recipe! The jalapeño simple syrup truly takes things to the next level.
- Water: A little water helps the simple syrup achieve the perfect consistency.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener: To keep this recipe free from added sugars, I like to prepare the simple syrup with monk fruit sweetener, rather than sugar. Just make sure to use a monk fruit sweetener that contains allulose, like this one from Lakanto. If you don’t want to use monk fruit sweetener or can’t find it, you can also opt to use regular cane sugar.
- 🍉 Watermelon: It wouldn’t be summertime without the fresh watermelon, which is ABUNDANT this time of year!
- Tequila Blanco: Tequila Blanco has a smooth, sweet taste that pairs perfectly with the sweet watermelon and spicy jalapeños.
- Cointreau: A little cointreau is necessary for any good margarita recipe!
- 🍋 Lime Juice: Some fresh lime juice adds the perfect balance to this cocktail – don’t skip it!
- Tajin: This is optional, but I love to rim the margarita glasses with a little bit of Tajin, for that delicious spicy kick! Simply coat the edge of the glasses in a little bit of jalapeño simple syrup, then dip the rim of the glass into the Tajin!
How to Make These Perfect Spicy Summertime Margaritas
To make this margarita, start by preparing the jalapeño simple syrup. Heat a small saucepan, on the stove, over medium heat. Next, slice the jalapeños and add them to the pot alongside the monk fruit sweetener and water. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and allow it to cook until the sugar has cooked down / dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool. Then, muddle the jalapeños into the syrup.
Transfer the syrup to a jar and allow it to continue to cool while you prepare the rest of the margarita. Cut the watermelon into chunks and add them to a blender. Blend until the watermelon is totally smooth. Strain any remaining chunks from the watermelon and transfer the liquid to a pitcher alongside the tequila, cointreau, lime juice, and the jalapeño simple syrup.
Stir the margarita together, then transfer it into glasses. You can rim the glasses beforehand with tajin, if desired. Just rub some of the simple syrup across the glass and dip it into the tajin! Garnish with slices of jalapeño and watermelon, if desired. Then, serve and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
For the Jalapeño Simple Syrup:
- 1 Cup Monk fruit Sweetener with Allulose, or substitute with regular granulated sugar
- 1 Cup Water
- 2 Jalapeños, sliced thin
For the Watermelon Margarita:
- 5 Cups Watermelon, blended and strained
- 2 Cups Tequila Blanco
- ⅔ Cup Cointreau
- ½ Cup Lime Juice, this is the equivalent of 6-7 juicy limesx
- ½ Cup Spicy Jalapeño Simple Syrup, see above
For Garnishing:
- Sliced Jalapeños
- Sliced Watermelon
- ½ Tablespoon Tajin, to rim the glass
Instructions
- To make this margarita, start by preparing the jalapeño simple syrup. Heat a small saucepan, on the stove, over medium heat,
- Next, slice the jalapeños and add them to the pot alongside the monk fruit sweetener and water. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and allow it to cook until the sugar has cooked down / dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat and allow it to cool.
- Then, muddle the jalapeños into the syrup.
- Transfer the syrup to a jar and allow it to continue to cool while you prepare the rest of the margarita.
- Cut the watermelon into chunks and add them to a blender. Blend until the watermelon is totally smooth.
- Strain any remaining chunks from the watermelon and transfer the liquid to a pitcher alongside the tequila, cointreau, lime juice, and the jalapeño simple syrup.
- Stir the margarita together, then transfer it into glasses. You can rim the glasses beforehand with tajin, if desired. Just rub some of the simple syrup across the glass and dip it into the tajin!
- Garnish with slices of jalapeño and watermelon, if desired. Then, serve and enjoy!
Rate & review
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What others are saying
This is a very interesting recipe. I made this cocktail for a BBQ last weekend. Not all of my guests liked the spicy kick, but personally, I think it is absolutely great. For me, the combination of sweet and fresh watermelon and the jalapeños is unique. I will definitely make this cocktail again. Which tequila do you prefer? For this cocktail, I used Corralejo Tequila Blanco.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Paula! I like Casamigos, personally ☻
Went to 3 stores looking for a good watermelon and found one at Costco and it was so sweet thank goodness. Made the simple syrup with monk fruit and put in too large jalapeños I like it spicy. This is such a refreshing drink my husband and I enjoyed it with a lobster salad perfect for a hot day in Florida. Can’t wait to try another one of your recipes.
Hi! Do you know the juice measurement for the watermelon? I just juiced a bunch but didn’t measure the amount of cubed watermelons before hand. Thanks!!
Absolutely delicious! Hands down the best watermelon margarita!!
Cheers Michelle, thanks for the review!