Homemade Margaritas: Two Ways!

Margaritas are hands down one of my favorite drinks. I LOVE good spicy, or skinny marg. However, I’m not a huge fan of premade margarita mixes, or the way restaurants make them. I feel like they’re often times super, super sweet and concentrated, and have that fake, “margarita mix” taste, which I hate.

A classic margarita is also chocked full of sugar, which is not a death sentence every once in awhile, but I like more of a fresh/light flavor, which I why I decided to try my hand at a homemade margarita!

In the process of trying to come up with the perfect recipe, I landed on two that I love. Here are the differences.

The “Best Ever Spicy Marg” is a little more time intensive, but is SO freaking good, and by far better than any spicy margarita you can find in a restaurant. The key is to infuse your tequila with jalepenos for 24 hours, trust me. It is worth the time and effort. The other key is the Trader Joe’s jalepeno limemade mix that will be our mid April. This is seasonal so stock the heck up when it comes out so that you’re prepared year round! I wanted to write this post ahead of time, so y'all are ready to hoard it once it comes out.

The “Lazy Girl Skinny Marg” is exactly what it sounds like. It contains 3 ingredients, it’s quick, it’s light, and it’s perfectly sweet with zero sugar. This will be a poolside/lake staple for me.

I will note that a good tequila makes all the difference in a good homemade margarita! I prefer a silver tequila, but any will work, I just recommend spending a couple extra dollars on a nicer brand. My favorite is El Espolon!

Stock up on these ingredients this week, pick a warm evening, whip up these margs, and enjoy a night in your backyard. Tag some / let me know how you like them if you try!

Best Ever Spicy Margarita

• 6-7 jalepenos
• 1 bottle silver tequila
• lime sparkling water
• 1 bottle Trader Joes jalepeno limeade OR their sparkling limemade
  • if you don’t have a TJ, use a frozen limemade concentrate, prepare it according to the container
• simple syrup or stevia
• Trader Joes chili lime seasoning or Tajin
• honey
• 3-4 limes

Directions:

1. Slice 5 jalepenos and infuse your tequila for 24 hours prior to making your margaritas, this makes all the difference! Include the seeds.
2. When you’re ready to serve the margs, rim the glasses in honey and chili lime seasoning, and add crushed ice.
3. In a cocktail shaker: combine 1 part lime sparkling water, 1 part jalepeno limemade/sparkling limeade, 2 shots of tequila, 1 Tbsp simple syrup, and ice.
   • If you want a super spicy marg, muddle 2-3 slices of the soaked jalepeno in the cocktail shaker before you add anything else.
4. Shake and pour! Add jalepeno and lime slices for garnish.

Lazy Girl Skinny Marg

• silver tequila
• lime + watermelon sparkling water (any sparkling water will work)
• diet lemonade
• 3-4 limes

Directions:

1. Rim your glasses in lime juice and salt, and add crushed ice.
2. Combine 1/2 cup sparkling water, 1-2 shots silver tequila and a splash of diet lemonade in a shaker cup.
3. Shake and pour, and add a slice of lime for garnish.