A spicy marg should be cold, pretty, and slightly dangerous. The cup should not be.
Most people file margaritas under summer and forget about them in July. Which is a shame, because the version below leans tropical on purpose.
Coconut cream, pineapple juice and a jalapeño slice doing the heavy lifting.
It tastes like a warmer month and takes about ninety seconds to make, so it works on a Tuesday in the middle of winter with three people in your kitchen and no plan.
Here's how to make it, how to batch it, and how to keep it out of the shards-on-the-tiles category of drink.
Why this one works when it's cold
Classic margaritas are all citrus and salt. Sharp, bright, a bit thin when the weather isn't doing you any favours. Adding coconut cream changes the texture. You get something rounder and creamier that still finishes with lime and heat.
The jalapeño is where the interest sits. Two slices shaken with the mix gives you warmth on the back of the throat without turning the drink into a dare.
If you want more, add a third slice and let it sit for a minute before you shake.
The Winter Spicy Margarita
Makes 1 drink. Prep time: 2 minutes.
You'll need
- 45ml coconut tequila
- 30ml pineapple juice
- 20ml fresh lime juice
- 15ml coconut cream or coconut milk
- 2 jalapeño slices
- Ice
Method
- Add the tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, coconut cream and jalapeño slices to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds. You want it properly cold and a little frothy on top.
- Strain into a Bubble Cup over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a jalapeño slice.
Use fresh lime. Bottled juice has a flat, slightly cooked taste that shows up immediately in a drink this simple. It's the one shortcut that isn't worth taking.
Batching it for guests
Multiply every measure by the number of people coming, minus the ice, and mix it in a jug before anyone arrives.
Keep the jalapeño out of the batch and add slices to each cup instead, otherwise the heat keeps building while the jug sits there and your last drink is twice as spicy as your first.
Chill the batch for at least an hour. When people arrive you're pouring over ice, not standing at the bench with a shaker while everyone waits.
Rough guide for six: 270ml coconut tequila, 180ml pineapple juice, 120ml lime juice, 90ml coconut cream.
The cup is doing more than you think
A drink this pale looks best in something clean and matte, and a spicy marg gets held a lot. Passed around, put down on outdoor tables, carried between the kitchen and wherever everyone's ended up.
STYLD. Bubble Cups are made from premium food-safe silicone. They don't sweat the way glass does, they don't slip out of a hand that's been holding a cold drink for twenty minutes, and they don't break when someone's third one goes over. BPA, phthalate and BPS-free, so nothing leaches into a drink sitting on ice.
The practical upside for hosting: you stop keeping a "good set" back for guests. Everything in the cupboard becomes something you'd happily hand someone.
Swaps and variations
No coconut tequila? Use blanco tequila and increase the coconut cream to 20ml.
Want it sweeter? 5ml of agave syrup. Add it before you shake so it dissolves.
Making it non-alcoholic? Swap the tequila for 45ml of coconut water and add an extra 10ml of lime. You lose the bite from the spirit, so bump the jalapeño to three slices.
Prefer a salted rim? Chilli salt over regular. Run a lime wedge around the rim first so it sticks.
FAQ
Can I use a different chilli?
Yes. Serrano gives you more heat and less of the grassy flavour jalapeño brings. A pinch of chilli flakes works if that's what's in the cupboard, though you'll want to strain the drink properly.
How far ahead can I batch this?
Up to 24 hours in the fridge. The coconut cream may separate slightly, so stir it before pouring.
Is coconut cream or coconut milk better?
Coconut cream gives you a thicker, richer drink. Coconut milk keeps it lighter and lets the lime through more. Both work.
What glass should I use if I don't have a Bubble Cup?
Any short tumbler. A rocks glass or stemless wine glass holds the volume and ice comfortably.
Reusable. Unbreakable. Made for every LifeSTYLD.
