Is there anything better than a margarita? Yes. A cucumber and jalapeno infused margarita! If you’ve not yet tasted this amazing combination of flavors, be sure to make this your next cocktail.
And there is no way you’re going to be sipping on a margarita without chips and dip. So, while you’re at it, you may as well make some guacamole. Our latest favorite is a sweet basil guacamole, featured on the Nutrition Twins blog.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Cookin’ in the Kitchen [with a Margarita]!
Since Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, why not plan a fun Mexican night at home? And remember, celebrations can always take place the weekend before or after (or both)! I don’t know about you, but I could eat tacos everyday of the week! When was the last time you made some awesome Mexican food?
In addition to the sweet basil guac, throw some marinated chicken on the BBQ for healthy [yet very tasty] fajitas. Slice up a red onion and bell peppers, toss them into a hot pan with some oil, salt and pepper and 15-20 minutes later, you’ve got the perfect topping. All that’s left to do is cut up the meat, heat the tortillas (over a real flame, please!) and top with sour cream and salsa. Yum, yum.
If you’re low on time, consider this slow cooker fajita recipe by a fellow dietitian colleague of mine, Kristy who blogs at chocolateslopes.com. It’s perfect if you need to do all your prep in the morning!
Please enjoy these margaritas responsibly. They don’t taste like they’ve got any alcohol in them…can you say, sneak attack? One minute you’re talking sensibly in the kitchen over a bowl of chips and dip, the next thing you know, you’re rockin’ to the music, using your spatula as a mic. Cooking just got a whole lot more fun!
Is it a skinny margarita? Well, I wouldn’t call it “skinny”. But is it worth it? Yes. An 8 oz portion (like the size pictured above) will cost you 500 calories. But you must remember, 8oz is a large cocktail. I could have fooled you and said they were only 250 calories, but then you would have had two…so really, no difference!
Tips For Making Margaritas
Ok, let’s make some margaritas! A couple things first, though:
- Freshly squeezed lime juice only – none of that bottled stuff!
- Simple syrup is so easy to make, and it is vital to this recipe.
- When muddling, do so in a taller, more slender container. And most any long, hard device will work; we used a rolling pin! All you want is something to break down the cucumber.
- The longer you let the cucumber and jalapeno infuse, the better they taste. So if possible, make them earlier in the day to marinade in the refrigerator.
- Any type of orange liquor will work.
- Silver tequila works best in this recipe (versus the gold/yellow stuff).
Cucumber, Jalapeno Margarita Recipe


- 3 cups Simple syrup* (recipe below)
- 3 Jalapenos, halved
- 1 Cucumber, sliced (set some aside for garnish)
- 3 cups Lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 cups Tequila, white or silver
- 2 cups Orange liquor
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- Prepare simple syrup* (recipe below), then set aside in refrigerator.
- Determine your heat preference. If you love heat, leave the seeds and membranes of the jalapenos intact. For medium heat, remove half. For no heat (just flavor), remove all membranes and seeds.
- Into a large liquid measuring cup, add lime juice and halved jalapenos.
- In a taller, non-glass container, add cucumbers and salt.
- Muddle until broken down to release the flavor.
- Add muddled cucumbers to the lime juice and jalapeno mix.
- Measure out tequila and orange liquor and add to infused lime juice.
- Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for as long as you can. The longer it sits, the better the flavor. (Let sit for a minimum of 1 hour.)
- When ready to drink, strain the cucumbers and jalapenos out of the lime juice.
- In a pitcher, add the strained infused lime juice and 3 cups simple syrup.
- Add a couple slices of fresh cucumbers for garnish.
- Dampen and rim your glasses with a mixture of brown sugar and cayenne pepper for an added kick!
- Pour over ice and enjoy!
- In a medium saucepan, heat 3 cups Water and 1.5 cups Granulated white sugar over medium heat.
- Stir until all sugar is thoroughly dissolved.
- Remove from heat, let cool and refrigerate.
- Kcal 490 | Fat 0g | Sat Fat 0g | Chol 0mg | Sodium 32mg | Carb 59g | Fiber 0g | Sugar 41g | Pro 0g
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Wow, yum! Never occurred to me to put those flavors all together! I hopped from the Pinterest link over to here so I could comment! 🙂
I appreciate you doing that! Do let me know if you make them!
Mexican food is absolutely my favorite to eat and cook! This creative flavor combo sounds like the perfect match for a Cinco party!
Okay- those look SO REFRESHING AND YUMMY!!!! Perfect spring/summer drink! I pinned for future use. 🙂
Ooh, they are! Thanks!