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One of the benefits of living next door to the city’s largest farmer’s market is shopping on the days after the crowds have left.
Because on Saturdays and Sundays? It’s chaos.
On Monday morning? Crickets, I tell you. Plus lots and lots of discounted produce. :)
This week when I strolled over on Monday to see what was left, there happened to be zillions of huge watermelons, each for about $2. Who can pass up an enormous, ripe, juicy, red watermelon for $2? Not this food blogger! So I brought them home and made some more fresh watermelon juice, one of my new summer favorites. And then decided to turn some of it into these tasty Jalapeno Watermelon Margaritas for happy hour!
I have to admit that I have been on a ridiculous jalapeno kick with my drinks this summer. Ever since I shared a round of spicy mango margaritas in Austin with Heidi, Kelley, and Cassie, I have been muddling jalapeno into everything from margaritas to spritzers to mojitos, and just about everything in between. That extra spicy kick just seems to round out a fruity flavor profile so well!
And these Jalapeno Watermelon Margaritas are no exception. The fresh watermelon juice is already naturally super sweet, which pairs perfectly with the tangy lime juice, a splash of orange liqueur and tequila. I ended up just muddling a slice of jalapeno or two into each glass, but you could make a jalapeno simple syrup to add in as well.
However you make them, the fresh ingredients really shine through and celebrate those great flavors of summer! For an extra fresh kick, try freezing some watermelon cubes to use in place of ice. They won’t dilute the flavor of the drink, and look extra cute floating on top too.
Fresh watermelon margaritas are given an extra “kick” with some fresh jalapeños.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups fresh watermelon juice (**see instructions below**)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec (or any orange liqueur)
thin slices of fresh jalapeño
garnish: salt or sugar to rim the glasses, frozen watermelon cubes, lime slices
Instructions
In a shaker, add watermelon juice, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and a slice or two of fresh jalapeño. (Start with less jalapeño and taste test – you can always add more!)
Use a muddler or a wooden spoon to gently muddle the jalapeño to release the flavor. Shake the drink to combine. Pour into salt- or sugar-rimmed glasses, then garnish with watermelon ice cubes and slices of lime if desired.
Notes
**To make fresh watermelon juice, you can either blend up a bunch of watermelon in a blender until smooth. Then strain the juice out through a fine-mesh strainer. (Or if you have a juicer, you can just add the fresh watermelon directly to the juicer.)
YUM! These look gorgeously bright, fresh and delicious. Jalapeno margaritas are my favorite drink in the world, but they may be stepping aside once I make a batch of this pretty pink stuff.
WANT!!! Last summer was the first time I had ever had heat added to a margarita. And now I crave it all the time. There’s just something about that yummy little kick. Your watermelon version sounds, and looks, awesome! Crickets…you’re funny. ;)
Oooh, just had another thought….I really am a gin drinker (top shelf gin ONLY but I won’t name the brand for fear of getting banned from this site), so I’m going to make a batch with gin, too.
p.s. I make gin martinis with muddled jalapeño….told you, I live for the heat. LOL
So bright, cheerful and I’m sure refreshing! Love watermelon so much – always so happy to see it in the summertime!!!
YUM! These look gorgeously bright, fresh and delicious. Jalapeno margaritas are my favorite drink in the world, but they may be stepping aside once I make a batch of this pretty pink stuff.
Um, LOVE. They’re so pretty, too!
Gorgeous!! I would gladly sit and sip one of these margs with you!
Seriously, what could be better than a margarita with a little spice and watermelon?! I will take 4 please!
I love a cocktail with a spicy kick! These sound delicious.
Love it! My boyfriend can’t handle anything spicy, so I’ll have to keep these bad boys all to myself. Poor me.
I want to muddle this drink right into my mouth!!!! #8monthssober
The pictures alone make me excited for this!
I remember those mango jalapeno margaritas in Austin. They were so so good! This looks like an even more delicious version!
I’m on my way …..
Next summer I am awwwwwwwllllll over this.
OMG I love the lil kick the jalapeno would give this drink… after this baby is out will have to try :-)
WANT!!! Last summer was the first time I had ever had heat added to a margarita. And now I crave it all the time. There’s just something about that yummy little kick. Your watermelon version sounds, and looks, awesome! Crickets…you’re funny. ;)
I am making this minus the jalapeno. lol Sounds good!
Love the spicy kick and the photos are just gorgeous!!
Yes PLEASE!!
this drink looks good but i dont at all can i replace tequila
to spark water ?
Ohyes!! I love this drink recipe, sounds so tasty and it’s pretty too!
Oh my. This has me written all over it!
I’m making this tonight…and adding extra jalapeños from my garden. I live for the heat!
Oooh, just had another thought….I really am a gin drinker (top shelf gin ONLY but I won’t name the brand for fear of getting banned from this site), so I’m going to make a batch with gin, too.
p.s. I make gin martinis with muddled jalapeño….told you, I live for the heat. LOL
okay, i cant for the life of me find the instructions for making watermelon juice… heeellp?
Oops! Sorry about that, Summerlynn. The instructions must have gotten lost when we did the site redesign. They’re back up now! :)