I feel like we've earned a cocktail this week, don't you think?
I think we have. That's my vote. I'm going to be frank with you and let you know that I'm not a margarita girl. Not one bit.
I'm more of bourbon on the rocks girl. I'm a fancy (or even cheap) kinda beer girl. I can be a wine girl, sometimes. Definitely a gin and tonic kinda girl. But never a girl who craves margs. But if I am gonna be that girl, the drank has gotta be spicy. I love a spicy margarita...but not too, too spicy either or else I'll be that girl who eats all the chips trying to extinguish the jalapeño fire. I'm complicated.
I drank the last of this while watching this week's Nashville and almost freaked out. If you're not watching this show, you're missing out on so much scandal, big hair, sequins and country music. It really is a dream of a show.
Look at this demon! She's so nosey.
She's also my trusty blogging partner. She usually gets a taste of something (if it's deemed safe). On this day it was a few slices of cucumber. No jalapeño! No tequila! (She's not of age.)
This is perfect for dieciseis de mayo. (Do you see what I did there?) I understand that this margarita probably should've posted around cinco de mayo but seriously who cares. These are perfect for right now.
Ingredients
- 3 cucumbers peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ cup white granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup tequila
- 2 tablespoons triple sec
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice 3-4 limes
- 1 jalapeño sliced
Glass Rim:
- 2 tablespoons Maldon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime zest
Instructions
- To the jar of a food processor, add the chopped cucumber and pulse until the mixture turns smooth. Run the puree through a sieve, discarding the pulp, and reserving the cucumber juice. You should end up with 1 ½ cup of cucumber juice; set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat on medium low until the sugar dissolves.
- To a pitcher, mix together the cucumber juice, tequila, triple sec, lime juice and jalapeño . Add half of the simple syrup and do a taste test. Adjust according to taste: add more simple syrup if you'd like it to be a bit sweeter.
- Transfer to the refrigerator so the jalapeño has time to spice the mixture. Check the mixture every 15-20 minutes and do a taste test. I was happy with the spice level at the 1 hour mark.
- On a plate, mix together the salt, sugar and lime zest. Run a lime around the edge of the glasses to moisten; dip the rims in the salt and sugar mixture. Add a few ice cubes to each glass and divide the margarita mixture between the glasses. Garnish with a few slices of jalapeño or lime or even a few slices of cucumber.
Cookie and Kate says
I've been pretty lazy this week so I'm not entirely sure I *deserve* a cocktail. However! I have some cucumbers and jalapeno in the fridge that will go bad if I don't turn them into margaritas pronto so I'll be making these this weekend. P.s. l want to drink bourbon with you sometime! How do we make that happen?
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
Spicy+Boozy=Dreamy
M.C.@ ThousandStoryKitchen says
Indeed, any time is right for a yummy cocktail like this! Gonna have to make a batch and try it with Nashville. You're not the first to recommend it to me...hmmm.
Kasha the FarmGirl says
I could drink a pitcher of these. Dear LORD!
I love hot pepper in drinks, especially fruity ones. Try peach 😀
Eileen says
Cucumber in a margarita? I would never have thought of this one! Sounds super refreshing. 🙂
Michelle says
I am not a marg girl either unless it's spicy, too. Regular ones are soooooo dang sweet. Might as well have rum in it (gross).
Loving the lime rim!
Dogs make the best blog partners. They clean up dishes like no other!
Eric says
I wish I'd had this yesterday!! I would have gone perfectly with the Ahi tuna tostadas last night!!
Jesi says
How much jalapeño are you using? Looks delicious! 🙂
Adrianna Adarme says
Gracious! I missed adding that. It's in there now!
tina says
this looks amaze balls! and that pic with amelia's face oh my word!!! cuteness 🙂 seriously bourbon on the rocks?? ur a rock star! happy weekend love!!
Nicola says
New to this blog, I love it! Although I'm kind of reading backwards because it's winter in Australia and I can't really cope with not drinking margaritas right now 🙂
http://www.mindfulgrateful.blogspot.com
steph @ stephsapartmentkitchen says
Oh man, we must be soul sisters because
1. I usually go for whiskey drinks but when it's nice out, I'm a sucker for a spicy margarita! Thank you for posting this. The cucumber must add such a great flavor. I'm sure it would go really well in a gin and tonic too 🙂
2. Nashville was CRAZY! So much happened in the last five minutes. Also, is Connie Britton a walking dream or what??
Adrianna Adarme says
She has the dreamiest hair. And I can't believe the Scarlett and Gunner thing and the murder thing. And omg. Just too much.
steph@stephsbitebybite says
What a SPICY way to kick off the weekend!
Tieghan says
Love that floating Jalapeno!!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I feel like I know so much about your drinking preferences now!! haha this looks fabulous!
DessertForTwo says
It's so common in Texas to have a raw jalapeno floating in your marg. It's amazing. Love this recipe! 🙂