Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (2024)

10< 10 IngredientsDFDairy FreeEFEgg-FreeGFGluten FreeGRGrain FreeNFNut-FreePPaleo FriendlyVGVeganVVegetarian

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (1)Lee Funke

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Take classic margaritas up a notch with this grapefruit margarita recipe! Made with grapefruit juice and jalapeño infused tequila, these grapefruit margaritas are equally refreshing and spicy.

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (2)

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We are big fans of fun co*cktails here at Fit Foodie Finds! While we have plenty of margarita recipes to choose from, we don’t have one quite like this. Meet our spicy grapefruit margarita – it’s spicy, sweet, citrusy, and wildly delicious.

This grapefruit margarita recipe is inspired by Linley’s mother-in-law and features jalapeño-infused tequila, lots of lime, and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Shake it all up and serve over ice for a simply irresistible (and gorgeous) co*cktail!

Featured Comment

“Delicious. A summer go to for sure!” – Kelley

What You Need for Grapefruit Margaritas

These co*cktails come together with classic margarita ingredients + a few fun extras:

  • Tequila
  • Fresh lime juice and grapefruit juice
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Simple syrup
  • Ice
Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (3)

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (4)

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Grapefruit Margarita Variations

Have fun with this recipe and mix things up to really make these co*cktails your own!

Tequila: The higher quality the tequila the better-tasting your margs will be.

Spice: For a non-spicy grapefruit margarita, omit the jalapeños completely (use regular tequila) or let the tequila infuse with the peppers for less time (about 10-15 minutes instead of 30).

Simple Syrup: Use our honey simple syrup in place of regular simple syrup for a refined sugar-free option.

Batch co*cktail: This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc. Mix everything up in a pitcher and it’s ready for a crowd! If you know you’ll make these often, make a big batch of the spicy jalapeño tequila. Cut a whole jalapeño and place it in a whole bottle of tequila to use whenever you want.

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (5)

FAQ

Can you use bottled juice?

Freshly squeezed juice is 100x better – don’t use bottled grapefruit or lime juices for these margaritas.

How do you infuse tequila?

For this jalapeño-infused tequila, chop up some jalapeños and let them sit in the tequila for at least 30 minutes. This extra step is so worth it! For super spicy tequila, let the tequila infuse with the peppers overnight.

How do you make these margaritas not spicy?

Simply skip infusing the tequila with the jalapeño slices. The grapefruit margs will be equally as delicious without the spice!

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (6)

Storage

For best results, make these grapefruit margaritas immediately prior to serving.

More of our Favorite…

Margarita Recipes

  • Frozen Margarita
  • Watermelon Margarita
  • Skinny Margarita
  • Frozen Mango Margarita
  • Virgin Margarita

Serving Suggestions

Fun Rims: Get creative and serve these grapefruit margaritas with fun rims! We like to use sea salt + paprika + cayenne + coconut sugar. So good!

Garnishes: Add a fresh slice of grapefruit, lime wedge, or jalapeño round to each glass before serving.

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Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (7)

5 from 8 votes

Grapefruit Margarita Recipe

Put a spicy spin on classic margaritas with this grapefruit margarita recipe. Featuring jalapeño-infused tequila and fresh citrus, it's refreshing and spicy all at the same time!

Prep:5 minutes minutes

Cook:30 minutes minutes

Total:35 minutes minutes

Fat 0

Carbs 14

Protein 0

Yield: 2

Print Rate

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. tequila
  • 2 oz. grapefruit juice
  • 2 oz. lime juice
  • 2 jalapeño slices + more for serving
  • 1 oz. simple syrup
  • 1 – 2 cups ice

Instructions

  • Place tequila in a jar or cup. Then, add in a couple of slices of jalapeños plus the seeds. Let sit for at least 30 minutes so that the tequila can get infused with the spice.

    Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (8)

  • Add 1 to 2 cups of ice to a co*cktail shaker and then pour in the infused tequila. Add the rest of the ingredients. Option to add more simple syrup, depending on your preference.

  • Give the shaker a good shake so that everything gets mixed together.

  • Serve over ice with fresh grapefruit slices, jalapeño slices, and a salty rim.

    Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (9)

Tips & Notes

  • Not Spicy Margaritas: For non-spicy grapefruit margarita, omit the jalapeños completely (use regular tequila) or let the tequila infuse with the peppers for less time (about 10-15 minutes instead of 30).
  • Batch Margaritas: This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc. Mix everything up in a pitcher and it’s ready for a crowd! If you know you’ll make these often, make a big batch of the spicy jalapeño tequila. Cut a whole jalapeño and place it in a whole bottle of tequila to use whenever you want.

Watch It

Nutrition facts

Calories: 125kcal Carbohydrates: 14g Protein: 0g Fat: 0g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 10g

Author: Lee Funke

Similar recipes:

  • Strawberry Margarita

  • Ultimate Margarita

  • 5-Minute Frozen Margarita Recipe

  • Spicy Mezcal Margaritas

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Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (14)

About Lee Funke

Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.

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Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (18)

Posted on 4/17/2023

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (19)
This is a huge hit with my mum. I’m not usually a margarita enthusiast, but even I can’t resist this fiery grapefruit version.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (20)

Posted on 9/9/2021

Recipe Rating :

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (21)
Love the idea of making grapefruit margarita. Makes me watery how yummy it would be. will try it soon

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (22)

Crystal O'Neal

Posted on 4/9/2020

Recipe Rating :

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (23)
This is such a fun drink!! Great flavor combo.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (24)

Posted on 2/25/2019

Recipe Rating :

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (25)
My mom LOVES this. Even I enjoy this spicy grapefruit margarita, and I am not a big fan of margaritas.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (26)

Rachel

Posted on 12/7/2018

This looks great! You might like the Jalapeno Limeade at Trader Joe’s. It makes amazing co*cktails!

1

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (27)

Mark

Posted on 6/1/2018

This drink looks, and sounds awesome, but alas I’m one of those who cannot drink grapefruit (even though I love it). I will be happy to share and make this for others though!

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (28)

Candice

Posted on 5/28/2018

I’m ready to try these like now! How do you make your simple syrup? Anything special or the norm?

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 5/29/2018

Reply to Candice

Hi! I actually love making a honey-based simple syrup. You can follow the recipe we have for that HERE (without the ginger): https://fitfoodiefinds.com/raspberry-ginger-mojitos/

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (30)

Posted on 5/21/2018

This is super COOL my friends ? Spicy Margaritas sound amazing since I also drink salty ones. You really ROCK IT! xD

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (31)

Posted on 5/20/2018

Love making fun co*cktail drinks at home, especially during the warm summer months!

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (32)

Posted on 7/28/2017

This Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas looks yummi, and it is the best drink for hot summer! I found your post from Pinterest ! Thanks for sharing, Lee!

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 7/28/2017

Reply to Jill Roberts

Thanks Jill! I hope you love it 🙂

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (34)

arshineh

Posted on 7/25/2017

What type of salt is best used for rimming glasses? Also your photos seem even more beautiful with the orange salt rim, what does that include?

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 7/28/2017

Reply to arshineh

Hi! I believe we used sea salt + a little chili powder. Ahh I can’t remember! But pink himalayan sea salt would be gorgeous on the rim!

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (36)

Posted on 3/15/2017

Recipe Rating :

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (37)
Yeah, I’m considering the big batch for a rooftop happy hour Friday and thinking I may need to put in the jalapenos towards the end since they’ll be sitting in there longer. Looks super tasty and refreshing and makes me wish we were back in the 70s where we were last week :p.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (38)

Kristen

Posted on 2/7/2017

Have you ever made this in a big batch?? Planning on making this for a party and seems kind of daunting to have equal amounts of grapefruit juice and lime juice!

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 2/9/2017

Reply to Kristen

I have not made a big batch of this! Typically most margaritas are made with 100% lime juice, so the 50/50 ratio was on point to make them grapefruity!

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (40)

Desiree Serrato

Posted on 5/7/2016

What ingredients were used for the salted rim?

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 5/9/2016

Reply to Desiree Serrato

Here’s what we used for the rim —> sea salt + paprika + cayenne + coconut sugar.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (42)

Sarah Lang

Posted on 5/18/2021

Reply to Lee Funke

tajin spice makes a really nice rim and goes with citrus really well!

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (43)

Posted on 3/30/2016

Recipe Rating :

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (44)
This looks very refreshing! ?

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (45)

Posted on 3/15/2016

Ohhhh I need to try this. I’m not usually a tequila person but this sounds amazeballs.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (46)

Posted on 3/14/2016

BRING ME BACK!!!!! All the margs!

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 3/14/2016

Reply to Davida @ The Healthy Maven

WHY DOES FFF STILL THINK YOU ARE SPAM. OH WAIT…BC YOU’VE BEEN STALKING ME SINCE 1990.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (48)

Posted on 3/14/2016

Reply to Lee Funke

Since 1989 in fact. I’ve been stalking you since before you were conceived.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (49)

Posted on 3/14/2016

Lee, these looks amazing, I’ll take two 🙂 thanks for sharing!

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (50)

Posted on 3/14/2016

I’ve never had a spicy margarita. I really need to try this. It’s supposed to be 90 here this week!

Reply

Lee Funke

Posted on 3/14/2016

Reply to Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious

90 DEGREES OMG.

Reply

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita Recipe? ›

The secret to the perfect margarita, we discovered, is to skip Cointreau/orange liqueur altogether and replace it with freshly squeezed orange juice. The difference is remarkable.

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

The secret to the perfect margarita, we discovered, is to skip Cointreau/orange liqueur altogether and replace it with freshly squeezed orange juice. The difference is remarkable.

How to make a margarita mix better? ›

Adding fruit like mango can add a lot more flavor to your margaritas. While a classic margarita with lime is certainly tasty, adding other fruits can kick your drinks up a notch. Simply blend diced mango chunks along with the rest of your margarita ingredients, then pour into a glass of ice.

Why do you put triple sec in margaritas? ›

Hear me out: The thinking behind Cointreau is that it adds sugar to balance out the heat of the tequila and the acid that comes with freshly squeezed lime juice. But in the process, the stuff ends up obscuring those very two ingredients that define the margarita.

How to make flaming margaritas? ›

Take your sugar cube and pour the 151 rum on it so it soaks through then carefully balance this on top of your lime round. Now the trickiest part — light the sugar cube on fire — we highly recommend a long match or long lighter so your hands aren't too close. And there you have it, a flaming margarita!

What is a dirty margarita made of? ›

Combine tequila, olive juice, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the glass over ice cubes. Garnish with olives and onions.

What is a substitute for triple sec in a margarita? ›

If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For a non-alcoholic substitute you can add fresh orange juice, or agave nectar/simple syrup, to add a touch of sweetness.

What makes restaurant margaritas so good? ›

Just as important as the style of tequila is the use of a high-quality orange liqueur. Part of the Daisy category of co*cktails, the Margarita calls for triple sec such as Cointreau for sweetness and balance. Though some may opt for agave nectar instead, the addition of the liqueur is what makes a true Margarita.

What is the formula for a margarita? ›

In the end, a good Margarita is a question of proportions. It is a simple formula: 2 – 1 – ½ . 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, ½ part cointreau. I like to measure in ounces, because the correct proportions, measured as 2 ounces, 1 ounce, ½ ounces make the perfect sized drink for the glasses I like to use.

What margarita mix do most restaurants use? ›

The two most popular mixes that restaurants use for margaritas are Zing Zang Margarita Mix and Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Original Margarita Mix.

Which is better for margaritas triple sec or Grand Marnier? ›

Can they replace Triple Sec? Both Grand Marnier and Cointreau are excellent replacements for Triple Sec when making a Margarita. In fact, both of these are significantly more expensive and are considered to be better than inexpensive Triple Sec both in quality and taste.

What does extra dirty margarita mean? ›

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

Can I skip triple sec in margarita? ›

To balance the co*cktail's acidity, triple sec is absolutely necessary for traditional Margaritas, according to Bailon. “Without triple sec, we fall into a different co*cktail category, which is the sour,” she explains.

What is a spicy margarita made of? ›

Rub the rim of a rocks glass with a lime wedge, dip the rim in salt to coat, and set aside. Add the jalapeño coins to a shaker and gently muddle. Add the blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup, plus ice, and shake until well-chilled. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

What is a bomb margarita? ›

Impress your guests with this Cherry Bomb Margarita. I take a classic margarita to the next level by adding a fresh cherry and mint ice cube. As you sip your co*cktail, this oversized cube melts and your drink continues to evolve. The egg white adds a frothy creamy texture to this ultimate summer co*cktail.

What is a real margarita made of? ›

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

What are truly margaritas made of? ›

Made with real lime juice concentrate, agave nectar and sea salt to deliver a unique mix of sweet, sour, salty and refreshing flavor in every sip. Bring a Truly pack to your next tailgate for the win!

What was the original margarita made with? ›

The "Original Margarita" recipe, as given by Cointreau on their website, has slightly more of their own sweet liqueur: 1 part white tequila, 1⁄2 part Cointreau, and 1⁄2 part fresh squeezed lime juice.

What makes a margarita taste like a margarita? ›

A Margarita is said to have all five main tasting notes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami, making it a perfectly balanced drink. It has a strong citrus flavour from the presence of lime juice and triple sec - an orange-flavoured liqueur.

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