• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Entrees
    • Lunch
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Dog-Friendly
  • Life
    • Travels
    • Gift Guides
  • About
    • About Sues
    • Work With Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Newsletter

We are not Martha logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • About
  • Contact
  • Where I've Been
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Life
    • About
    • Contact
    • Where I've Been
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Γ—

    Home Β» Drinks Β» Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

    Jul 8, 2011 Β· Modified: Feb 10, 2019 by Sues Β· This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads Β· View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer Β· 40 Comments

    Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Of all the margaritas in the world, there is none more delicious than the spicy grapefruit margarita. It's a little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and with the perfect kick from habanero-infused tequila.

    (This recipe for Spicy Grapefruit Margaritas was originally posted in July 2011, but was updated with new photos in 2019).

    Head-on view of a spicy grapefruit margarita in a mason jar with lime and grapefruit garnish and recipe name at top of imageMeet your new drink of summer. "Hello, new drink of summer, nice to meet you." Take a good look because I think you'll be getting to know each other veryyy well this summer. Thank goodness this drink is easy on the eyes. Not to mention the taste buds. The second had a sip of this spicy grapefruit margarita I knew it was going to be my drink of summer. I mean, habanero infused tequila? That beats even the jalapeño infused vodka I made last month. Because really, habanero trumps jalapeño every time. Sorry jalapeño, you know I still love you. Facts are facts.

    SPICY GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITA RECIPE

    Everyone needs a drink of summer. And it should be cool and refreshing... But with a nice kick. Because what's summer without a little spice? After an entire week went by, I decided it couldn't wait one more second and I whipped these up for a 4th of July BBQ. Before you make these, just know that the tequila and habanero needs 3 hours to steep. Luckily I had exactly 3 hours. Some things are just meant to be.

    If you know me, you know I'm pretty grapefruit obsessed. As in, I eat several each week. I highly recommend making this cocktail with fresh grapefruit juice, but if you're really pressed on time and want a super quick margarita, you can use store-bought juice. But since you've got to steep that habanero tequila for 3 hours, you may as well use that time to squeeze the juice out of those grapefruits!

    In fact, you can certainly let the habaneros steep in the tequila even longer than 3 hours, but you should be warned that your tequila will just keep getting spicier and spicier the longer you leave it. My husband has a mason jar of tequila that's been steeping for like 3 years and even though I can handle a lot of spice, just smelling that tequila practically makes me pass out. So, use your own discretion. And certainly feel free to make more than the cup that is made for this recipe.

    Head-on view of mason jar filled with tequila and habanero pepper halves

    Other than steeping the tequila and squeezing the juice out of your grapefruits, all you need to do is salt the rims of your glasses and pour in the juice and tequila. Garnish with a lime and grapefruit slice and your spicy grapefruit margarita is ready to enjoy!

    Head-on close-up view of spicy grapefruit margarita with grapefruit and lime garnish with salt on marble surface

    I mean, really? This drink is perfection to me.

    It's the kind of cocktail where at first you might be like, "Whoa! Too much spice!" But then the more you sip on it, the more you really start to enjoy it. The hot kick combined with the cold icy sweetness was incredible and perfect for a steamy July evening.

    Landscape view of two spicy grapefruit margaritas in mason jars on marble tray, surrounded by grapefruit wedges, lime wedges, and habanero peppers

    And honestly, I think it's just about the prettiest drink ever. It looks so innocent being all pretty and pink, doesn't it? Little would you suspect the punch it brings! I've made this grapefruit margarita several times and the boldness of the color will definitely depend on your grapefruits. Sometimes my margaritas are a bit of a paler pink and sometimes they're nice and bold. I love the brightness, which is why I recommend ruby red grapefruit... But if you can't find it, you can certainly use pink grapefruit.

    Have I mentioned I love summer? Plus, today equals one week until a nice much-needed vacation. Lake Chautauqua, here I come! Please prepare your nice weather for us πŸ™‚ And I will prepare the spicy grapefruit margaritas. Deal?

    Head-on view of a spicy grapefruit margarita in a mason jar with lime and grapefruit garnish

    Happy Cocktail Friday! I hope your weekend is all kinds of cool with a spicy kick!

    What will you be sipping on this weekend?

    If you're looking for more margarita recipes, check out my Frozen Peach Margaritas or my Blackberry Lemonade Margaritas. I'm also obsessed with these Blood Orange Strawberry Margaritas from Celebrating Sweets.

    Spicy Grapefruit Margarita -- Of all the margaritas in the world, there is none more delicious than the spicy grapefruit margarita. It's a little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and with the perfect kick from habanero-infused tequila | wearenotmartha.com

    Spicy Grapefruit Margarita

    Of all the margaritas in the world, there is none more delicious than the spicy grapefruit margarita. It's a little bit sweet, a little bit tart, and with the perfect kick from habanero-infused tequila.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Eclectic
    Keyword: Cocktails, grapefruit, Habanero, Margaritas
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Tequila Steeping Time: 3 hours
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Makes: 4 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup tequila
    • 1 habanero pepper, sliced in half
    • Sea salt, for glass rims
    • 3 cups freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice (from about 3 grapefruits)
    • 4 lime wedges, for garnish
    • 4 grapefruit wedges, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Pour the tequila in a mason jar or other container and add the habanero. Let steep for about 3 hours (you can leave the habanero in longer, but beware that the tequila will get spicier and spicier the longer it sits).
    • Place sea salt on a s mall plate. Brush rims of glasses with water or simple syrup and roll to coat in sea salt. Fill glasses with ice.
    • Divide grapefruit juice between glasses (using ΒΎ cup for each). Pour 2 oz. habanero tequila into each glass. Stir. Garnish glasses with lime and grapefruit wedges if desired.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
    Tweet
    Share
    Pin155
    Yum18
    Share
    173 Shares
    « Sausage Panzanella
    Open-Faced Prosciutto and Plum Sandwiches »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says

      July 08, 2011 at 8:48 am

      LOVE!!

    2. Baking Serendipity says

      July 08, 2011 at 8:55 am

      These margaritas are adorable in the mason jars!

    3. Emily @ A Cambridge Story says

      July 08, 2011 at 9:01 am

      The mason jars are perfect! I need to try this spicy cocktail making thing soon.

    4. Mal says

      July 08, 2011 at 9:07 am

      I saw this in Bon Appetit and was wondering about it as well! It looks fantastic.

    5. Nisrine M. says

      July 08, 2011 at 9:18 am

      It sounds fantastic and I love it served in mason jars.

    6. Spike says

      July 08, 2011 at 9:37 am

      Hello, new drink of summer! looks perfect

    7. sweeter salt says

      July 08, 2011 at 9:56 am

      I've recently discovered my love for silver tequila (after many years of hating it) so this sounds delicious. I recently had a grapefruit / tequila cocktail at a restaurant so now I want to try it on my own - yum!

      Laura

    8. A.Judy says

      July 08, 2011 at 10:05 am

      The Lake is waiting for all of you.........can't control the weather but can guarantee the creation of many happy memories.......can't wait!!

    9. briarrose says

      July 08, 2011 at 10:44 am

      Now that is a drink with some kick to it. πŸ˜‰ Love the jars as serving glasses.

    10. Liz @ Blog is the New Black says

      July 08, 2011 at 10:51 am

      Do you deliver?

    11. Daisy says

      July 08, 2011 at 10:51 am

      fantastic drink! I need to make this one next!

    12. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      July 08, 2011 at 11:37 am

      This has some of my very favorite things ever! I love that you used mason jars. This weekend I'll be sipping on some wine we recently bought, but I bet I can sneak in a cocktail (or five) πŸ˜‰

    13. Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living says

      July 08, 2011 at 11:39 am

      These margaritas sound great, and I love that you served them in Ball jars!

    14. Erica says

      July 08, 2011 at 2:37 pm

      Seriously- mason jars make every drink awesome! But this sounds so intriguing! I love the idea of adding some spicy kick to a grapefruit beverage. And your intro to this post made me laugh πŸ™‚ Have a great weekend

    15. Lauren says

      July 08, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      Grapefruit is so refreshing in the summer!

    16. Jackie says

      July 08, 2011 at 5:45 pm

      This looks SO yum. I wanna go home and start drinkin' early!! =)

    17. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says

      July 08, 2011 at 9:47 pm

      the salt is perfect- i like when it's coarse grain like that! major props for whipping up such a yummy drink! πŸ™‚

    18. Jenn's Food Journey says

      July 08, 2011 at 10:49 pm

      Habanero in my drink?? Yes, please! Better make it 2!!! πŸ™‚

    19. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says

      July 09, 2011 at 12:22 am

      Habanero infused tequila? Oh yes! I can tell we're going to be good friends. πŸ™‚

    20. Simone says

      July 09, 2011 at 4:06 am

      O that looks lovely! Now if only the weather here would improve this would be perfect for one of those long hot summerdays!

    21. Michelle Collins says

      July 09, 2011 at 11:53 am

      These look awesome! It's my birthday tomorrow, so I'll probably be sipping on any cocktail that's within reach. πŸ˜‰

    22. Michelle says

      July 09, 2011 at 12:03 pm

      I firmly believe that everything tastes better when it is served in a mason jar! Happy weekend!

    23. Kerstin says

      July 09, 2011 at 12:20 pm

      More drinks should contain grapefruit juice - these look amazing! i love those mason jars too!

    24. Shannon @ A Pinch of Ginger says

      July 09, 2011 at 12:43 pm

      This looks amazing! I know what I'm drinking tonight πŸ™‚

    25. Cooking with Coley says

      July 09, 2011 at 5:29 pm

      I love grapefruit. I love The Meat House. I love summer too and this post. πŸ™‚

    26. Nicole @ itsfeedingtimeatthezoo says

      July 10, 2011 at 6:58 am

      Wow. Grapefruit margs sound absolutely excellent. I wonder if the heartburn would be worse or better than limes? I'll have to try them to figure that out.

    27. Olga Duate says

      July 10, 2011 at 11:07 am

      Preparing different drinks for my birthday in August-----I have chosen this as one of them --Spicy Margarita drink ---will let you know soon<3

    28. emily @ the happy home says

      July 10, 2011 at 12:17 pm

      ohhhh, yummy. last night, over some regular margaritas, i realized that tequila is my new favorite booze. making these soon!

    29. Maria @ Scandifoodie says

      July 10, 2011 at 2:28 pm

      Looks like the perfect summer drink!

    30. miri leigh says

      July 10, 2011 at 2:35 pm

      Love the mason jars and the added kick!

    31. Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says

      July 11, 2011 at 7:57 am

      Um, adorable! I love it. And especially love the mason jars for serving! I NEED to get some mason jars!!

    32. Joanne says

      July 11, 2011 at 7:57 am

      I have some serious grapefruit love (though it has taken me 24 years to get there!) so I'm pretty sure this needs to be MY drink of summer, as well!

    33. Vanessa says

      July 11, 2011 at 1:31 pm

      Pretty! Cocktail Monday? Post more...

    34. Maya @ Maya - Kitchenette says

      March 02, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      awww sues.. This spicy grapefruit margarita looks so exotic !! πŸ™‚

    35. Linda DStrayer says

      March 31, 2016 at 7:53 am

      Spicy Grapefruit Margarita. It is really great!!! Want to try it now. Love it.

    36. om vishnu says

      August 01, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      It is really great

    37. zingalalaa.com says

      August 28, 2017 at 6:58 am

      Everyone needs a drink of summer. And it should be cool and refreshing

    38. Karly says

      February 13, 2019 at 8:25 pm

      Yes please!!

    39. wilhelmina says

      February 19, 2019 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      This is my new favorite marg recipe!

    40. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      February 19, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      Spicy drinks are so fun! Can't wait to try this one!

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Sues

    Hi and thanks for visiting! I started We are not Martha to show you how to make recipes that impress without stress, including easy weeknight dinners, delightful desserts, + lots of cocktails.

    Learn More...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Easter Recipes:

    • Cadbury Creme Egg Ice Cream
    • Easter Oreo Bark
    • Cadbury Mini Egg Scones
    • Chai Carrot Cake Scones
    • Jelly Bean Ice Cream
    • Apple Spice Glazed Ham

    Mother's Day Recipes:

    • Shaved Asparagus Salad
    • Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
    • Iced Lavender Latte
    • Strawberry Crepes
    • Lemon Pepper Asparagus
    • Strawberry Souffle

    Popular Now

    • Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce
    • Momofuku Milk Bar's Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
    • Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
    • Chicken Dog Treats

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Sues
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me

    BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY AMAZON SHOP TO DISCOVER SOME OF MY FAVORITE COOKING AND BAKING ITEMS THAT I USE IN MY OWN KITCHEN. WE ARE NOT MARTHA IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM. ORDERING ANY PRODUCTS MENTIONED HERE ARE AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

    Copyright Β© 2022 WE ARE NOT MARTHA