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).
Meet 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.
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!
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.
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 🙂 And I will prepare the spicy grapefruit margaritas. Deal?
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
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 ¾ cup for each). Pour 2 oz. habanero tequila into each glass. Stir. Garnish glasses with lime and grapefruit wedges if desired.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
LOVE!!
Baking Serendipity says
These margaritas are adorable in the mason jars!
Emily @ A Cambridge Story says
The mason jars are perfect! I need to try this spicy cocktail making thing soon.
Mal says
I saw this in Bon Appetit and was wondering about it as well! It looks fantastic.
Nisrine M. says
It sounds fantastic and I love it served in mason jars.
Spike says
Hello, new drink of summer! looks perfect
sweeter salt says
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
A.Judy says
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!!
briarrose says
Now that is a drink with some kick to it. 😉 Love the jars as serving glasses.
Liz @ Blog is the New Black says
Do you deliver?
Daisy says
fantastic drink! I need to make this one next!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
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) 😉
Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living says
These margaritas sound great, and I love that you served them in Ball jars!
Erica says
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 🙂 Have a great weekend
Lauren says
Grapefruit is so refreshing in the summer!
Jackie says
This looks SO yum. I wanna go home and start drinkin' early!! =)
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
the salt is perfect- i like when it's coarse grain like that! major props for whipping up such a yummy drink! 🙂
Jenn's Food Journey says
Habanero in my drink?? Yes, please! Better make it 2!!! 🙂
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
Habanero infused tequila? Oh yes! I can tell we're going to be good friends. 🙂
Simone says
O that looks lovely! Now if only the weather here would improve this would be perfect for one of those long hot summerdays!
Michelle Collins says
These look awesome! It's my birthday tomorrow, so I'll probably be sipping on any cocktail that's within reach. 😉
Michelle says
I firmly believe that everything tastes better when it is served in a mason jar! Happy weekend!
Kerstin says
More drinks should contain grapefruit juice - these look amazing! i love those mason jars too!
Shannon @ A Pinch of Ginger says
This looks amazing! I know what I'm drinking tonight 🙂
Cooking with Coley says
I love grapefruit. I love The Meat House. I love summer too and this post. 🙂
Nicole @ itsfeedingtimeatthezoo says
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.
Olga Duate says
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
emily @ the happy home says
ohhhh, yummy. last night, over some regular margaritas, i realized that tequila is my new favorite booze. making these soon!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
Looks like the perfect summer drink!
miri leigh says
Love the mason jars and the added kick!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says
Um, adorable! I love it. And especially love the mason jars for serving! I NEED to get some mason jars!!
Joanne says
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!
Vanessa says
Pretty! Cocktail Monday? Post more...
Maya @ Maya - Kitchenette says
awww sues.. This spicy grapefruit margarita looks so exotic !! 🙂
Linda DStrayer says
Spicy Grapefruit Margarita. It is really great!!! Want to try it now. Love it.
om vishnu says
It is really great
zingalalaa.com says
Everyone needs a drink of summer. And it should be cool and refreshing
Karly says
Yes please!!
wilhelmina says
This is my new favorite marg recipe!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Spicy drinks are so fun! Can't wait to try this one!