Grilled Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita
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Grilled jalapeno simple syrup adds a kick of smokiness & spice to this incredibly refreshing watermelon margarita recipe, perfect for enjoying on a warm summer day!
It’s officially summer, which means it’s time to sip refreshing cocktails by the pool! Some of my summer go-to cocktails are Frozen Coconut Mojitos, Lemon Berry Prosecco Sangria, Frozen Mango Margaritas and now this Grilled Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita!
Now I know what you’re thinking, grilled jalapenos… in a cocktail? But yes, so much yes!
Grilling the jalapenos, then boiling them in sugar water to make a Jalapeno Simple Syrup adds smokey, spicy and sweet flavors to any cocktail. When it’s paired with summer’s most refreshing fruit, watermelon, the combination of flavors is amazing!
Table of contents
Step by step instructions
- Prepare the grilled jalapeno simple syrup.
- Grill the jalapenos on all sides over medium-high heat, until the skins are black and bubbling.
- Remove the stems and dice the grilled jalapenos.
- Add them to a small pot on the stove over high heat with water and sugar.
- Bring to a boil. Boil until the sugar is dissolved.
- Use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the jalapenos.
- Place the jalapeno simple syrup in the refrigerator until chilled.
- Make watermelon juice.
- Blend diced watermelon in a blender until it turns into a liquid.
- Prepare the margaritas.
- Fill two glasses with ice.
- Divide the watermelon juice, jalapeno simple syrup, tequila and lemon juice between the two glasses.
- Stir to combine the ingredients.
- Serve with a grilled jalapeno slice and lemon wedge on the side to garnish.
Can you make it without a blender?
If you don’t have a blender, you can purchase 100% watermelon juice instead of blending the watermelon yourself.
How to grill jalapenos without a grill
If you don’t have a grill, you can place the jalapenos under the broiler in the oven for 2-3 minutes per side to get a similar taste to the grilled jalapenos.
How to make a virgin margarita
Simply leave out the tequila to make a virgin Watermelon Margarita. The combination of the fresh watermelon juice, jalapeno simple syrup and lemon juice makes for a great mocktail without the tequila!
Feel free to top it off with a little soda water to make a sparkling mocktail.
Can I make it with vodka instead of tequila?
Combining the watermelon juice, jalapeno simple syrup and lemon juice with vodka, instead of tequila, totally works! While it wouldn’t really be a margarita at that point, who cares, it’s your cocktail, you do you boo!
More watermelon recipes to try
- Watermelon Mojitos
- Watermelon Serrano Salsa
- Sparkling Grapefruit Watermelon Sangria
- Watermelon Lime Sherbet Float
Tools used to make this recipe
- Outdoor Grill – for summer grilling
- Indoor Grill – for off-season grilling
- Small Saucepan
- Mesh Strainer
- Blender
Don’t forget to pin this Grilled Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita recipe for later and when you make it, be sure to share a pic on Instagram and tag me @WhitneyBond or use the hashtag #WBRecipes!
Grilled Jalapeno Watermelon Margaritas
Ingredients
Grilled Jalapeno Simple Syrup
- 2 jalapenos
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
Watermelon Margarita
- 2 cups watermelon diced
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 3 oz tequila
- 2 oz grilled jalapeno simple syrup
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
Grilled Jalapeno Simple Syrup
- Grill the jalapenos over medium high heat for 6-8 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes. Remove from the grill when the skin is black and bubbling, slice off the stem and dice up the grilled jalapeno.
- Add the diced jalapenos, water and sugar to a small saucepan on the stove over high heat. Bring to a boil, stir constantly until all of the sugar has been dissolved, 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and strain out the jalapenos with a mesh strainer. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita
- Add the diced watermelon to a blender and blend on high for 30-60 seconds.
- Divide the blended watermelon juice between two glasses filled with ice. Add ½ oz lemon juice, 1 ½ oz tequila and 1 oz grilled jalapeno simple syrup to each glass.
- Stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon wheel and jalapeno slice (bonus points if they’re also grilled!)
Notes
- Simple Syrup – you can also make the recipe with traditional simple syrup, made just by boiling the water and sugar together on the stove until the sugar is dissolved. Always cool the simple syrup in the refrigerator before adding it to a cocktail.
- If you don’t have a blender, purchase 100% watermelon juice at the grocery store instead of blending the fresh watermelon yourself.
Nutrition Facts
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