05.05.09

happy cinco de mayo: jalepeño infused tequila

Margaritas are my most favorite cocktail, so when Cinco de Mayo rolls around, you can bet I’m going to be prepared. I recently had a margarita that used jalepeño infused tequila and it kind of rocked my world. Since I know a thing or two about infusing booze, I figured this year I’d take it up a notch by infusing some tequila.

Infusing is so dang easy and it can really jazz up your cocktails. This tequila is a great way to start out because it’s a super quick infusion. A pretty good rule to stick by is the stronger flavor, the quicker the infusion. If you’ve ever cut a jalepeño, you know it’s nothing to mess around with. Depending on your (and perhaps your guests) spice-tolerance, you may or may not want to de-seed the peppers. I’ve tried it both ways and the seeds definitely speed up the process and make for one heck of a spicy tequila, which makes me really happy. Just slice a few peppers, toss them in a jar, pour the tequila over top and seal the jar up. If you left the seeds in, the tequila will be ready for consumption the next day. If you opted for the less spicy version, you’ll want to let the peppers infuse for a few days, since you’ll be getting less spice and more peppery flavor.

Take a straw, dip it in the booze, then put your finger over the top of the straw. The straw should have a little booze in the tip of it. Taste that and see if it’s up to your standards. If it is, strain the peppers from the tequila and shazamm, you’re ready to party. I mixed my spicy tequila with a regualr margarita and it was a spicy beast, but oh so delicious.

jalepeño infused tequila
makes 2 cups

3 jalepeños, sliced with seeds left in place*
2 cups tequila

1
Place the peppers in a mason jar or in the bottle of tequila and pour the tequila over top. Let it sit for at least a day in a dark place (like a cupboard), then open it up and give it a taste.
2
If it tastes good, strain the peppers from the tequila using a cheese cloth or strainer. Pour the liquid back in the original jar and make yourself a margarita.

filed under happy hour |

12 Comments so far

  1. maggie (p&c) May 5th, 2009 8:59 am

    Yum…brilliant. I am so doing this. Would make an awesome margarita with blood orange juice.
    There’s no risk of botulism with infused alcohol, is there?
    & you don’t need to sterilize the jar?

  2. Elyse May 5th, 2009 10:43 am

    Oh, Kelly, what a magnificent drink! Jalapeno infuzed tequila? AMAZING. I want to get my hands on one of these. I’m sorry I haven’t been around to comment. I’m in the middle of law school exams right now, but I promise I’ll make friends with my google reader again soon :) Have a happy Cinquo!

  3. Kelly May 5th, 2009 12:47 pm

    maggie,
    i don’t think you need to sterilize the jar because it has alcohol in it. if you are worried you could definitely sterilize it or just store it in the freezer.

    oh and the original margarita that inspired this whole thing was a blood orange margarita with jalepeno infused tequila, so good call on that one!

    elyse,
    good luck with your exams!

  4. Gabi May 5th, 2009 1:41 pm

    OUCH!

    Just by seeing the pics it HURTS! Great post for 5/5!

    Gabi @ Mamaliga

  5. Dana May 5th, 2009 3:45 pm

    As if tequila didn’t have enough of a bite as it is! Great idea!

  6. nath May 6th, 2009 2:09 am

    woww.. you have a great blog with many beautiful picture and yummy recipes… love it ;)

  7. Sarah May 6th, 2009 8:22 am

    Wow. This is one of the best ideas I’ve come across! Defo have to try this!

  8. Cameron May 6th, 2009 10:31 am

    Holy moly, just the thought of this is rocking my world! It’s like the spiciness of a bloody merry with the refreshing lightness of a margarita. Yes, PLEASE!

    P.S. I love your blog, and wrote about it in a recent post about my must-read blogs: http://cottage-industrialist.com/blog/2009/4/15/rounding-up-the-usual-suspects.html

    Cheers!

  9. kickpleat May 6th, 2009 12:25 pm

    Um, hello? Awesome.

  10. Links! « dee says June 3rd, 2009 3:05 pm

    [...] Make Read shows you how to make Jalapeno infused tequila. [...]

  11. Mmm: Jalepeño Infused Tequila – TeenAngster February 27th, 2010 10:51 am

    [...] as well — the photographs are so tempting) and the directions are totally easy. This recipe for jalapeño infused tequila (for margaritas, natch) is the perfect spring recipe…if the snow stops coming down, that is. [...]

  12. Ian March 10th, 2010 1:23 pm

    Actually made the blood orange spicy margs last night. Tasty stuff, and it’s truly amazing how smoky the tequila becomes after soaking the peppers for just over an hour.

    The roommate wasn’t a big fan, but i’ll be doing this again.

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