Low Carb, Sugar-free Jalapeño Margaritas

There’s something about a margarita that makes me feel like I don’t have a responsibility or care in the world. Maybe it’s because my typical place of choice to enjoy this beverage is on a beach while on vacation or on a restaurant patio during a lazy weekend while enjoying the beautiful weather.

But, if neither of those is an option for you right now (which is very likely given this current pandemic), then this keto-friendly jalapeño margarita recipe is just the fix to help you feel care-free and toast the upcoming Cinco de Mayo holiday in style.

What Do You Need to Make a Keto-friendly Margarita?

This recipe uses Bacon and Cream’s homemade sugar-free simple syrup that you’re bound to want to use for other elixirs in the future. Using a concoction of stevia, lemon juice, xanthan gum, and water, this stevia dupe is too simple (I guess the name speaks for itself there) and works so flawlessly in mixed drinks that you won’t miss “the real stuff.” The only carbs in this drink come from the limes. The below recipe is 5-6 total carbs depending on the size of your lime.

Special Ingredients in this Sugar-free Jalapeño Margarita

Aside from the simple syrup which is a make-ahead item, this recipe is about as simple as it gets. But, to be fair, I’ve added in the prep time in case you’re making the syrup now, as well. Limes, jalapeño, and tequila. And of course, flavored rimming salt if you’re into that sort of thing!

With that in mind, let’s talk about decorating our beverage. For fun and because I had it on-hand, I’ve used Twangarita Sal de Sangrita rimming salt in the example photos of this recipe. It’s similar in taste to Tajin Clasico with lime seasoning. This brand also makes some other great flavors to give a unique twist to your beverages, like their Paloma Love rimming salt, or their classic Golden Roar citrus rimming salt. I’m not even affiliated with them or being paid to mention them in this recipe, I just think they’re tasty and take your drink to the next level.

If you can’t find a Twangarita pack in a store near you but want the added flavor while sipping this beverage, I absolutely suggest mixing some coarse salt with Tajin seasoning and rimming your glass with that. Otherwise, coarse salt—as listed in the below recipe—works just fine, too.

I also like to garnish my drink with a few more jalapeño slices. Not only does it give an added visual element to my drink, it helps keep the spice level of this cocktail balanced when the ice begins to melt. If you’re not wanting to risk the spice, feel free to garnish with a lime wedge instead.

How to Make a Low Carb Jalapeño Margarita

There’s something so much more sophisticated about having an infused cocktail versus the classic, especially when mastering a drink at home. A basil-infused vodka and club soda with lime just has so much more draw than the simple vodka soda. Similarly, this margarita recipe takes a twist with jalapeño slices. The added kick of jalapeño takes this classic drink up a notch without being overly spicy while adding some fun flavors into the mix to really bring out all of the cocktail’s flavors.

1. To start, you’re going to want to pre-make Bacon and Cream’s Simple Syrup. It takes about 20 minutes and will last you 4-6 cocktails, depending on how sweet you like them!
2. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass. Pour your coarse rimming salt onto a small plate then carefully roll the rim of the glass into the salt until the entire rim is salted. Fill the cocktail glass with ice.
3. Fill a shaker with ice and add the tequila, lime juice, jalapeno slices, and simple syrup. It doesn’t matter what order you put them in, as long as they all fit! However, I prefer to put my jalapeños in first and pour my tequila over it first thing so the alcohol can already begin infusing the flavors of the jalapeño as I fill the other ingredients.
4. Secure the lid and shake it like you’re trying to knock some sense into this cocktail! Shake the mixture for a good 30 seconds, which will allow the jalapeño’s oils to better muddle with the tequila and lime juice. Alternatively, you can place the jalapeño slices directly into the tequila and let sit for 15 minutes to let it infuse into the liquor, then proceed to shake with the other ingredients. However, this is faster and works just as well in my book.
5. Strain the mixture into the cocktail glass. Feel free to garnish with a few more jalapeño slices as mentioned before, or perhaps a lime wedge (or heck, maybe even both?! Get crazy with it). Serve immediately and enjoy!

Whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo, looking for zesty drinks for a party, or just want something a little more out of the box to sip on, this spicy twist on a delicious classic will do the trick. I plan to pair my low carb spicy margarita with a loaded taco bowl (fitting seeing as this year’s Cinco de Mayo falls on a Taco Tuesday!) topped with guac. How about you? Stay safe and stay healthy, keto fam.

Low Carb, Keto-friendly Jalapeño Margaritas

These sugar-free cocktails offer a spicy twist on the original sweet tequila drink. Enjoy all the flavor without any of the carb-riddled guilt!

Servings 1 cocktail

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Double jigger
• Cocktail glass

Ingredients

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1/ 2 jalapeño sliced
• 1 large lime juiced (or 3 small limes)
• 3/4 oz homemade sugar-free simple syrup *see notes below for recipe
• Twangarita rimming salt (or sub coarse salt) for rimming glass

Instructions

• Pour your coarse salt into a small plate.
• Rub a lime wedge around the entire rim of the glass to moisten it, then roll the rim of the glass into the salt to get it to stick.
• Fill glass with ice.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and jalapeño slices.
• Shake vigorously for a good 30 seconds.
• Strain mixture into the salted glass. Garnish with extra jalapeño slices and/or an extra lime wedge.
• Serve immediately. Salud!

Notes

• Follow our keto simple syrup recipe to make the homemade sugar-free simple syrup listed in the ingredients. This is a great staple to have on-hand for the occasional cocktail, and SO easy to make!
• We recommend Twangarita Sal de Sangrita rimming salt or Tajin Clasico with lime seasoning to rim the cocktail glass with for a fun twist on the traditional margarita salt.
• When you’re shaking the cocktail shaker, it helps to count out loud or set a timer. 30 seconds is often longer than you think! And this step is important to get all the oils out of the jalapeño and infuse the flavors together prior to straining.
• If the cocktail is too spicy, try de-seeding most of the jalapeño half prior to shaking on the next round, or shaking for less time before straining. 
• This sugar-free cocktail ends up being 5-6 total carbs depending on the size of your lime.

Author: Bacon and Cream

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Keto Cocktails, Mexican

Keyword: Bevarage, Beverages, cocktails, keto cocktails, sugar-free

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