Make Your Spicy Margaritas Truly Stand Out With One Simple Swap

Mix Tabasco Green Jalapeño Sauce straight into the drink

One key reason to opt for Tabasco Green Jalapeño sauce over grocery store jalapeños or freshly picked peppers is the reliable heat level it delivers, according to Toby Maloney, the creator of this Tabasco-infused margarita and head mixologist at The Violet Hour in Chicago, as he shared with Punch magazine. Pepper enthusiasts are aware that the heat can vary significantly from one pepper to another—while one might be mild, another could be intensely fiery.

You won’t discover the heat of your pepper until after you’ve prepared your margarita, at which point it’s too late to adjust. In contrast, using bottled Tabasco allows you to precisely control the heat level of your drink, ensuring consistency with every serving. Just ½ to 1 teaspoon of the sauce is all you need—unless you’re feeling particularly adventurous.

If you have other brands of hot sauce in your kitchen, feel free to experiment with them, but Maloney emphasized to Punch that Tabasco Green Jalapeño Sauce offers the perfect balance of flavor and acidity for a margarita. The sauce is mild and derives its vibrant taste from fresh jalapeños. He noted that among all the hot sauces available, the green sauce stands out due to its minimal vinegar taste and pronounced pepper flavor.

Customize your drink according to your tastebuds

As you experiment with your creative twist on the classic margarita, don’t limit your customizations to just the heat levels. There are numerous unconventional ways to craft delicious, albeit unique, versions of this drink. Consider incorporating additional citrus juices, berries, mango, or other flavors, or tweaking the ingredient ratios to suit your taste.

While the official Tabasco spicy margarita recipe and similar ones typically omit added sugar, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. If you find your palate craving a touch of sweetness (or a generous amount) to complement the heat, go ahead and add it. You can blend your spicy margarita with a dash or up to an ounce of your preferred sweetener—both simple syrup and agave syrup harmonize beautifully with the tequila and spicy notes. Alternatively, you can opt for a pre-mixed bottled margarita mix combined with your liquor and hot sauce for a quick and easy spicy delight.