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Recipe

Spicy Serrano and Cucumber Margarita

A balanced and refreshing cocktail from Mexico City 

By Wayne Curtis
Adapted from Despacho Margarita

August/September 2026

A spicy green margarita

Photo: Johnny Autry

Oscar Valle’s spicy margarita incorporates the sabor vibrante of Mexico in a glass, including Yucatán-based Alma Finca orange liqueur and three regional chiles in the house-made Tajín-like seasoning. This adaptation assumes not everyone has access to all the flavors of a Mexican market but captures the zest of the original, with the brightness of the cucumber offsetting the heat.

Still thirsty? Keep reading:

>> Viva la Margarita! How Mexico City Is Redefining the Ubiquitous Cocktail

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Spicy Margarita

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

    • 1¾ oz. blanco tequila (Código Blanco Still Strength recommended)

    • 1 oz. cucumber and serrano chile cordial (recipe follows)

    • ¾ oz. fresh lime juice

    • ½ oz. spicy agave syrup (see note)

    • Tajín and lime wheel, for garnish

For the cucumber and serrano chile cordial

    • 1 medium-size cucumber

    • 1 serrano chile pepper, thinly sliced

    • 3 oz. orange liqueur (such as Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao)

    • 1½ tbsp. fresh lime juice (approximately 1 medium lime)

Preparation

  1. Make the cordial: Roughly chop unpeeled cucumber, then blend with ½ cup water for 2 minutes at high speed. In a jar, add blended cucumber, serrano, orange liqueur, and lime juice, and stir to mix. Let stand for 2 to 3 hours. Strain through fine-mesh sieve into a jar. Cordial will keep up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
  2. Make the drink: Prepare a rocks glass by moistening half of the outer rim with a wedge of lime, then rolling it in a saucer of Tajín to lightly coat. In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients (except lime wheel) and shake with ice until well chilled. Strain into rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with lime wheel.
  3. Note: Spicy agave syrup is available in many groceries and specialty shops. If unavailable, substitute regular agave syrup.

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A magazine cover with a cocktail
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