Spicy Peach Margaritas (Pitcher Cocktail)
SPICY PEACH MARGARITAS
You know how people say you should have a signature cocktail? Well, mine is definitely a spicy marg. My love for them knows no bounds. And while I’m typically biased towards an OG spicy margarita, made with mezcal please and thank you, I really can’t say no to any variations they might come in. Especially if said variation involves some sort of fruit. Passionfruit, mango, pineapple and, in the case of today’s recipe, peach.
These spicy peach margaritas could not be more perfect for summer. They’ve got just the right amount of summer sweetness thanks to the peaches with the kick you’d expect from a spicy margarita. While I love them with mezcal for a little extra smokiness, they’re equally as delicious with tequila. Oh, and did I mention these are made in a pitcher? Aka they’re perfect for when when you’re hosting friends, dinner parties and summer gatherings. Whatever setting you enjoy them in, just don’t forget to salt your serving glass rims!
SPICY PEACH MARGARITA INGREDIENTS
You only need a few, but good, ingredients. Emphasis on the good. Think things like fresh produce and homemade spicy simple syrup. Trust me, the quality ingredients make all the difference between a good spicy margarita and a great one.
TEQUILA OR MEZCAL- This doesn’t have to be the most expensive tequila or mezcal on the shelf, but it should be something high quality and decent. For tequila, blanco, 100% agave tequila is the way to go, and with mezcal, well, in my opinion I’ll take any and all mezcal! Ha!
SPICY SIMPLE SYRUP- Homemade is the only way to go with this one. TRUST ME. It’s basically the easiest, simplest thing to make ever so you really have no excuses. This is also the main way our spicy peach margaritas are going to get their kick so you want to make sure the spicy syrup is up to par. Which is exactly why I have this Honey, Peach + Jalapeño Spicy Simple Syrup recipe. I developed it specifically for this recipe, so when I say it’s the best one to use, well, that’s why.
PEACH JUICE- I like to use peach juice as the way to add the peach flavor to this drink. Sure, you could muddle some peaches instead or puree peaches then strain them into the pitcher, but for ease and the purposes of a pitcher cocktail, trust me, save the fresh peaches for the garnish and use juice for the base instead. You can find peach juice/nectar in the juice section of your local grocery store or even near the mixers in a liquor store. Just be sure to grab one that is 100% real fruit juice.
LIME JUICE- Because what’s a margarita without lime juice? It adds acidity to the drink + helps to break up the sweetness of the peach juice. Use fresh squeezed for the best flavor.
FANCY SALT- Ok, this isn’t technically an official ingredient because it doesn’t go in the drink and it’s not absolutely necessary but it really does take these cocktails up a notch and make them extra special when you serve them in a glass rimmed with a fancy salt. I used a hibiscus salt for mine, but feel free to use the salt of your choice.
HOW TO MAKE SPICY PEACH MARGARITAS IN A PITCHER
Hold onto your hats, er your cocktail shakers, because this truly couldn’t be simpler. Are you ready for this?! You literally mix everything right in a pitcher. No really. It is that simple. But I’ll break it down for you just in case you still don’t believe me.
Pull out your favorite (or fanciest, whichever you’re feeling) pitcher.
Pour in the tequila or mezcal, peach juice, lime juice and spicy simple syrup.
Give it a good stir. Chill until you’re ready to serve.
Add ice to salt-rimmed glasses, pour, garnish with some dehydrated citrus slices and/or edible flowers, and enjoy!
TIPS + TRICKS FOR THE BEST SPICY MARGARITAS
Use fresh, real, high quality ingredients.
Use homemade spicy simple syrup.
Use a cocktail spoon to mix the liquids together. Be sure to give it a good stir, and don’t forget to stir right before pouring the margs, too.
Pre-mix the cocktail right in the pitcher then place in the fridge until it’s chilled and you’re ready to serve. This way your cocktail is nice and cold without having to add ice to the pitcher. I like to avoid ice in the pitcher and only serve the drink over ice right in the glasses for a few reasons. First, it keeps the cocktails more concentrated and you don’t have to worry about flavors getting diluted from melted ice. It also leaves room to make more cocktails in the pitcher. Lastly, it’s easier to keep the margaritas fresher for longer without ice being added in. Confession- I actually had a batch of these in the fridge that lasted for 2 weeks.
Don’t forget the garnishes. Fancy salted rims, fresh edible flowers, dehydrated citrus slices, fresh lime wedges, peach slices, jalapeño rounds…so many options!
For a marg that’s just a little be lighter, only fill up a glass 3/4 of the way with the mixture in the pitcher. Then top with soda water, stir, garnish and enjoy!
WHAT TO ENJOY WITH YOUR SPICY MARGARITAS
Honestly, you don’t need to enjoy anything but your own company with these bevs. They are just that good all on their own! However, like any marg, they pair perfectly with chips and guacamole or salsa (especially if it’s a fresh one and maybe even has some fruit in it, like a fruit one made with the peaches and jalapeños strained from this spicy simple syrup) and good company. These are also great with grilled chicken, pork chops, fish, shrimp, veggies, a nice salad…think light and summery things. However, my personal favorite thing to pair them with is grilled fish tacos. I mean, talk about a perfect summer meal. Yum!
SPICY PEACH MARGS
SERVES 8
INGREDIENTS
1 cup mezcal or blanco tequila
1/2 cup spicy simple syrup
1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
2 cups peach juice
Fresh peach and jalapeño slices
Garnish options: salt or sugar for the rim, fresh edible flowers, dehydrated citrus slices, fresh lime wedges, peach slices, jalapeño rounds
Soda or seltzer water (optional)
DIRECTIONS
To a large pitcher (I like to use this one), add the tequila or mezcal, spicy simple syrup, lime juice and peach juice. Give it several good stirs. Then mix in some fresh peach and jalapeño slices (I do 3-5 of each). Place the pitcher in the refrigerator until the drink is chilled. This isn’t absolutely necessary since the drink gets served over ice, but, if you have the time to do this, I definitely recommend it as it makes the flavors of the drink taste that much better.
Once the drink is chilled, prep your glasses by salting or sugaring the rims. Then add ice, pour in the margarita and garnish (optional).
For a margarita that’s just a little be lighter, only fill up the glass 3/4 of the way with the mixture from the pitcher. Then top with soda water, stir, garnish and enjoy!
NOTES
MAKE AHEAD- This margarita can be made ahead of time. In fact, the longer it sits, the better the flavors taste. Just keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. I once kept a pitcher in the fridge for two weeks and the margs still tasted super fresh and an incredibly delicious, and in fact, even spicier and sweeter than when I first made them! Although, if we’re being honest, these are so good, they probably won’t last more than a few days in your house.
FOR AN INDIVIDUAL MARGARITA- Look, I get it, sometimes you just need a single drink, not a whole pitcher of them. So, if that’s the case, here’s what to do- to a shaker, over ice, add 1 ounce tequila or mezcal, 0.5 ounce of the simple syrup, 1 ounce lime juice and 2 ounces peach juice. Shake then pour over a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice, garnish and enjoy.
FOR A NON-ALCOHOLIC VERSION- I know this might seem odd to give a non-alcoholic variation, but I’m all about the mocktail these days, and I know so many others are, too, so I’d hate to have anyone miss out on the deliciousness that is this spicy peach marg just because there’s alcohol in it. But don’t worry, make a non-alcoholic version is super simple. Basically, you have two options. You can either replace the tequila with a non-alcoholic spirit of your choice, something like a Seedlip, or, replace the tequila with soda water. The results are super light and refreshing and still incredibly sweet, spicy and yummy!
