This is your fast pass to cocktail hour.
Important points
This three-ingredient margarita is quick and easy to make and perfect for a relaxing summer day. Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Limeade adds a subtle kick and bright flavor to your drink. Chili Lime Seasoning Blend creates a flavorful edge that elevates simple cocktails.
I love a good margarita. It’s my summer drink every year. I often make it from scratch by squeezing a fresh lime (and sometimes a few oranges, too) and combining the juice with orange liqueur or tequila and the desired salty rim.
But even my deep love for Margs can’t overcome my summer laziness. Sometimes all you want is a margarita but you don’t want a squeeze of lime. It’s summer, let’s take it easy! That’s where these three-ingredient spicy margaritas come in. You can pick up all three ingredients at your local Trader Joe’s and have instant cocktail hour in no time.
This simpler recipe (complete with two parts limeade and one part tequila) has a subtle kick to it. If you want to spice it up, add a few dashes of spicy but not overly flavored hot sauce, or stir in a jalapeño slice (seeds and all) in the bottom of the glass before adding the liquid.
What’s in Trader Joe’s 3 Ingredient Spicy Margarita?
I’d like to claim to be the inventor of this cocktail, but I learned about it on a friend’s Instagram feed and after a quick search on the internet, I found this recipe on TJ’s website. Trader Joe’s official recipe calls for more than 3 ingredients, but I found that it only required 3 ingredients (or 4 or 5 for bonus points). I also tweaked the ratios to make a margarita that would satisfy me and all of my neighbors.
The main ingredient is Trader Joe’s Organic Jalapeno Limeade. It’s next to other shelf-stable juices and drinks. Next you need tequila. I like to use Espolon Tequila Blanco, which is sold at Trader Joe’s hard liquor stores. It’s reasonably priced and tastes great in margaritas. Finally, stop by the spice section and pick up a bottle of Chili Lime Seasoning Blend. It’s similar to a tagine, but a little less chunky, making it perfect for rimming cocktail glasses.
If you want to score bonus points, grab a lime or two and some fresh jalapeños for garnish. While not necessary, it’s a fun addition to your summer booze.
How to make spicy margarita with 3 ingredients
To make one margarita, you’ll need:
1 fresh lime (optional) 2 teaspoons TJ Chili Lime Seasoning Blend 1 1/2 oz Tequila Blanco 3 oz TJ’s Organic Jalapeno Limeade 1 slice fresh jalapeno (optional)
Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wedge or water. Add the seasoning blend to a small shallow plate or bowl and dip the rim of the glass into the seasoning to salt the rim.
Fill most of the glass with ice. If using lime wedges, squeeze over ice and add to glass. Add the tequila, followed by the limeade and stir gently. Garnish with jalapeño slices, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
tips
It’s easy to scale up recipes and batch them for a large number of people. For 8 drinks, combine 1 1/2 cups tequila and 3 cups limeade in a pitcher. Prepare the glass by moistening the rim, dipping it in the spice mixture, and adding ice. Pour and enjoy.
Read more: Jimmy Buffett’s simple secret to making the best margaritas
