Name: Candied Jalapeno Cocktails Recipes (4 Ways!)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 to 5 ounces Vodka or Gin; .5 to 1 ounce lime juice; 2 to 3 teaspoons candied jalapeno syrup (and rings if desired); 2 ounces tequila of your choice (we like a good blanco tequila but you can use your favorite!); 1.5 ounces fresh lime juice; .5 to 1 ounce candied jalapeno syrup; Margarita salt or tajin for rim (optional); 2 ounces rum (use a white/light rum like Bacardi Superior); 1 ounce lime juice; 8-12 fresh mint leaves; 1-2 ounces 7-Up, club soda, or sparkling water; 2 to 3 teaspoons candied jalapeno syrup; Mint sprigs and lime wedges as optional garnishes; 2 ounces vodka; 3/4 ounce of lime juice (fresh or from the little bottles); 1/2 cup ginger beer (we use Bundaberg); 2-3 teaspoons candied jalapeno syrup; Candied jalapeno rings and mint, optional

Jump straight to the recipe here (but you'll miss a lot of good info)!

If you like a hint of heat in you cocktails, you’ll love these candied jalapeno cocktails! A little sweet and a little spicy takes your favorite drink to the next level.

Candied Jalapeno Cocktails aka Cowboy Candy Cocktails

If you’ve ever had a margarita at your local Mexican restaurant, you may have seen some drinks with jalapeno added to the mix. If you like a little spice, these are pretty delicious. When done right, the spice isn’t overpowering, but your palette will pick up that hint of spice that jalapenos impart.

You can use fresh or pickled jalapenos to make cocktails, but I’m here to tell you that candied jalapenos are the way to go. Make a batch of candied jalapenos and keep them in a jar in the refrigerator to add to everything from hot dogs and tacos to margaritas and mojitos.

When using the candied jalapenos to make cocktails, you have options:

Use in place of simple syrup: Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of the candied jalapeno syrup to the drink to add just a touch of the jalapeno heat.
Muddle the jalapenos: Add them to the bottom of the glass or shaker with mint, lime, and other ingredients then mix into your cocktail and serve over ice. If you don’t want the chunks of jalapeno, use a strainer when pouring into your glass.
Use the syrup and the rings: This will create a more obvious heat to the cocktails, but you can choose how much of each to add to control the level of heat. You can use the rings as a garnish too if you wish.

Notes About Our Candied Jalapeno Cocktails

Refer to the Cowboy Candy Cocktail recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients with measurements.

Candied Jalapeno Moscow Mule aka Cowboy Candy Mule

Moscow Mules are traditionally made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice and garnished with mint and lime. You’ll often see these served in copper cups that help consumers enjoy the chill of a cold and refreshing cocktail. The jalapeno syrup adds just the right amount of spice to this invigorating drink that is perfect for an after-work happy hour cocktail. Want to make it a Kentucky Cowboy Candy Mule? Use bourbon instead of vodka!

Candied Jalapeno Moscow Mule Recipe (Cowboy Candy Mule) — *Candied Jalapeno Moscow Mules*

Candied Jalapeno Mojito

The traditional mojito is made with rum, mint, lime juice, club soda or soda water, and simple syrup. In our mojito, we replace the simple syrup with candied jalapeno syrup giving this refreshing Cuban cocktail a slightly spicy zing. We also like to use 7-Up instead of soda water or club soda as it imparts an extra touch of sweetness that is usually imparted by the simple syrup. This might just be your favorite cool-down cocktail on a warm day!

Candied Jalapeno Margarita

Margaritas with jalapenos in them are becoming more popular on menus in bars and restaurants. This recipe is based on a traditional margarita, and you choose you favorite tequila. The candied jalapeno syrup replaces the triple sec, but you can add that too if you like the orange flavor that it imparts.

Candied Jalapeno Margarita Variations

Make it a blended margarita by adding the tequila, ice, lime juice and candied jalapeno syrup and rings to the blender. Blend well then pour in garnished rocks glass.
Add your favorite fruit puree, or frozen fruit, then blend. Strawberry and pineapple are great with the hint of jalapeno.
Add cucumber or mint to add a cooling element to your margarita.
Make it a Cadillac and top it with Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

Candied Jalapeno Martini

Classic martinis are made with the very minimal gin and vermouth, shaken over ice, then strained into a martini glass garnished with an olive or a twist (lemon peel). You can do the same with vodka instead. For our recipe, we eliminate the vermouth and replace it with a splash of lime juice and a dash of candied jalapeno syrup. Change the recipe up however you choose to find your perfect level of spice on this one!

More Candied Jalapeno Cocktails Ideas

Once you’ve made your candied jalapenos, you’ll have plenty on hand to experiment. Get creative and make some great candied jalapeno cocktails. Here are some other ideas to consider.

Flavors that pair well with candied jalapeno cocktails: cucumber, kiwi, mango, pineapple, pomegranate, watermelon, grapefruit, peach, orange, lemon
Use mezcal instead of tequila for your margaritas
Add the candied jalapeno rings and syrup to a bloody mary
Instead of a margarita, make a candied jalapeno paloma with tequila, grapefruit soda, lime, and candied jalapeno
Add a splash of candied jalapeno syrup to whiskey or bourbon for a little kick
You can make alcohol-free candied jalapeno cocktails as well! Or add it to smoothies or agua fresca

Candied Jalapeno Cocktails Recipes

For our candied jalapeno cocktails, we use basic classic cocktail recipes then build on them by adding our candied jalapeno syrup and rings. Here are our favorites:

Candied Jalapeno Cocktails Recipes (4 Ways!)

Yield: 1 cocktail per recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

If you like a hint of heat in you cocktails, you'll love these candied jalapeno cocktails! A little sweet and a little spicy takes your favorite drink to the next level.