Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Tequila & Mezcal Cocktails

Spicy Mint Avocado Margarita

Most people can recite the reported health benefits of the mighty avocado—loaded with nutrients, antioxidants and plenty of that supposedly beneficial kind of fat. An essential part of many Mexican and other Latin American dishes, and a beloved topping for toast at hip cafés worldwide, the noble berry is beloved for its silky texture and gorgeous green hue.

Despite its popularity in cooking, the avocado is rarely approached as an ingredient for use in bartending. But it is a fruit (a berry, even), and fruits have always had a role behind the bar. Margaritas, especially, love getting some extra fruitiness, and while unconventional and possibly unorthodox, that can even include avocado. This Margarita spin doubles down on the green, muddling the “super fruit” with fresh mint and jalapeño. The richness of the avocado helps muffle the heat from the jalapeños, though there will still be plenty of spice. This is especially true if you don’t seed the jalapeños first, which can lead to an overly hot cocktail. When seeding and slicing the peppers it’s wise to wear some kind of latex or rubber gloves, or at least be sure to wash up afterwards; no one wants jalapeño oils in their eyes.

While the recipe calls for any kind of orange liqueur for the drink, traditionally you’ll want to reach for a bottle of triple sec. The most well-regarded for use in Margaritas tends to be Cointreau, and many bartenders at cocktail bars across the world use it in theirs. However, there are alternatives, including Combier L'Original Liqueur d'Orange. Like its name implies, it’s considered the first triple sec ever made.

Of course, the most important ingredient in any Margarita, even one with mint, peppers and avocado, is the tequila. The Spicy Mint Avocado Margarita is best with a blanco tequila. These unaged (or shortly aged) tequilas are bright, vivid and vegetal, often with grassy and citrus notes that complement the other ingredients. Using a darker, more robust tequila can muddy the flavors. Since there is so much going on in the drink, don’t feel obligated to go top-shelf with your selection. But because the flavor will still be present, don’t be tempted to go bottom-shelf, either. There are numerous affordable and serviceable options for blanco tequila these days.

A margarita with a large sprig of fresh mint is centered in the photo on a marble slab. It is surrounded by green: limes, jalapeños and avocado.

Liquor.com / Tim Nusog

Ingredients

  • 1 slice avocado (approximately 2 tablespoons)

  • 3 slices jalapeño (seeds removed)

  • 4 fresh mint leaves

  • 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 2 ounces blanco tequila

  • 1 ounce orange liqueur

  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup

  • 1 pinch salt

  • Garnish: salt rim

  • Garnish: mint sprig

Steps

  1. Rim a double rocks glass with salt and set aside.

  2. Add the avocado, jalapeño, mint and lime juice into a shaker and muddle until the avocado is mashed.

  3. Add the tequila, orange liqueur, simple syrup and salt.

  4. Fill the shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled.

  5. Strain into the prepared rocks glass over fresh ice.

  6. Garnish with a mint sprig.