Bart
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/El-Pepino-1500x1500-hero-2439badd5e7f434291c2ce005d492878.jpg)
Photograph: www.liquor.com
El Pepino
A spicy and refreshing riff on the classic Margarita with cucumber and jalapeño.
Ingredients
- Cucumber Wheels2 (1/4-inch)
- Jalapeño Wheels2 (1/4-inch)
- Tequila Blanco1 1/2 oz
- Agave Syrup3/4 oz
- Lime Juice1 oz
- Tajín garnishTo Rim Glass
- Cucumber Slice garnish1
Steps
- Add Cucumber Wheels, Jalapeño Wheels, and Blanco Tequila to a Cocktail Shaker.
- Muddle for 10 seconds until fully pulverized.
- Add Agave Syrup and Lime Juice, then fill the Cocktail Shaker with ice and shake for 15–20 seconds until well-chilled.
- Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a Tajín rimmed Rocks Glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a Cucumber Slice.
Can you actually make a El Pepino tonight?
Out of Jalapeño? Bart suggests a substitute from the bottles you already own, then still pours the drink. On this page you only get the general answer.
About the El Pepino
El Pepino, or 'the cucumber' in Spanish, is a Margarita-inspired cocktail that combines tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup with muddled cucumber and jalapeño for a refreshing and spicy twist.
El Pepino gained mainstream popularity in 2012 when Justin Timberlake named it his favorite cocktail, drawing attention to its versatility. Origin stories point to various bartenders, including Junior Merino, who added pineapple and Grand Marnier, and Gaston Martinez, who introduced cilantro and egg white for a unique texture.
This version takes a more classic approach, showcasing cucumber’s cooling freshness alongside the heat of jalapeño. Agave syrup replaces triple sec in the style of a Tommy’s Margarita, balancing the earthy and citrus notes of tequila. A chili-salt rim completes the drink, enhancing each sip with an engaging, spicy-salty finish.
Similar drinks
How this compares
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Spicy_Margarita_2597x2597_primary-4460e82ef0b24462883ae97db8e4b5bf.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/paloma-1500x1000-recirc-a80e9dc0582b4ec19578edeae1b0fe3f.jpg)
Made with
Explore the ingredients
Put your bar in your pocket
Add your bottles to Bart once. It tells you whether the El Pepino is on tonight, what else you can pour right now, and which single bottle would unlock the most new drinks.
