If you think jalapeños, green tea, and tequila are a weird pairing, think again. I can basically promise that if you’re a fan of margs and Arnold Palmers, you’ll fall in love with my Spicy Green Tea and Lemonade Margarita. Your happy hour will never be the same again!

tall glass pitcher of green tea lemonade in the background with two spicy arnold palmer margaritas in green rimmed glasses in the foreground

I recently went to a Tacos and Tequila event and was blown away with a green tea margarita they served – they called it the Diamante Tee Time Cocktail, but I just call it delicious. I came home and immediately made a pitcher of green tea with fresh lemon juice and turned it into a pitcher of these addictively sippable lemonade margaritas.

About This Cocktail

If you’re worried about the combination of green tea and tequila, I hear you. Up until I tried this delicious concoction for myself, I would’ve told you that green tea and tequila simply have no business sharing a cup. This margarita absolutely changed my mind.

Earthy green tea is accented with sweet agave nectar and fresh lemon juice for a refreshing take on an Arnold Palmer. Things get bumped up a notch further by adding some heat from fresh sliced jalapeños and spiking it with some high-end Cristalino tequila.

The Cristalino Extra-Añejo Tequila used at the event where I first tried this margarita was outstanding; it was also pretty pricey, clocking in at $145 per bottle. To make this more affordable at home I used El Mayor Tequila Cristalino which is a double-distilled clear añejo tequila ($45). For an even more affordable tequila option, try a smooth tequila blanco.

TIP: If you’re reluctent to leave the house, get your booze delivered using the Drizly app!

So, if you’re in the market for a new adult beverage to serve for your next happy hour gathering, give my Spicy Green Tea Lemonade Margarita a try. I have a feeling you’re going to love it.

How to Make Green Tea Margaritas

Make Green Tea Lemonade

Boil 4 cups water, remove from heat, add tea bags and cover. Leave the teabags to infuse for up to 15 minutes.

Remove the teabags and allow the mix to cool to room temperature. Pour green tea, plus 4 more cups of water to a pitcher with fresh lemon juice and agave nectar, and stir.

Make Individual Margaritas

Add two jalapeño slices to a shaker and muddle. Add the rest of the ingredients, except tea, to the shaker. Add ice, shake, and double strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Top with tea and stir lightly. Garnish with jalapeño slice on the rim. Salud!

flat lay shot of a halved lemon, green tea bags, fresh jalapeños, a silver bowl of ice and two collins glasses on a white embroidered cocktail napkin

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Exactly Is Cristalino Tequila?

While you may be familiar with añejo, reposado and blanco tequila, cristalino is a lesser known cousin. Aged like añjeo, but then filtered through charcoal to strip away the colors from the barrels, this is a hybrid tequila that has the best of both the añjeo and blanco worlds. Read more about cristalino here.

Do I need to salt the rim?

I personally don’t think that this green tea lemonade margarita needs a salted rim, but this is all a matter of personal preference. If you want some, get some!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Sure! The green tea lemonade mixture will keep in the fridge for up to a week. I recommend that you shake each margarita to order, though; there’s nothing quite so revivifying as the frothy, ice flecked first sip of a freshly shaken cocktail.

woman's hand holding a collins glass of green tea lemonade margarita with fresh sliced jalapeños and lemons

More Happy Hour Inspiration

Check out these other spicy cocktails:

If you tried this tasty Spicy Green Tea & Lemonade Margarita, please be sure to rate and review it below! 

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Spicy Green Tea & Lemonade Margarita

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If you think jalapeños, green tea, and tequila are a weird pairing, think again. I can basically promise that if you’re a fan of margs and Arnold Palmers, you’ll fall in love with my Spicy Green Tea and Lemonade Margarita. Your happy hour will never be the same again!

Ingredients

Pitcher:

  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 4 green tea bags
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 3 ounces agave nectar
  • Jalapeno slices 
  • Cristalino tequila or tequila blanco

Individual drinks:

  • 1.5 ounce Cristalino tequila or tequila blanco
  • 1/2 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce agave syrup
  • 1.75 ounce green tea 
  • 3 jalapeño slices

Instructions 

Pitcher:

  • Boil 4 cups water, remove from heat and place tea bags and cover.
  • Leave the teabag to infuse for up to 15 minutes.
  • Remove the teabags and let come to room temperature. Pour green tea, plus 4 more cups of water to a pitcher with fresh lemon juice and agave nectar, and stir.
  • To make a margarita, pour green tea in a glass filled with ice, 1.5 ounces of cristalino tequila.
  • Garnish with jalapeno slices and lightly stir.

Individual drinks:

  • Add two jalapeño slices to a shaker and muddle. Add the rest of the ingredients, except tea, to the shaker. Add ice, shake, and double strain into an ice filled rocks glass. Top with tea and stir lightly. Garnish with jalapeño slice on the rim.

Notes

  • Green tea lemonade can be made up to a week in advance and kept in the refrigerator.
  • If possible, use cristalino tequila. If not, tequila blanco is a good substitute.
Calories: 198kcal, Carbohydrates: 25g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 15mg, Potassium: 158mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 460IU, Vitamin C: 70mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg