Spicy Margarita

Before you begin making the cocktail, it's important to prepare the serving glass. This way, when you're done shaking up the cocktail, you can pour it right away. Otherwise the cocktail will dilute in the shaker while you prep the glass. To prep a margarita glass, cut a lime into wedges, then take one wedge and cut a small slit crosswise in the flesh. Place the wedge on the rim of a rocks glass and run it all the way around the rim. Dip the moistened rim in kosher salt. Fill the prepared margarita glass with ice and set it aside. Editor's Tip: Tajin—a slightly spicy and tart Mexican seasoning blend—is a great alternative to salt for rimming a cocktail glass. Instead of running a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, brush the sides or the rim of the glass with a bit of agave syrup then roll or dip it in Tajin. It also adds a nice pop of color to the cocktail!

Add two slices of jalapeno to an empty cocktail shaker and muddle them. The goal is to release the spicy oils from the jalapeno, so you don't need to mash it into oblivion. You should smell the spice! Editor's Tip: For a true spicy margarita, keep the ribs and seeds of the jalapeno intact. For a margarita that has the flavor of jalapeno with less kick, remove the ribs and seeds.

Add the tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice. Cover and shake the cocktail vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the shaker, about 15 to 20 seconds.

Strain the margarita into the prepared glass and garnish it with a few jalapeno slices.