This $2.79 Trader Joe's Drink Makes A Killer Margarita

I used to make margaritas the old-fashioned way—freshly-squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, orange liquor, and tequila, of course. And then I tasted Trader Joe’s Jalape?o Limeade and got wise. It is such a good mixer that it's now my go-to way of making margaritas the lazy way.

Related: The 10 Best 1-Ingredient Ways To Upgrade A Margarita

Why I Like Trader Joe’s Organic Jalape?o Limeade

Made from just four organic ingredients (water, lime juice, sugar, and jalape?o powder), this bottled limeade is shelf-stable but it really does taste freshly-squeezed, because the citrus isn’t from concentrate. To my taste buds, the jalape?o powder is more of a background note that you notice at the end of a sip. It adds a little heat without being very spicy. If you prefer your limeade without chiles, TJ’s also sells a good-quality plain limeade in the refrigerated section.

At less than $3 for a 32-ounce bottle, it’s a great deal.

How To Make a Jalape?o-Limeade Margarita

This limeade tastes great poured over ice, but its true calling is to be used in a lazy margarita. Here’s how I like to make them:

• Step 1: Fill a rocks glass halfway with ice, and pour about ? cup of limeade over the ice.

• Step 2: Pour 1 to ? ounce tequila into the glass, add a pinch of kosher salt, and stir.

• Step 3: Garnish with a lime wedge—that’s it! Unless you want to make it a little fancier with one of these variations.

3 Fresh Margarita Variations

Sparkling Jalape?o-Limeade Margarita

Prepare the drink according to the instructions above, and top it off with 1 ounce lime-flavored sparkling water or sparkling wine.

Strawberry-Jalape?o-Limeade Margarita

Prepare the drink according to the instructions above, and stir in about ? cup fresh strawberry puree. (You can puree the berries in a food processor, or simply muddle a few of them in the bottom of the glass.)

Extra Spicy Jalape?o-Limeade Margarita

On a small plate, stir together 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ? teaspoon Tajin seasoning. Wet the rim of a rocks glass with the cut side of 1 lime. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt-Tajin mixture. Prepare the drink according to the instructions above and garnish with a fresh jalape?o slice.

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