It’s finally HOT. GIRL. SUMMER. And we all know what that means. It’s time to bring on the heat, ladies.
What better way to do it than with tacos and tequila? And by tequila, we mean a flaming hot spicy marg.
See Also: Wake Up With The Best Espresso Martinis In NYC
Below are the top ten spicy margs in NYC (and a few in Brooklyn). If you can’t handle the heat, you probably should get out of the kitchen.
Barrio Chino
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253 Broome St, Manhattan/Website
Spicy Rigatoni Vodka is to Carbone as the Grapefruit Habanero Margarita is to Barrio Chino. Barrio Chino’s world-renowned spicy marg is a fiesta in your mouth. The red hot habanero-infused tequila is perfectly complemented by the sweet, yet tangy, fresh grapefruit juice. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and heat, and we just can’t get enough.
Bondst
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6 Bond St, Manhattan/Website
You probably didn’t expect to see a Japanese-inspired restaurant on this list. Trust us, the Shishito Jalapeño Margarita from Bondst puts many Mexican restaurants to shame. Made with Herradura Blanco Tequila, jalapeño agave, fresh lime, and charred shishito pepper, this drink pairs perfectly with Bondst’ famous Bigeye Tuna Tarts with truffle aioli.
Black Ant
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60 2nd Ave, Manhattan/Website
The Black Ant Smoky Jalapeño Margarita is out of this world. Your mouth may feel like it’s on fire from the house-infused jalapeño tequila, smoky mezcal, and signature black ant salt rim, but it’s totally worth it. Yes, the rim is actually coated with freeze-dried ants mixed with chipotle salt. It sounds disgusting, but we swear by it.
Ofrenda
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113 7th Ave, Manhattan/Website
The Cucumber-Jalapeño Margarita at Ofrenda is the perfect trifecta: sweet, salty, and of course, spicy. This chipotle-flavored drink is definitely a shock to the tongue, but in the most exciting way possible. Order some chips and guac to cut the spice, and you’re all good to go. Kudos to this West Village hangout for serving their drinks in large pitchers—you really do get a good bang for your buck!
Oxomoco
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128 Greenpoint Ave, Brooklyn/Website
This Michelin-Star Mexican eatery in Brooklyn serves one of the best spicy margs in town. Oxomoco’s Tamarind Orange Margarita harmoniously blends the citrusy flavor of the orange with the hot tones of the spicy chile rim. If you're not in the mood for spice, the regular margarita is pretty delicious from there too. Brooklyn may seem like a schlep, but it’s worth it for Oxomoco’s famous margaritas.
Buddakan
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75 9th Ave, Manhattan/Website
Once again, you’re probably a little skeptical that this opulent Asian-Fusion restaurant can compete with some of the best Mexican restaurants in town. Rest assured, Buddakan’s, The Answer, can put up a mean fight. The addition of habanero agave watermelon was genius on the bartender’s part. Fruity yet spicy—this drink really is the answer to everything.
Pineapple Club
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509 E 6th St, Manhattan/Website
Shockingly, The Pineapple Club’s secret spicy marg ingredient is—wait for it—pineapple! Made with tequila, cointreau, pineapple, chili, and lime, The Pineapple Club puts an innovative twist on the classic spicy marg. The signature pineapple ingredient adds a layer of tanginess we didn’t know we needed.
Cecconis
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55 Water St, Brooklyn/Website
Also across the bridge, Cecconi’s in Dumbo serves their own rendition of a spicy marg. And it's fire—pun very much intended. The Picante De La Casa, a drink borrowed from members-only club, Soho House, combines Cazadores Reposado, lime, agave, fresno chili, and cilantro. Order a few rounds of this drink, the black truffle wood oven pizza, and the Maine lobster spaghetti, and you’re all good to go!
La Esquina
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Multiple Locations/Website
You may be sick of hearing about La Esquina’s spicy margs, but it would be a disgrace to not include them. Although the original margarita is top-notch, we highly recommend getting the Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita with Strawberry Jalapeño infused tequila blanco, fresh strawberries, triple sec, and sweet and sour lime. All of La Esquina’s margs are extra shaken. Because duh, shaken, not stirred.
Tacombi
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Multiple Locations/Website
Another Mexican food staple, Tacombi is the place for fast and fun tacos, fajitas, and of course, spicy margs. The Margarita Rubio is our go-to drink before a fun night out on the town. You may need some extra tortillas to tone down the spice a little, but don’t let this deter you from getting one of the best spicy margs in all of Manhattan. We recommend getting a pitcher for $49 because why not? You can also get the margaritas to-go if you would rather get lit at home in your sweats.
Photography by: Amy Rosner
