El Pepino Drink

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Spicy and fresh, the El Pepino cocktail is an unforgettable and trendy riff on a summertime classic.

Tonight’s cocktail is a spicy and refreshing number, called El Pepino. In English, the drink’s name simply translates to “The Cucumber”. Almost sounds like a movie title… “It came out the dusty West, a lone wanderer bringing crisp refreshment to all… The Cucumber.” Maybe my imagination is running away with me—and if you’ve read any of my other articles here, you wouldn’t be surprised—but this recipe’s moniker, despite being named after a veggie, is pretty epic. At least to my mind, but I’m easily entertained. Trust me folks, I never get bored.

And it seems to me that there are many a bartender and mixologist out there that never suffer from boredom either. Take the El Pepino, for instance. When you look at everything that goes into it, you’ll probably say to yourself that this is really just a Margarita, but with a little difference. And since that classic cocktail has a plethora of riffs and offshoots, it’s hard to stand out above all the other choices you’re presented with.

While nobody knows who the first person to muddle cucumbers and jalapeños into a Margarita was, we do have some well-known names attached to it. In 2012, pop star Justin Timberlake revealed to Bon Appétit that the El Pepino was his favorite libation at that time, specifically the version crafted by Junior Merino, aka The Liquid Chef. As a result, the El Pepino grew in popularity, becoming a trendy concoction for those staying out all night.

What Is The Best Tequila To Use In An El Pepino?

Most Margarita-style tipples are made with a blanco, or silver, tequila. This unaged and clear-colored style of the spirit is often earthy, with grassy and peppery notes, finishing with a little heat and spice on each sip. In this drink, these flavors mix beautifully with the lime juice, melding in a balanced, almost scientific harmony. Then, the heat from the peppers and refreshing, crisp notes of the cucumber come together to create one of the more memorable offshoots of the classic cocktail.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Line the rim of a rocks glass with chili salt, and fill it with ice before pouring your cocktail in. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

CAN YOU STORE THE EL PEPINO?

No, and it’s mostly because of the muddled ingredients. You don’t want your drinks to be over-infused with flavor, becoming too intense to sip on, so it is suggested that this beverage is made on a drink-by-drink basis and served fresh.

HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN AN EL PEPINO?

Each glass carries an admirable amount of calories, around 208 per serving.

WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE STAND OUT FROM OTHER MARGARITAS?

The real difference in this recipe, compared to other variations, is the presence of muddled cucumbers and jalapeños, which help bring a more pronounced freshness and hot kick to each sip.

Other Margarita Variations Worth Trying

There are more Margaritas out there than you can shake a stick at. And if you actually tried to do that, you’d be shaking that stick for a long, long time. So instead of tiring yourself out, wondering about what other style of this cocktail you can try at home, look at some of the recipes we have right here at Twist & Toast to get you started.

• Devil’s Margarita – A little red wine adds some mischief to this take on the classic.
• Cadillac Margarita – Nothing but the finest top-shelf ingredients are used in this high-end beverage.
• Margarita Jell-O Shots – Hand out some mini-Margaritas at your next poolside party.
• Espresso Margarita – Feel like having something different at brunch? Order this eye-opening elixir.