El Pepino Tequila Cocktail Recipe

Name: El Pepino Tequila Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 3 slices cucumber; 6 cilantro leaves; 3/4 ounce simple syrup; 1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila; 3/4 ounce triple sec; 1 ounce lime juice; 1/4 ounce egg white; Garnish: cucumber slice

Prep: 3 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Total: 3 mins

Serving: 1 serving

Yield: 1 cocktail

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This el pepino recipe puts a fun spin on the traditional margarita. "Pepino" is Spanish for cucumber, and that is definitely the star ingredient here!

Created by Las Vegas mixologist Gaston Martinez, the recipe pours reposado tequila into a margarita, then adds cucumber, cilantro, and egg white to give it a cool, earthy flavor topped with a luscious foam. The result is a fantastic cucumber cocktail that you will want to make again and again.

4 slices cucumber, divided
6 cilantro leaves
3/4 ounce simple syrup
1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila
3/4 ounce triple sec
1 ounce lime juice
1/4 ounce egg white

Gather the ingredients.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
In a cocktail shaker, add 3 cucumber slices, cilantro, and simple syrup. Muddle well.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and egg white. Fill the shaker with ice.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to ensure the egg is properly mixed.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Garnish with a thin cucumber slice. Serve and enjoy.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs poses a risk for food-borne illness.

Tips

The key to drinking cocktails with eggs is to ensure your egg is fresh. There's a quick test you can use: Place an egg in a glass of water and it's freshest when it sinks to the bottom. If your egg floats it's too old and should be discarded.
Take it easy on the cilantro. It's a very flavorful herb and even a couple of extra leaves can overpower the drink. If you like, start with just four leaves and add more next time if needed.
With all the fresh ingredients, this cocktail really deserves freshly squeezed lime juice. The average lime can yield up to 1 ounce of juice, so one fruit is generally all that's needed.
To maximize the juice, warm the lime to room temperature and roll it under your palm on the countertop before cutting.

Recipe Variations

Skip the egg white if you prefer.
If you're not a fan of cilantro, replace it with oregano or basil.
As seen in the spicy cucumber mint margarita, mint is a good match for cucumber as well. Though it's not as savory as the other herbs and will change the cocktail's overall taste, it is a good option for this recipe.
Cucumber and chile peppers are an excellent pairing as well. Add a few slices of jalapeño to the muddle to give the margarita a spicy kick.

How Strong Is El Pepino?

El pepino is not as strong as other shaken margaritas. Instead, its alcohol content is similar to a glass of wine and much of that is due to the added volume of the egg. If you make it with 80 proof tequila, it should weigh in around 15 percent ABV (30 proof).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
222	Calories
0g	Fat
24g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	222
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 18mg	1%
Total Carbohydrate 24g	9%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 15mg	75%
Calcium 34mg	3%
Iron 1mg	3%
Potassium 315mg	7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.