Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita
This Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita is a delicious combination of sweet, tart, and heat with the addition of pineapple juice and spicy jalapeño. A riff on a classic, this gorgeous golden cocktail is one that margarita lovers will adore!
I Can’t Resist a Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita
While I could just as well say that I can’t resist any margarita, this Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita is definitely a special one. I always gravitate toward a spicy margarita on any cocktail menu – and recently enjoyed a pineapple jalapeño version on a visit to Margarita Paradise inside the Milwaukee Public Market. It was fantastic!
A riff on a classic margarita, this gorgeous golden cocktail adds in sweet pineapple juice and spicy jalapeño. It’s a delicious combination of sweet, tart, and heat with that unique tequila flavor that margarita lovers adore!
Like margaritas? Be sure to check these out, too!
- Orange Margarita
- Jalapeño Mezcal Margarita
- Prosecco Margaritas
- Pink Lemonade Margarita
- Rhubarb Margarita
And if you’re a super fan of pineapple drinks, check out my Pineapple Mint Julep Sangria!
What You’ll Need
This cocktail calls for common bar cabinet ingredients – a blanco tequila and triple sec. Then pick up some pineapple juice, plus a lime and jalapeño, and you’re set!
Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- tequila – I like to use a blanco (also called silver) tequila, for a clean, fresh flavor.
- jalapeño – A couple thin slices is all you need…unless you want it extra spicy, of course – then add as much as you like!
- pineapple juice – Use fresh pineapple juice or look for 100% pineapple juice that is “not from concentrate”.
- orange liqueur – Also called triple sec. I like to use Cointreau brand in this drink.
- lime juice – PLEASE! Only use fresh squeezed lime juice. This will give you the freshest, best-tasting margarita.
- lime wedge – I like to add one last squeeze of lime before serving, and then plop the wedge right into the drink.
- optional garnishes – It’s always fun to fancy-up a cocktail. A fresh pineapple wedge and jalapeno slice(s) are great for this drink!
How to Make a Spicy Pineapple Margarita
It’s easy to make margaritas at home. Grab a jalapeño and let’s make it spicy!
First things first. Do you want a spiced salt rim on the glass? If so, stir together some kosher salt and your favorite chili powder. Then run the cut side of a fresh lime wedge around the glass rim and dip the glass upside-down into the salt mixture. Another great alternative is to dip the rim in Tajin or a combination of Tajin and kosher salt – I love the zingy lime flavor in the Tajin seasoning!
I HIGHLY recommend a spiced salt rim, by the way. It’s not only pretty, but it also adds a fun texture and another layer of flavor!
And now to make the margarita!
- Muddle tequila & jalapeño in a cocktail shaker with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon.
- Add pineapple juice, orange liqueur & lime juice to the cocktail shaker, followed by a handful of ice cubes. Tightly cap the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain margarita into the prepared glass and add cubed or crushed ice to fill glass.
- Finish by squeezing a fresh lime wedge over the top and then add it to the drink. Add additional garnishes of a pineapple wedge and jalapeño slices, if desired.
How to Make a Pitcher of Margaritas
Most often, when I make a margarita, I’m making multiple margaritas. It’s a celebratory kind of cocktail, and I enjoy mixing up pretty drinks to hand to my friends!
The recipe card is written for a single drink, but I also included quantities and instructions for making a pitcher of margaritas. Just look to the bottom of the recipe card.
Essentially, making a pitcher of margarita is the same as making a single glass, just in larger form. So instead of muddling the tequila and jalapeño slices together in a cocktail shaker, you will muddle them in a pitcher. And then add the remaining pineapple juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice to the pitcher. Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for up to 3 hours.
When you’re ready to serve the pineapple jalapeño margaritas, measure out the margarita mixture from the pitcher and shake individual drinks with ice in a cocktail shaker (just like the instructions for the single recipe). OR you can simply stir the margarita mixture with ice in individual cocktail glasses.
The purpose of shaking and stirring with ice is to get the drink very chilled and also a bit diluted. The cocktail shaker method is preferred, but stirring works in a pinch – just know that the stirring method will give you a slightly stronger drink.
Tips for the Best Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita
Just a few quick tips for you, to ensure the best margarita experience!
- Use fresh 100% pineapple juice. So that means fresh pineapple juice that you’ve juiced or purchased. Or a container labeled “not from concentrate” – which can be found in both the refrigerated juice section and the regular juice section at the store.
- Only fresh limes will do. No lime juice concentrates allowed in my margaritas!
- Use only good quality tequila. It’s true – the better the ingredients, the better the outcome. Look for labels that say “100% agave”. This means the tequila is distilled only from Mexican blue agave plants, with absolutely nothing else added.
- Shake that cocktail shaker! And shake it vigorously for 30 seconds. No less! This gives the drink a blast of ultra coldness and dilutes it to the perfect strength.
- Include a spiced salt rim on the glass. It’s another step, I know, but it’s an easy one that adds flavor and flair!
- Add fun garnishes. “It’s so aesthetic!” Or so our teenage daughters like to say. In other words, garnishes add visual appeal. :)
Variations
I’m usually open to changing up a recipe. Here are some variations that I like for this cocktail:
- Include another fresh fruit juice along with the pineapple juice. A little mango, orange, or strawberry juice would be lovely.
- Alter the amount of heat. This is very easy to do. If you want more heat, add more jalapeño slices and muddle them for a longer time. The more you bruise the jalapeño, the more it will infuse its spiciness into the tequila.
- Grill some pineapple and jalapeño. Give your margarita a smoky flavor by muddling some grilled pineapple and jalapeño with the tequila.
- Add even more smoky flavor by substituting all or some of the blanco tequila for mezcal. (Have you tried my Jalapeño Mezcal Margarita?!)
- Use a barrel-aged tequila (a gold-colored tequila that has been aged longer, such as añejo or reposado). This will add a warm, toasty flavor with notes of caramel, butter, vanilla, and spice.
- Add cilantro. Then muddle it a bit, to release a lightly herbal flavor and scent.
- Salted rim choices. I see a few options for this. My top suggestions would be:
- plain salt rim – the classic margarita glass rim, using coarse salt
- spiced salt rim – like the one I include in my recipe card, a combination of coarse salt and chili powder
- Tajin rim – such a fun seasoning, Tajin adds vibrant color and a ton of flavor
- salted Tajin rim – mix coarse salt and Tajin together, for a mixture that includes a bit more coarse salt texture and a little less Tajin zing!
What to Serve with These Margaritas
I never tire of Mexican meals; our family enjoys them every single week. Here are a few suggestions for you, meals that go great with margaritas!
- Carnitas – flavorful, fork-tender bites of pure taco awesomeness!
- Margarita Grilled Shrimp – one of my top favorite meals!
- Dorita Taco Salad – always a crowd-pleaser.
- Mole Pork Tacos – a quick and super easy way to enjoy the flavor of Mexican mole.
- Easy Fish Tacos – with sweet caramelized pineapple bites and moist baked fish in foil packets
- Grilled Chipotle Orange Salmon – so pretty, and so very tasty!
- Grilled Chili Lime Pork Tenderloin – a flavorful, easy recipe for weeknights or entertaining.
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Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita
Ingredients
for the chili salt rim:
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 3 teaspoons your favorite chili powder or Tajin
- fresh lime wedge
for the pineapple jalapeno margarita:
- 2 ounces blanco also called silver tequila
- 2 thin slices jalapeño
- 3 ounces fresh pineapple juice – or substitute 100% pineapple juice “not from concentrate”
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- fresh lime wedge
- fresh pineapple wedge lime wedge, and jalapeño slice – optional garnish
Instructions
- for the chili salt rim: Combine salt and chili powder (or Tajin) in a small bowl or plate. Rub the cut side of the lime wedge around the glass rim and immediately dip the rim into the salt. Take care to not twist the glass in the salt, just dip straight down into the salt and back out again.
- for the pineapple jalapeño margarita: Place tequila and 2 jalapeño slices in a cocktail shaker. Use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon to muddle the jalapeño slices. More muddling will release more jalapeño spiciness. Add more or less jalapeño slices, depending on the heat of the jalapeños and your level of spice enjoyment.
- Add pineapple juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice to the cocktail shaker, followed by a handful of ice cubes. Tightly cap the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds, until thoroughly chilled and perfectly diluted. Strain margarita liquid into prepared glass. Add cubed or crushed ice to fill glass. Squeeze a fresh lime wedge over the top and add it to the drink. Add additional garnishes of a pineapple wedge and jalapeño slices, if desired.
Notes
12 thin slices jalapeño
18 ounces (2.25 cups) fresh pineapple juice – or substitute 100% pineapple juice "not from concentrate"
6 ounces (3/4 cup) orange liqueur
6 ounce (3/4 cup) freshly squeezed lime juice
6 fresh lime wedges
fresh pineapple wedges, lime wedges, and jalapeno slices – optional garnish Add tequila and jalapeño slices to a pitcher, and muddle the jalapeño. Add the pineapple juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for up to 3 hours. When you’re ready to serve the margaritas, measure out 7 ounces of margarita mixture from the pitcher, and add it to a cocktail shaker with ice. Cap the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Then strain into a prepared glass, squeeze a lime wedge over the top, and add the wedge to the drink. Add optional garnishes if desired. If you don’t want to use a cocktail shaker for individual drinks, simply stir 7 ounces of the margarita mixture with ice in individual glasses. Stir for 30 seconds. The purpose of this is to get the drink very chilled and also a bit diluted. The cocktail shaker method is preferred, but stirring works in a pinch – just know that the stirring method will give you a slightly stronger drink. from a farmgirl’s dabbles
Nutrition Information:
Tasty