Pineapple Margarita

Immerse yourself in the essence of summer with a tropical twist on a classic favorite, Pineapple Margaritas. Bursting with vibrant flavors, this refreshing cocktail marries the sweetness of ripe pineapple with the zesty kick of tequila and lime. It’s an escape in every sip.

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Pineapple Margarita recipe

Anyone else ready for summer vacation? I’m already dreaming about the places we’ll go this year.

Until then, the Pineapple Margarita, a tropical glass of paradise, is here and ready to whisk us away.

This sun-kissed cocktail is super simple to make with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, agave nectar and pineapple juice. It’s the perfect libation for enjoying taco night, lounging by the pool or entertaining guests at your next soirée.

It’s like a vacation in a glass: so full of relaxing, refreshing summer flavors.

More margarita recipes: Prickly Pear Margarita • Watermelon Margarita • Texas Margarita • Devil’s Margarita • Beer Margarita

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll love this sunny cocktail recipe, for a few reasons:

• The Pineapple Margarita is a delicious, flavorful and refreshing summer cocktail.
• Pineapple juice makes for a delightful twist on the classic margarita.
• This rich, beachy margarita is easy for beginner home bartenders to assemble.

Flavored margaritas like this are so fun to switch up the classic lime version. Try margs with peaches or limoncello next.

Tools & glassware

To make a margarita or two, you’ll need a basic bar tool set that includes a cocktail shaker, a Hawthorne strainer and a jigger for measuring ingredients.

You’ll also want to grab a few plates for preparing the glasses with salt and sugar rims.

Margaritas are often served in margarita glasses, stemmed glasses with big bowls for iced and frozen drinks. They can also be served in rocks glasses, which are short tumblers like I’ve used here. But don’t stress about the right glassware — it’s margarita night!

Ingredients

Here’s what to snag on your next errand run:

• Tequila: A blanco tequila, AKA silver tequila, is crisp and has a clear color, perfect for mixing in this yellow cocktail. We like Tito’s and Lunazul lately.
• Triple sec: Any clear orange liqueur will work. You can keep it simple with triple sec or go top shelf with Cointreau.
• Agave nectar: Feel free to substitute regular simple syrup.
• Pineapple juice: Fresh is best but I won’t fault you for using canned or bottled! Just ensure it is 100% pineapple juice with no added sugars or flavors for the best results.
• Lime juice: Again, fresh is best! But keep in mind the store-bought stuff is a bit more tart than fresh lime juice.
• Coarse salt or sugar: This goes on the rim! You can make your own margarita sugar or salt, or have fun with a flavored rim like chili lime seasoning for a hint of spice. Coconut flakes would also be great: Use agave nectar instead of lime juice to get the flakes to stick.

Garnishes

Margaritas usually get a lime slice or lime wedge garnish, so that’s perfect here if you want to keep things simple.

Fresh pineapple slices work well as a garnish too. You can also cut the leaves off of a pineapple — the pineapple fronds sticking out of the top of the drink make it look like it came from a tiki bar.

Variations and substitutions

Mix things up with one of these variations:

• Spicy pineapple margarita: In place of the tequila, use jalapeño-infused tequila. Another option is to use jalapeño simple syrup instead of the agave nectar.
• Pineapple mango margarita: Use ½ ounce pineapple juice and ¼ ounce mango juice for a sweet and tart variation.
• Virgin pineapple margarita: Use a zero-proof spirit that mimics tequila, like Seedlip Grove 42 or Ritual tequila alternative, in place of the tequila. For the triple sec, use orange juice or a non-alcoholic orange liqueur like Lyre’s Orange Sec.
• Skinny pineapple margarita: Instead of triple sec, use a splash of orange juice. Use less agave nectar or substitute your favorite sugar-free option. 

Instructions

Ready to shake up some pineapple margs?! Let’s do it.

Sprinkle salt or sugar onto a plate. Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of a glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt or sugar to coat it.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, triple sec, agave nectar, pineapple juice and lime juice. Shake vigorously.

Pour the mixture into the prepared glass. Finish by garnishing with a pineapple piece and a lime slice.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Quality ingredients matter in a cocktail. For great-tasting cocktails, a good bottle can make a big difference. For best results, go for a mid-price tequila like Tito’s or a top-shelf tequila like Patron and a top-shelf orange liqueur like Cointreau.
• Rim the glass. You can use nice coarse salt or sugar for the rim. Tajín is a delicious spicy rim option or, for a tiki twist, toasted coconut takes this to the next level. Use agave nectar or coconut cream to get the flakes to stick.
• Add a garnish! A lime wedge or pineapple slice makes this cocktail look more professional. Plus, the aromas from the garnish will enhance every sip.

Food pairings

Enjoy them with more pineapple recipes, like pineapple salsa and Mexican fruit salad. They’re also good with your favorite Mexican foods, from pork tacos to chips and guac.

Pineapple is especially great with fish, so serve popcorn shrimp for an appetizer and baked mahi mahi for dinner. You could also go with tacos, of course! Fish tacos or shrimp tacos would be perfection.

Finish the meal off with pineapple desserts like hummingbird cupcakes and sundaes with grilled pineapple.

When to serve Pineapple Margaritas

These would be perfect for all kinds of occasions! It’s never a bad time to have a margarita.

Think your weekly taco nights, especially Taco Tuesday. And then there are the holidays: Cinco de Mayo on May 5 and National Margarita Day observed on February 22 each year.

These are also fun for poolside and beach sipping, bachelor/bachelorette parties and summer cookouts.

If you ever tire of these pineapple margs, you can continue the tropical vibes with coconut margaritas and blue margaritas.

FAQ

Can I use any type of tequila for this recipe? While any tequila will work, a silver or blanco tequila is traditionally used in margaritas, as it has a clean and crisp flavor profile. The clear color also doesn’t affect the look of this yellow cocktail.

Can I substitute the agave nectar with another sweetener? Yes, you can substitute agave nectar with simple syrup, honey or maple syrup if desired. A flavored simple syrup is also a great way to mix up the flavors in this cocktail.

How do I make a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail? There are two ways: One is to omit the tequila and triple sec, and increase the amount of pineapple juice and lime juice to taste. You can also add a splash of soda water for fizz. The other is to replace the tequila with a zero-proof alternative.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party? Yes, you can mix the ingredients (excluding the ice) in a pitcher and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Then, just pour it over rimmed glasses filled with ice when your guests arrive.

More pineapple cocktail recipes

• Pineapple Mimosas
• Tiki Punch
• Pineapple Agua Fresca