This easy and delicious Spicy Pineapple Margarita is perfect for summer! These sweet and slightly spicy cocktails are always a hit at parties. We've been told they're almost too easy to drink (...in a good way!). If you're hosting a summer gathering—like a picnic or barbecue—you can easily make these jalapeño and pineapple margaritas in a pitcher beforehand. No muddling necessary!
Garnishes are completely optional, but we love rimming the glass with Tajin for a hint of chili, lime, and salt. Alternatively, rim the glass with kosher salt or skip it altogether. Either way, it'll be delicious!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy to make: This Spicy Pineapple Margarita takes less than 5 minutes to make.
- Well-balanced: This refreshing, balanced cocktail is both sweet and slightly spicy. It's a crowd pleaser that you'll enjoy sipping all summer long.
- Just the right amount of spice: Everyone has different heat preferences, so this recipe let's you make it just right. The easy Jalapeño Simple Syrup provides subtle heat. If you or your guests want a spicier cocktail, use Tajin to rim the glass or even add more fresh jalapenos to taste.
- No muddling needed: You don't need to own a muddler—or any fancy bartender or cocktail tools—for this recipe.
- Single serve or margaritas by the pitcher: This recipe easily scales up to a pitcher, if you're looking to serve it at your next party or summer get-together.
Ingredients
- Jalapeño Simple Syrup: It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to make Jalapeño Simple Syrup—and you're going to look like a pro! Keep extras in the fridge and use it to make other delicious cocktails all summer long.
- Pineapple Juice: We recommend using pure 100% pineapple juice (ideally not from concentrate). Pineapple is quite sweet on its own, so avoid juices with added sugar.
- Tequila: A Blanco (or Silver) tequila works well for this recipe. This type of tequila is clear and unaged—so it gives a clean, bright agave-forward flavor to the mixed cocktail. Choose a tequila that's labelled "100% de agave", so you know it's not mixed with other spirits or additives.
- Tajin (optional): Tajin is a pre-mixed spice blend of chili, salt, and lime. It's completely optional in this recipe, but we love using it to rim the cocktail glasses. (Alternatively you can use kosher salt—or skip the cocktail rimmer entirely).
Method
This delicious sweet and slightly cocktail is easy to make. Here's how to make this Spicy Pineapple Margarita:
Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.
How to make a pitcher of margaritas
These Spicy Pineapple Margaritas are always a hit with friends. The recipe can be easily scaled up to serve a crowd—and can be made in advance.
Instead of mixing lots of individual drinks in a cocktail shaker, use a pitcher to quickly make a big batch of drinks. Here's how to make these spicy margaritas in a pitcher instead:
- Add all the ingredients to a serving pitcher.
- Cover and place the pitcher in the fridge to chill.
- Right before serving, stir well then fill the pitcher with ice.
Tips
- Shake well: It's important the margarita is served cold, and your first step is to shake it thoroughly with ice. Shake it until the cocktail shaker is frosty and cold on the outside, about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Use a tequila you like: While it's not necessary to splurge on the most expensive tequila for these these mixed cocktails, do choose one you actually like to drink.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice: Bottled lime juice doesn't have the same fresh, bright flavor. Start with whole limes and squeeze your own juice. It's worth it!
- Adjust the heat if needed—you can always make it more spicy: We prefer to make these cocktails with a mild spice, which comes from the delicious Jalapeno Simple Syrup. Then, layer on more heat with the Tajin rimmer and more sliced jalapeños—but only if you want!
Frequently asked questions
Citrus tastes it's best when freshly squeezed. Citrus loses some of it's bright flavor the longer it sits. For the best results you can add the freshly squeezed lime juice right before serving. But, if you want to prep it all in advance—you can! Assemble no more than 6 hours in advance and store covered in the fridge. Of course, add the ice right before serving to avoid over-diluting the beverage.
Triple Sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that originated in France (source). It is typically 20 to 40% alcohol by volume (ABV, source). Cointreau is one of the most well-known brands of triple sec.
If you don't have Cointreau, you can use another brand of Triple Sec instead. Or, you could substitute Grand Marnier, which also has orange flavors—but is considered more of a Curaçao and triple sec hybrid (source).
📖 Recipe
Spicy Pineapple Margarita
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons tequila (1.5 fl oz, see note 1)
- 1 tablespoon Cointreau (0.5 fl oz, see note 2)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (4 fl oz, see note 3)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (1 fl oz, about 1 lime)
- 2 tablespoons Jalapeño Simple Syrup (1 fl oz)
- Ice (divided use)
- Tajin (or Kosher Salt) & limes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine and shake: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice (see note 4 for pitcher instructions). Add tequila, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime juice, and Jalapeño Simple Syrup. Shake vigorously, until the outside of the shaker is chilled, 10 to 20 seconds.
- Serve: If garnishing the glass, run a lime wedge along the rim of the cocktail glasses, then dip it in Tajin (or salt). Fill glasses with ice, then pour the cocktail over top.
Notes
- Tequila: Blanco tequila is recommended. It is not aged, and therefore has a lighter flavor that works well in mixed cocktails like this one. Choose a tequila labelled "100% de agave" so you know it's not mixed with other spirits or additives.
- Cointreau: You can use another brand of Triple Sec instead. Or, substitute Grand Marnier.
- Pineapple Juice: Choose a pineapple juice that you enjoy sipping on its own. We recommend a fresh 100% pure pineapple juice, not from concentrate.
- To make a pitcher of margaritas (8 servings or 4 cups/1L excluding ice): In a pitcher, combine ¾ cup tequila, ¼ cup Cointreau, 2 cups pineapple juice, ½ cup fresh lime juice, and ½ cup Jalapeño Simple Syrup. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (can be made up to 6 hours in advance). Add ice immediately before serving.
- Garnishing: Although optional, we recommend garnishing the rim of the glass with Tajin (a chili, salt, and lime seasoning). You could also rim the glass with Kosher salt instead. If desired, top with a slice of fresh pineapple and/or edible flowers. For an even spicier cocktail, add sliced jalapeños (but taste first before adding).
Sara R says
SO SO yummy!
bri says
Hi Sara! Glad you enjoyed this recipe!
David J says
I saw these on Instagram and couldn't resist making them! So refreshing. We drank them so fast. Next time we're making a double batch. Thank you for this recipe!
bri says
Hi David! Wow, so quick! We LOVE that you've already made these and enjoyed them. Thanks so much!