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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Published: Jun 27, 2022 · Modified: Jul 4, 2022 by bri · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Spicy Pineapple Margarita

    These sweet and slightly spicy pineapple margaritas are a hit at summer gatherings. These cocktails are almost too easy to drink! Quick to make—and easily scaled up to a pitcher. Infused with jalapeño simple syrup and garnished with a tajin or salt rim.
    Jump to Recipe
    Spicy Pineapple Margarita in a glass with tajin salt rim.

    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!

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Method
    • How to make a pitcher of margaritas
    • Tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    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

    Ingredients to make Spicy Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita.
    • 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:

    A glass cocktail shaker filled with ice for Spicy Pineapple Margaritas.
    1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
    Pouring jalapeno simple syrup into cocktail shaker for Spicy PIneapple Margaritas.
    2. Pour in all the cocktail ingredients. Shake until well mixed and chilled.
    Rimming a glass with lime juice and Tajin for Spicy Pineapple Margaritas.
    3. If desired, run a lime slice along the rim of the glass, then dip the glass in Tajin (or kosher salt).
    Pouring Spicy Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita into a glass with ice.
    4. Fill the glass with ice and pour the cocktail into it. Sip and enjoy!

    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:

    1. Add all the ingredients to a serving pitcher.
    2. Cover and place the pitcher in the fridge to chill.
    3. 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

    How far in advance can I make a pitcher of these margaritas?

    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.

    What is triple sec?

    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.

    What's the best substitute for Cointreau in margaritas?

    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).

    Two cocktail glasses of Spicy Pineapple Margaritas on marble counter with fresh pineapple.

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    📖 Recipe

    Spicy Pineapple Margarita

    These sweet and slightly spicy pineapple margaritas are a hit at summer gatherings. These cocktails are almost too easy to drink! Quick to make—and easily scaled up to a pitcher. Infused with jalapeño simple syrup and garnished with a tajin or salt rim.
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 2
    Author: Bri
    Pin Recipe
    Spicy Pineapple Margarita in a glass with tajin salt rim.
    Print

    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)
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    1. 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.
    2. Cointreau: You can use another brand of Triple Sec instead. Or, substitute Grand Marnier.
    3. Pineapple Juice: Choose a pineapple juice that you enjoy sipping on its own. We recommend a fresh 100% pure pineapple juice, not from concentrate.
    4. 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.
    5. 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).

    Nutrition

    Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a rating below and tag us @evergreenkitchen on instagram!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. David J says

      June 28, 2022 at 4:11 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • bri says

        June 28, 2022 at 5:15 pm

        Hi David! Wow, so quick! We LOVE that you've already made these and enjoyed them. Thanks so much!

        Reply

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