✔ Updated · real measurements, step photos and a mocktail
Pineapple margaritas are my favorite weekend cocktail: tequila, pineapple juice, triple sec and lime, shaken until ice cold. They contain alcohol, so they're for adults of legal drinking age, and the mocktail is just as fun.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Go easy on the tequila. A heavy pour drowns out the pineapple; 1 1/2 ounces to 3 ounces of juice is the balance I like.
Why You'll Love This Margarita
- Tropical and tangy, with real pineapple flavor.
- Five minutes, with a shaker and a few ingredients.
- Easy to spice up, with a couple of jalapeno slices.
What You Need
- Silver tequila: 100 percent agave for the cleanest flavor.
- Pineapple juice: fresh blended and strained, or bottled 100 percent juice.
- Triple sec: any orange liqueur.
- Fresh lime juice: balances the sweetness.
- Salt or chili-lime seasoning: for the rim.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Fresh pineapple, brighter drink. Blending and straining fresh pineapple gives a frothy, vivid margarita. Bottled 100 percent juice works fine on a busy day.
- Spicy pineapple margarita. Muddle 2 jalapeno slices in the shaker before the ice goes in. Leave the seeds in if you like it hot.
- Make a pitcher. For 8 drinks: 12 ounces tequila, 3 cups pineapple juice, 4 ounces triple sec and 6 ounces lime juice. Stir and pour over ice.
- Mocktail. Skip the tequila and triple sec, shake the pineapple juice and lime with a splash of orange juice and a little agave, then top with sparkling water. I make a pitcher whenever friends come over.
- Enjoy responsibly. Each drink contains about 1 1/2 ounces of tequila. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US), and never drink and drive.
Fresh Pineapple Margarita
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minutesA fresh pineapple margarita: silver tequila, pineapple juice (fresh or bottled), orange liqueur and lime shaken hard with ice and poured into a salt-rimmed glass. Contains alcohol, for adults of legal drinking age. Optional jalapeno for a spicy version.
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces silver (blanco) tequila
3 ounces pineapple juice, fresh or 100% juice
1/2 ounce triple sec or other orange liqueur
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce agave nectar (optional)
kosher salt or chili-lime seasoning, for the rim
2 jalapeno slices (optional)
pineapple and lime wedges, to garnish
ice
Directions
- For fresh juice, blend about 1 cup of fresh pineapple chunks until smooth and strain through a fine sieve. You need 3 ounces per drink.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, dip it in salt and fill the glass with ice.
- Add the tequila, pineapple juice, triple sec, lime juice and agave (if using) to a shaker with ice. For a spicy version, muddle the jalapeno slices in the shaker first.
- Shake hard for 15 seconds, until the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into the glass over fresh ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge and lime. Serve right away.
Notes
- Garnishing is optional for decorative purposes.
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More Cocktails and Mocktails
For more summer drinks, try my watermelon margarita or a coconut rum cocktail, and browse my tequila cocktails. Not drinking? My virgin margarita is just as refreshing. Buying a whole fruit? Here's how to tell if a pineapple is ripe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make margaritas with fresh pineapple?
Yes, and they're delicious. Blend about 1 cup of fresh pineapple chunks per drink until smooth, then strain. Fresh juice is frothier and brighter than bottled.
What tequila is best for pineapple margaritas?
Silver (blanco) tequila is the classic choice because its clean flavor lets the pineapple shine. Reposado adds a little warmth and vanilla, which also pairs well with pineapple.
Can I make a frozen pineapple margarita?
Yes. Blend 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks with the tequila, triple sec, lime and 1/2 cup ice until smooth. Add a splash of pineapple juice if it's too thick.
What can I use instead of triple sec?
Any orange liqueur works, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier. For a lighter drink, skip it and add a little extra agave and a splash of orange juice.
How do I make a pineapple margarita mocktail?
Shake pineapple juice and lime with a splash of orange juice and a little agave, pour over ice in a salt-rimmed glass and top with sparkling water.
