Fresh and Spicy Pineapple Margarita

This tropical sweet and spicy pineapple margarita will transport you right to vacation. This cocktail is loaded with fresh pineapple juice, jalapeño, cilantro, fresh lime juice, and good tequila!

This is the perfect drink for you if you want a fresh, fruity, and spicy cocktail! All the sweetness comes from the cold-pressed pineapple juice, just a hint of agave, no overly sweet margaritas here!

Why you will love this recipe:

I love margaritas, but I often find that they are way too sweet. I much prefer a margarita that tastes mostly of fresh fruit and has just enough sweetener to complement the flavor of the fruit in the margarita. 

So in this recipe, there is no sweet orange liqueur, just a hint of agave to sweeten it. This leaves the drink tasting mostly of fresh pineapple and jalapeño.

This is a spicy margarita, but feel free to adjust how much jalapeno to the spicy level you are looking for. A spicy guide is on the recipe card. 

If your looking for more fresh margaritas check out these grapefruit and blood orange margarita recipes.

Key ingredients:

Blanco Tequila: the trick to a good margarita is good ingredients, so use good tequila- my favorites are Casamigos and Espolòn's Blanco. But here is a great list if you want more recommendations. Bonus points if you get one with notes of citrus. 

Fresh Cold-Pressed Pineapple Juice: you can use any type of pineapple juice you like, but I find that fresh cold-pressed tastes best! Just look for fresh pineapple juice with no added sweeteners.

Simple Syrup or Agave Nectar: this cocktail has just a bit of sweetener to perfectly balance and complement the pineapple juice. You can use agave, simple syrup, or even honey, whatever you have on hand. 

Lime Juice: no margarita is complete without lime juice!

Jalapeños: jalapenos, add the heat to the margarita, cut the pepper into about 1/2 centimeter slices, use 4 slices for a mild, 5 medium, and 6 for really spicy!

Cilantro: cilantro adds an herby and citrusy balance to the pineapple and jalapeño.

How to make this recipe:

This is so easy to make and feel free to adjust the amount of jalapeño to a spice level you're comfortable with.

1. Start by slicing the jalapeño into 1/2 centimeter slices and thinly slicing the fresh cilantro. 
2. Add the jalapeño, cilantro, and agave to a cocktail shaker and muddle. 
3. Add ice, followed by pineapple juice, lime juice, and tequila.
4. Shake for 10 seconds, then strain over ice into a salted glass. 

Tips and tricks for success:

• Make simple syrup by cooking 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small pot on medium heat until all the sugar had melted.
• If you don't have a muddler on hand you can use a wooden spoon to muddle the jalapeño and cilantro.
• Use a lime wedge to rim the edge of the glass and then roll the lime-soaked rim in salt. Use sea salt flakes for a more dramatic effect. 
• If you want even more spice, you can rim the edge of the glass with tajín!
• Really shake your margarita in the cocktail shaker to get a nice foam top.
• Garnish with pineapple slices, mint, and jalapeño slices.

FAQ:

Looking for other cocktail recipes?! Check these out!

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