Pineapple Daiquiri Recipe: How to Make a Pineapple Daiquiri

The Pineapple Daiquiri is a sweet, tropical spin on a classic Daiquiri: a cocktail made from just three ingredients—rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. A Pineapple Daiquiri introduces pineapple flavor to a classic Daiquiri recipe with fresh pineapple juice or pineapple-flavored rum.

Daiquiris are an example of a sour cocktail, a family of classic cocktails that contain liquor, an acidic element (typically a citrus juice like lemon or lime juice), and a sweetener. Other famous sours include the Whiskey Sour, Amaretto Sour, and the Margarita. Pineapple Daiquiris, in particular, are easy to confuse with Piña Coladas. Traditional Piña Colada recipes feature a blend of rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream.

The Pineapple Daiquiri lives somewhere in the summer cocktails hall of fame, alongside other favorites like the Margarita and the Mojito. Like Strawberry Daiquiris, many people assume a Pineapple Daiquiri is a frozen cocktail. While you can prepare it in a blender with extra ice (and sugar) for a slushy-style drink, the traditional cocktail recipe is shaken with ice and strained into a chilled cocktail glass. Here’s what else to know.

1. 1. Build pineapple flavor. Substitute pineapple rum for the white rum in a classic Daiquiri for a subtle suggestion of tropical flavor. Alternatively, muddle fresh pineapple chunks directly in a cocktail shaker, then add the rest of the ingredients. (The pineapple bits get strained out before serving.) Here’s how to choose a ripe pineapple.
2. 2. Use pineapple juice. Store-bought pineapple juice is an easy way to make Pineapple Daiquiris without carving a whole fruit. Check the label: Some pineapple juices contain added sugar or sweeteners. To maintain the drink’s sweet-sour-spicy ratios, adjust the amount of simple syrup you use, or skip it entirely.
3. 3. Change the rum. A classic Daiquiri features light rum, but try spiced or dark rum to see how the flavor profile shifts. Learn about different types of rum.