Pineapple Margarita Recipe With Fresh Pineapple Juice

A Pineapple Margarita is a variation on the classic tequila-based Mexican cocktail. In addition to orange liqueur and lime juice, this cocktail also contains pineapple juice, either fresh-juiced or bottled. It is popular to add a mixture of sugar and chili powder on the rim of the cocktail glass for a Pineapple Margarita.

To make a Pineapple Margarita, you’ll need tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and pineapple juice:

1. 1. Tequila: There’s no way around it: great cocktails need a foundation of quality liquor. Tequila, made from the agave plant, has a distinct, somewhat herbaceous flavor that goes well with a sweet, fruity liqueur and the acidic, citrus kick of lime. To make a Pineapple Margarita, choose a mellow reposado, which is tequila aged in oak barrels for up to a year. This will nicely counterbalance the acidic potency of the pineapple juice. Tequila blanco, or silver tequila, will work in a pinch.
2. 2. Lime: Skip the Margarita mix. Freshly squeezed lime juice is the key to making the best Margarita. Keep extra limes on hand for garnish.
3. 3. Pineapple juice: You can usually find one-hundred percent pineapple juice at the grocery store; try to avoid the syrupy version in the mixers aisle. You can also use fresh-juiced pineapple.
4. 4. Orange liqueur: An orange-flavored triple-sec like Cointreau provides sweetness to balance the lime juice. If you don’t have Cointreau, try using Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored Cognac) or agave syrup.

Consider these possible substitutions and additions to a Pineapple Margarita:

1. 1. Make a spicy and sweet rim. Instead of salting the rim of the glass with kosher salt, try a mixture of sugar and chili powder. The sweet-and-spicy combination is an excellent complement to the flavors of pineapple, orange liqueur, lime juice, and tequila.
2. 2. Kick up the heat. To enhance the spiciness, consider adding a ring or two of sliced jalapeño to your Pineapple Margaritas.
   
3. 3. Boost the color. With a pinch of turmeric, you can make a brighter-yellow color in your cocktail. Turmeric may subtly affect the flavor.
4. 4. Swap tequila for mezcal. Mezcal is complex and smoky, and can add depth to your Pineapple Margarita.