These Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas are spicy, sweet, and perfectly tart. Pineapple juice and fresh squeezed lime juice are shaken with orange liqueur and tequila, and poured in to a spicy salt-rimmed glass. Hard to stop at one – this cocktail is a crowd pleaser! 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Did you know that while it translates similarly to the U.S. holiday (the 4th of July), Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day (it’s actually September 16th). Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican Army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.

You’re going to look so smart when you whip that historical tidbit out at your next party. You’re welcome.

But here in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has turned in to a celebration of Mexican culture, which I couldn’t be more OK with.

Enter: Pineapple Jalapeno Margaritas.

OH YES.

The pineapple? It makes this drink sweet – but a little sour, too.

The jalapeno? It offers a spicy kick in the back of your throat – but not so much that you can’t enjoy it.

The tequila? Well, what kind of party would it be without tequila?

Would any margarita be complete without a salted rim? Ummmmm I believe the answer is no?

DING DING DING! The trick is to get COARSE sea salt – none of that iodized table salt is welcome here, gracias.

Have a juicer? Bueno. Use it.

But if you don’t, fret not! You can easily use a blender or food processor, there will just be a bit more manual work on your end (read: straining…LABORIOUS, I KNOW). See notes at the bottom of the recipe for instructions.

If you’re planning on having a little gathering of friends to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (or, you know, any ole’ Tuesday), scale the recipe to make a big batch! There’s an adjuster below to scale the number of servings you’d like to make.

Just don’t be startled when you see your recipe calls for nearly 4 cups of tequila.

Which begs the question: what time should I be over?

Cheers!

Print Recipe

Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas

These Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas are spicy, sweet, and perfectly tart. Pineapple juice and fresh squeezed lime juice are shaken with orange liqueur and tequila, and poured into a spicy salt-rimmed glass.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Blanco Tequila, Cocktails, Drinks, Grilled Pineapple, Spicy Margarita

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

• 3 oz pineapple juice, fresh ideal
• 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice (about the juice of 1 lime)
• 1/2 oz Grand Marnier, or other orange liquer
• 1 1/2 oz blanco tequila
• 2 slices jalapeno
• 2 slices lime
• coarse sea salt

Instructions

• Muddle jalapeno and lime slices in a cocktail shaker. Top with ice.
• Add pineapple juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and tequila. Shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds.
• Wet the rim of your glass with a lime slice. Dip rim in coarse sea salt.
• Add ice, pour drink in to glass. Garnish with jalapeño slice, pineapple leaf, or a slice of fresh pineapple.

Notes

If you don't have a juicer or access to fresh pineapple juice, use a blender!

• Add pineapple, lime juice, Grand Marnier, and tequila to a blender. Blend for no less than 30 seconds.
• Muddle jalapeno and lime slices in a cocktail shaker.
• Strain liquid in to cocktail shaker, and add ice. Shake thoroughly.
• Wet the rim of your glass with a lime slice. Dip rim in coarse sea salt.
• Add ice, pour drink in to glass. Garnish with an extra jalapeno and pineapple slice.