Turn up the heat this summer with our simple Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita recipe! This vibrant cocktail is a refreshing treat with Reposado Tequila, pineapple juice, fresh jalapeño, fresh pineapple, Triple Sec, a dash of lime & and a spicy salt rim.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Reposado Tequila
- ¾ oz Triple Sec
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz pineapple juice
- 2-3 slices of jalapeño - adjust to taste
- 1 slice fresh pineapple - diced
- Ice cubes
- Crushed salt - salt & black pepper mix or Tajin (for rimming, optional)
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail Strainer
Fine strainer
Muddler
Plate
Measuring Jigger
Margarita Glass
Prep Glass: Fill a Margarita glass with ice. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
Prep Shaker: In the shaker, put together 1 slice fresh pineapple, 2-3 slices of jalapeño, ½ oz fresh lime juice and ½ oz pineapple juice. Muddle well to extract the flavor from both the pineapple and the Jalapeño.
Add Tequila and Triple Sec: Once you’re done muddling, add 2 oz Reposado Tequila and ¾ oz Triple Sec to the mix.
Rim the glass (optional): Discard the ice inside the Margarita glass. Use a lime slice to slightly wet the rim of the glass and delicately press the edge of the glass into the surface of a plate filled with salt / salt & pepper mix / Tajin. Set it aside.
Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
Strain & Serve: Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the chilled Margarita glass and serve immediately.
Substitutes:
- Tequila: If you're out of Tequila, you can use mezcal for a smoky twist on this cocktail. Vodka or white rum can also be used as a substitute: both will give you a different flavor profile but work well with the pineapple and jalapeño.
- Fresh Lime Juice: I've used bottled lime juice instead of fresh in a pinch. The taste could be more brightly, but it does the job. Another option is to use fresh lemon juice.
- Pineapple Juice: If you don't have pineapple juice, try orange juice or mango juice for a twist.
- Triple Sec: Any kind of orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or curaçao, can be used to prepare this cocktail.
Making a Pitcher of Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Tequila, 6 oz of Triple Sec, 4 oz of lime juice, 4 oz of pineapple juice, 15-20 slices of jalapeño (adjust to taste) and 8 slices of fresh pineapple.
- Mix: Start by dicing the fresh pineapple. In a large pitcher, combine pineapple dices, jalapeño slices and fresh lime juice. Muddle well and let it rest for 5-10 minutes for the flavors to infuse. Then, add the Tequila, Triple Sec and pineapple juice. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice and pineapple and jalapeño slices. Serve immediately into chilled Margarita glasses rimmed with salt and black pepper. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; several on the market do a good job mimicking Tequila's flavor. Otherwise, you can use fresh orange juice as a substitute. You can also try making your own substitute by mixing together water, a pinch of smoked salt, a splash of tonic and a bit of agave syrup (to taste).
- Triple Sec Substitute: Opt for an orange extract mixed with a bit of simple syrup to mimic the sweet citrus flavor of Triple Sec. If you have a bit of time, you can infuse a simple syrup with orange: simply add orange peels to the syrup, store in the fridge and let it infuse for at least two days.
- Proceed As Usual: Use thes non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular Tequila and Triple Sec, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including Tequila and Triple Sec, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.