Spicy Pineapple Margarita – A Couple Cooks

This spicy pineapple margarita recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy, made with fresh pineapple juice, tequila, lime juice, and a touch of jalapeno pepper!

Craving a classic cocktail with a spicy twist? Look no further than a spicy pineapple margarita! This refreshing drink combines the sweetness of pineapple with the subtle heat of jalapeño, creating a flavor explosion. As expert mixologists with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library, the margarita reigns supreme as our top cocktail to riff on. This sweet and spicy variation is a unique twist on this beloved classic!

What you need for a spicy pineapple margarita

This spicy pineapple margarita recipe is a spin on the classic margarita, one of the most famous cocktails of all time. This iconic drink was mostly likely invented in Mexico in the late 1930’s, and is part of the “Daisy” family of drinks built on a liquor, orange liqueur, citrus juice, and soda water. The classic margarita is made with tequila, orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec) and lime juice.

The spicy pineapple margarita is a spin on those classic flavors, with the addition of pineapple juice and jalapeno pepper slices that bring the heat. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 4 jalapeño pepper slices
• 1 ½ oz tequila blanco or reposado
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• ¾ oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• Tajin, for the rim

Customizing the heat level with jalapeño peppers

Jalapeño peppers can vary in heat level. So a spicy pineapple margarita can vary in heat level. Here are a few notes on customizing the heat in this drink:

• 4 thin jalapeno pepper slices with seeds make a medium spicy drink. 
• Add more for a spicier drink, or use less for a very mild drink. Start with 6 pepper slices for an even spicier drink, then taste and increase as necessary. Again, remember each pepper varies and some peppers have more seeds than other.

Variation: spicy pineapple margarita pitcher

Want to serve a spicy pineapple margarita for a crowd? The best way to make multiple margaritas at once is to make a pitcher. The margarita pitcher makes for 8 servings and you don’t need to shake up each drink separately. Stir ice right into the pitcher to chill and dilute the drink. Here’s what to do:

• Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 2 cups pineapple juice, ¾ cup Cointreau or Triple Sec, and ¾ cup fresh lime juice in a pitcher.
• Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold.
• Pour into the prepared glasses. 

For the rim: salt or tajín

You can use simple kosher salt for the rim of a spicy pineapple margarita, which accentuates its sweet fruity flavors. Or, consider adding tajín! Tajín is a Mexican seasoning blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt that adds a burst of tangy, spicy flavor to any dish. It makes a fun drink garnish here.

Garnish with a Fresno pepper or jalapeño 

For this spicy pineapple margarita, we garnished with a red Fresno pepper for fun and to add a little more color to the drink. While we didn’t use it in the drink itself, we like the bright red color it adds. You’re welcome to use a Fresno pepper in the drink if desired! Fresno peppers have a similar range of heat as a jalapeño, but can sometimes be even spicier.

We like the flavor notes that a jalapeño pepper adds outside of just heat, and the way it compliments the pineapple. If you’d rather, you can use jalapeño pepper slices as the garnish instead.

Use clear ice for presentation

For best presentation on a margarita on the rocks, use clear ice! Clear ice is crystal clear and you can cut it into organic shapes, making it look like the presentation at a restaurant or bar. There are two main ways to make clear ice:

• Use a small cooler and make it 24 hours in advance. Go to How to Make Clear Ice and make a batch the night before. Once you freeze it overnight, you can cut it into chunks.
• Or, use a clear ice tray. There are now many clear ice trays and makers on the market. Try this home clear ice maker.

More margarita recipes

There are so many spins on the classic margarita! Here are a few favorite margarita recipes: