Spicy Pineapple Margarita

Raise your hand if you love spicy margaritas 👋🏼 How about Spicy Pineapple Margaritas made for two? Now what about a Spicy Pineapple Margarita with tequila AND mezcal?! That smoky-spicy combination really sets this pineapple margarita apart.

I made these pineapple margaritas spicy by using chile liqueur, but if you don’t have any you can omit the liqueur and use a jalapeño simple syrup instead (instructions below)! This is the perfect margarita for people who like their drinks with a little kick but also love a tropical cocktail. The Spicy Pineapple Margarita is the best of both worlds.

Watch me Mix a Spicy Pineapple Margarita

How to Make a Spicy Pineapple Margarita

1. To a cocktail shaker, add mezcal, tequila, pineapple juice, chile liqueur, orange liqueur (like Cointreau), lime juice, and agave syrup (or jalapeño simple syrup).
2. Add ice and shake vigorously.
3. Strain into two glasses rimmed with spicy salt and filled with ice.
4. Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy!

How to Make Jalapeño Simple Syrup

Making your own homemade simple syrup is super easy. Making it spicy is no different. In a saucepan over medium heat, add equal parts water and granulated sugar, plus 3-4 slices of jalapeño. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Let simmer for 2-4 minutes and remove peppers. Take off the heat and let cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. That’s it!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Mezcal and Tequila

I love a 50/50 margarita with smoky mezcal and bright tequila because the best of both get to shine without overwhelming each other or the cocktail. If you don’t like mezcal you can just use all tequila. My linked guides will tell you what bottles to buy and what to look for.

Pineapple Juice

If you want to juice your own pineapple, you totally can, but I just buy a good organic store-bought juice without too much added sugar so you can really taste the pineapple and the other ingredients without it being overly sweet. If your pineapple juice is on the sweeter side, reduce the agave syrup or skip it altogether.

Chili Liqueur

I’m obsessed with Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Liqueur. Use any spicy liqueur you prefer, or swap it for homemade jalapeño simple syrup.

Orange Liqueur

Triple Sec is the typical orange liqueur used in margaritas and it goes really well with the pineapple juice. I use the classic Cointreau, but any good quality kind of orange liqueur will do.

Lime Juice

If it’s not fresh, we don’t want it!

Agave Syrup

Agave syrup is one of the few syrups I recommend buying a bottle of instead of making yourself. Because tequila and mezcal are made from agave, agave syrup is a natural pairing. But, if you don’t have agave syrup, you can either swap it for homemade simple syrup using granulated sugar or skip the syrup altogether if your pineapple juice is plenty sweet.

Tips for Making the Best Spicy Pineapple Margarita

• Make sure all your ingredients are super cold! Yes, you will add ice to your glass, but it will dilute a lot slower if it starts out really cold.
• Buy good ingredients. Get your favorite bottles of tequila and mezcal when making margaritas because the flavor of the liquor really does come through and affects the whole drink. Good pineapple juice will also make or break this margarita.
• Always always always use fresh squeezed lime juice.
• Rim your glass by wetting it with cut lime and rolling it in salt. You can use flaky salt, kosher salt, or specialty cocktailing salts. You could also rim your glass with Tajin instead.
• Batch it and make Spicy Pineapple Pitcher Margaritas! Just multiply the amounts in the recipe by the number of people you’re serving, stir it all together in a pitcher, and serve in chilled, rimmed, glasses filled with ice when the guests arrive.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Pineapple Margarita

• The combination of mezcal and tequila make this spicy pineapple margarita unique. It adds an unexpected complexity that most other pineapple margaritas just don’t have. The combo also makes it a great cocktail for getting into mezcal without going all out right away.
• This margarita is perfect for those who like a Mezcalita, but want to try something a little different.
• Anyone who can’t drink enough tropical cocktails will love this margarita. The pineapple juice is sweet, juicy, fruity, and sour — the perfect addition to your everyday margarita.
• The Spicy Pineapple Margarita was made for Taco Tuesdays and Cinco de Mayo, but you will love it any day of the week, any time of year.

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