Pineapple Margarita Recipe

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Nothing says vacation like this tropical Pineapple Margarita recipe. Refreshing and delicious, this cocktail tastes like a summer day by the pool.

Yellow colored beverage in a margarita glass with pineapple and lime wheel on salted rim and other ingredients in background.

Though I’m always planning that next trip, sometimes life is too busy to get away. Luckily, we can take a trip to the tropics in our minds with this delicious drink.

It’s made with pineapple juice and coconut water, along with other classic margarita ingredients. Put your out-of-office on because you’re about to be on island time.

Five simple ingredients, along with tasty garnishes, will create this tropical cocktail that will have you thinking about seconds before you’ve even finished the first. Besides being delicious, this easy pineapple margarita recipe is a skinny version of the higher-calorie one. That means you can enjoy the perfect happy hour cocktail without guilt.

If margaritas are some of your favorite cocktails, you should also try this Frozen Coconut Margarita and this refreshing Mango Margarita.

What You Need to Make It

Tequila: we used Camarena Silver tequila.
Triple sec: gives the margarita a little extra sweetness.
Pineapple juice: you can use store-bought juice or you can use fresh pineapple juice.
Coconut water: gives the cocktail a subtle coconut flavor and a perfect tropical twist.
Fresh lime juice: adds a fresh and zesty flavor.
Fresh pineapple wedges or lime slices: added at the end for garnish.
Margarita salt: to rim the glass.
Ice
Margarita glasses: optional, but I love sipping a pretty cocktail!

Scroll down to the recipe card to get the full recipe and instructions.

Substitutions and Additions

I used silver tequila, but you can use any of your favorite types of blanco tequila or white tequila.

For a spicy pineapple margarita, swap the silver tequila for jalapeño-infused tequila (or use a splash of jalapeño juice from the jar) and garnish with fresh jalapeno slices.

For the orange liqueur, we used triple sec, but you can use Grand Marnier or orange Curaçao.

To turn this into a pineapple margarita sparkler, swap the coconut water with your favorite sparkling water or soda.

How to Make Pineapple Margaritas

Step 1. Prepare your garnish first.

Step 2. Run a wedge of lime around the rim of the glass. Turn the glass upside down and dip it in the margarita salt. Add some ice to your cocktail shaker.

Step 3. Pour in the sweet pineapple juice.

Pouring pineapple juice into a cocktail shaker with bottle of tequila, triple sec, coconut water, and fresh pineapple in background.

Step 4. Add the coconut water.

Pouring coconut water into a cocktail shaker with bottle of tequila, triple sec, pineapple juice, and fresh pineapple in background.

Step 5. Add the tequila.

Pouring tequila into a cocktail shaker with other ingredients in background on counter.

Step 6. Add the triple sec and lime juice.

Pouring triple sec into a cocktail shaker with other ingredients in background on counter.

Step 7. Shake the mixture well to chill.

Step 8. Pour the margarita into the rimmed glass and garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge, a lime wedge, or a combination of the two.

FAQs

Is this a sweet cocktail?

The sweetness of the pineapple juice gives it the perfect balance of sweetness. If you’d like a sweeter margarita, you can add a splash of simple syrup or agave syrup.

Can I make this a frozen margarita?

Of course! Just add the ice and other ingredients to a blender and give it a whirl.

What if I don’t like tequila?

No worries. You can use rum or vodka instead for a tasty and fun twist.

Top Tips for the Best Margarita

Fresh lime juice really makes this cocktail. If you end up buying limes that do not seem juicy enough, microwave them for about 10–15 seconds before juicing. This helps to loosen the juice inside.

Whenever serving cocktails, it’s always a good idea to serve some tasty small bites with them. Try these Asian-inspired Coca Cola Chicken Wings or this Brie Charcuterie Board to keep the party going for hours. Chips with some of our fresh peach salsa or watermelon salsa are other delicious options.

I like to freeze some coconut water into ice cubes and use them instead of regular ice cubes. As the ice melts, it won’t dilute the drink and will only add even more coconut flavor.

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