Loaded with refreshing flavor, these spicy pineapple margaritas are the perfect cocktail for cinco de mayo, summer, and beyond! No cocktail shaker required, this recipe makes a generously-sized pitcher that’s perfect for serving a crowd. Kosher salt and chili powder rim the margarita glasses for a stunning presentation! Serve with a pineapple wedge or frozen pineapple chunks.

Spicy Pineapple Margaritas

Question: What’s spicy and sweet… and the perfect weekend cocktail treat? Answer: SPICY PINEAPPLE MARGARITAS! An elevated version of my favorite quick cocktail: tequila and pineapple juice. These made-from-scratch spicy margaritas are super refreshing and easily serve a crowd.

Traditional margaritas need to be individually shaken with a cocktail shaker… but these are whipped up in a pitcher. This is one of my favorite cocktail recipes to make a couple of hours before a party. That way once my guests arrive, my prep time is 5 minutes. All I have to do is fill some glasses with ice and serve!

Pineapple Margarita Recipe

• Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar works best, but you can also use brown sugar – dark or light – as an alternative.
• Water: The base of our simple syrup. Don’t reduce the amount or sub another liquid here.
• Jalapeño Peppers: Fresh jalapeños work best. Do not sub pickled jalapeños, which will make the simple syrup taste awful! In a pinch, you can use fresh serrano peppers or habenaro peppers instead.
• Limes: You’ll need plenty of limes because you’ll use the peel in the simple syrup and the juice in the margaritas. Buy a couple of extras so you can garnish the margarita glasses with lime wedges.
• Tequila: If you can, I suggest using good quality tequila. Blanco tequila (silver tequila) works best, but you could use gold tequila! If you’re not a tequila fan, rum makes a delicious substitute.
• Pineapple Juice: If you can find it, I suggest using pure pineapple juice, not from concentrate. Or throw a bunch of ripe pineapple chunks into a blender and pulse smooth. Then strain the juice from the mixture.
• Orange Liqueur: I love Grand Marnier or Cointreau, but triple sec will work if it’s all you have.
• Ice: Gotta have crushed ice – or at least some basic ice cubes – to fill those margarita glasses! I don’t suggest serving without ice.

Optional Ingredients

• Salt: I suggest using coarse kosher salt here, but any coarse salt will work.
• Chili powder: Gives the rim a nice spicy little kick, this is my favorite chili powder.
• Lime Wedges: Make the drinks look pretty and can be squeezed into the drink for an additional kick of fresh lime juice.
• Pineapple Wedges: Make a pretty garnish and doubles as a little something to nibble on while you sip your cocktail.
• Fresh Jalapeño Slices: Adds some pizzazz to the drink and will also increase the spice levels. Remove the seeds for less heat. Or omit for less spice.
• Fresh Mint: Makes the spicy jalapeno margaritas look so pretty! You could also gently muddle some fresh mint in the bottom of your margarita glass for extra mint flavor.

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How to Make a Pineapple Margarita

1. Make the Simple Syrup: The most time consuming step, but I promise you it’s 100% worth it. You can make it up to 2 weeks in advance and store in the fridge until needed. Leftover syrup is delicious drizzled on a grilled pineapple wedges!
2. Make the Margarita Mix: As easy as busting out a large pitcher and combining all the ingredients. If you don’t have a large pitcher, use 2 smaller ones. I recommend using all the simple syrup, but you can add half, taste, and then add more if desired.
3. Spicy Chili Rim for the Margarita Glasses:  Combine the chili powder and salt on a small plate. The rim dip the rim of each margarita glass into the salt mixture. This part is 100% optional, so feel free to skip this step.
4. Garnish the Margarita Glasses: This is totally optional, but so fun! And a guaranteed way to make your cocktails look like they came from a fancy bar. I like to add sliced jalapeños, pineapple wedges, sprigs of mint, and lime wedges. But feel free to add whatever you have on hand!

Frozen Pineapple Margaritas: How to Make Frozen Margaritas

Want to make frozen margaritas? Follow the instructions below to make frozen pineapple margaritas! And be sure to have a high-powdered blender and frozen pineapple chunks on hand.

1. Make the recipe as directed. When you’re ready to serve, pull out your blender.
2. Add 3 cups of the margarita mixture to the blender. Add 3/4 cup of ice and 3/4 cup of frozen pineapple chunks. Blend until smooth. If your mixture looks too thin, add more ice and pineapple until you achieve the desired texture. 
3. Repeat with all margarita mix. Please note if you have a smaller blender you may need to use less margarita mixture so it doesn’t spill everywhere. Use your best judgement.

From cinco de mayo to summer parties to backyard barbecues… these easy pineapple jalapeno pitcher margaritas are perfect for almost any occasion!

More Classic Margarita Recipes: Perfect for Cinco de Mayo or Celebrations!

• The Best 5-Minute Margarita
• Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas for a Crowd
• White Christmas Margaritas
• Cranberry Ginger Margaritas
• Easy Pomegranate Margaritas