Next time you need cocktails for a crowd, skip the cocktail shaker and whip up a batch of these pineapple jalapeño pitcher margaritas instead! The simple syrup is cooked with fresh jalapeño slices, which gives these margs a great kick of heat. Garnish with fresh pineapple and lime wedges!
Pineapple Jalapeno 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. Unlike traditional margaritas that need to be individually shaken, 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, all I have to do is fill some glasses with ice and serve!
Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita Recipe
- granulated sugar: brown sugar can be used instead!
- water: don’t reduce the amount or sub another liquid here.
- jalapeño peppers: fresh jalapeños work best. do not sub pickled jalapeños! in a pinch, use fresh serrano peppers instead.
- limes: you’ll need plenty of limes for this recipe! you’ll use the skin of the limes in the simple syrup, and you’ll use the juice in the margaritas. buy a couple of extras if you want some for garnish!
- tequila: blanco tequila works best! 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.
- 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 glasses!
Optional Ingredients
- salt: I suggest using coarse sea salt here, but any coarse salt will work.
- chili powder: gives the rim a nice spicy little kick!
- lime wedges: makes the drinks look pretty and can be squeezed into the drink for an additional kick of fresh lime juice.
- fresh jalapeño slices: adds some pizzazz to the drink and will also increase the spiciness levels. remove the seeds for less heat.
- fresh mint: makes the drinks look so pretty! you could also gently muddle some fresh mint in the bottom of your glass if you want extra mint flavor.
How to Make the Best Pineapple Jalapeño Margaritas:
- Make the Simple Syrup! This is the most time consuming step, but I promise you it’s 100% worth it. And it’s not even that time consuming! You should be able to have this ready to go in less than 30 minutes. And you can make it up to 2 weeks in advance. Simply store it in the fridge until needed. P.S. This simple syrup is so delicious drizzled on a grilled pineapple wedges! Trust me.
- Make the Margarita Mix! Which is as easy as busting out a large pitcher (affiliate link) and combining all of the ingredients. I recommend using all of the simple syrup, but if you want, you can add half, taste, and then add more if desired.
- Want a Spicy Chili Rim? If you, combine chili powder and salt on a small plate. The rim dip the rim of each glass into the salt.
- Garnish your Heart Out: 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. But add whatever you have on hand!
More of the Best Margarita Recipes:
- The Best 5-Minute Margarita
- Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas for a Crowd
- White Christmas Margaritas
- Cranberry Ginger Margaritas
- Easy Pomegranate Margaritas
Easy Pineapple Jalapeño Pitcher Margaritas
Ingredients
For the Jalapeño Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup (199g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (454ml) water
- 2 to 3 fresh jalapeno peppers sliced
- 2 2" long strips lime peel
For the Pineapple Jalapeño Pitcher Margaritas:
- 2 cups (454ml) blanco tequila
- 1 and 1/2 cups (340ml) pure pineapple juice
- 1 and 1/4 cups (284ml) orange liqueur
- 1 cup (227ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
- ice as needed
Garnish (Optional):
- 1 Tablespoon (14ml) coarse sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- lime wedges
- jalapeño slices
- fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
For the Jalapeño Simple Syrup:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, jalapeño, and lime peel. Bring to a rolling simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Then reduce to medium-low and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and set aside to cool for at least 20 minutes.
- Once cool, strain syrup into a large measuring cup, through a fine mesh strainer. Discard jalapeño peppers and lime peel. Set syrup aside until needed.
For the Pineapple Jalapeño Pitcher Margaritas:
- In a large pitcher combine the tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Then pour in all of the simple syrup and stir well to combine.
- Add a few slices of jalapeño and a few wedges of pineapple into the pitcher if desired.
Garnish (Optional):
- To salt the rim of the glasses, combine the salt and chili powder in a shallow dish. Run the edge of a lime around a glass, then dip the glass into the chili salt combination. Repeat with all glasses.
- Fill glasses with ice, then pour margarita mix on top. Garish with a pineapple wedge, a few jalapeño slices, and a sprig of mint and serve at once!
Love love love these – just a tad sweeter than I prefer but they were delicious! Next time I will cut back on the pineapple juice and add more lime jice!
Just made a batch of this and it’s really good, will definitely be making for my next get-together. How long do you think it will last in the refrigerator?
I’d say 2 days!
Love this recipe. Very good and will make them again.